
A mid-size pickup with a wide range of talents, the Nissan Frontier is the mechanical twin of the Suzuki Equator, which is sold by that Japanese automaker under license from Nissan.
The Equator's also built in Tennessee, and could be a good deal, provided you can find one at a Suzuki dealer.
The Toyota Tacoma is refreshed for the 2012 model year with a new interior and new connectivity via smartphones.
The Honda Ridgeline hasn't changed much, and while its short bed has lots of hiding places for toys and tools, it's still not much more flexible or useful than the four-door Frontier, though it can be a lot more expensive.
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Quick Specs | ||
You may not need to go full-size--the 2012 Nissan Frontier pickup truck can cover a lot of the same ground a bigger pickup can. |
The 2012 Honda Ridgeline won't satisfy those who need a real full-size truck, but for those who need hauling on occasion, it offers an interesting alternative. |
The 2012 Toyota Tacoma's affordable price, fuel-efficiency, and simplicity make it a good, capable alternative for those who don't need a full-size truck. |
MSRP From | ||
$19,260 | $29,350 | $17,125 |
Gas Mileage | ||
14 MPG City / 23 MPG Hwy | 15 MPG City / 21 MPG Hwy | 15 MPG City / 25 MPG Hwy |
Engine | ||
Gas 4-cyl | Gas V6 | Gas I4 |
EPA Class | ||
N/A | 4WD Standard Pickup Truck | N/A |
Style Name | ||
2WD King Cab I4 Manual S | 4WD Crew Cab RT | 2WD Reg Cab I4 MT (GS) |
Drivetrain | ||
Rear Wheel Drive | Four Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
Passenger Capacity | ||
4 | 5 | 3 |
Passenger Doors | ||
N/A | N/A | N/A |
Body Style | ||
King Cab | 4 Door Crew Cab | Regular Cab |
Transmission | ||
Manual | Automatic | Manual |
Detailed Spec Comparison | ||
2012 Nissan Frontier vs. 2012 Honda Ridgeline | 2012 Nissan Frontier vs. 2012 Toyota Tacoma |