Back in the early ’60s, President John F. Kennedy spoke of the New Frontier. He meant outer space, but it could really apply to any area that has been unexplored up until now. This could mean a place, a concept or theory, or even a brand new vehicle. If you want to cross into an area that has never been explored before, then you can head over to your Nissan Frontier dealer to see what this respected Japanese automaker has done to the concept of the midsize pickup truck. The 2022 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X is the top trim of this all-new pickup truck, and it represents an attempt to boldly go where no other midsize truck has gone before.
Nissan has been building midsize trucks under the Frontier name for over 20 years but has taken steps to create an all-new model that truly embraces the concepts put forward by that name. The PRO-4X is not just another midsize truck designed for the off-roading niche. It is a truck that is at home on the road as it is off the road, with luxurious details that make it a great ride if you’re looking to take a date out and powerful capabilities that make it ideal for work as well.
One Powerful Engine to Rule Them All
Nissan has decided to make one engine standard on all models of the 2022 Frontier, including the PRO-4X, and it is amazing. This is a 3.8-liter DOHC V6 gas engine with direct fuel injection. It is paired with a 9-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission that has been tuned to maximize engine efficiency and to give this engine a serious boost in the acceleration department. You can expect to get 310 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 281 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. This is the best-in-class horsepower for any midsize truck available today.
All of that horsepower and torque are not just for show. The 2022 Nissan Frontier can tow up to 6,720 pounds and carry up to 1,610 pounds of cargo in its payload bed with 40.1 cubic feet of bed volume. As Jared Haslam, Nissan’s vice president of Product and Services Planning for the US and Canada points out, “It’s a truck in every sense of the word, with a true personality unlike any other – a complete package of capability, durability, comfort, technology, and style.” While so many other midsize pickup trucks are one-trick ponies designed for off-roading, luxury, or commercial purposes, the Nissan Frontier PRO-4X gives you all of these capabilities in one truck.
Built to Cross Any and All Frontiers
The 2022 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X was built to give you capabilities beyond any others you may have dreamed of. This is because Nissan has made sure to pull out all the stops in equipping the Frontier PRO-4X with standard gear to protect you on and off the road. It starts with an independent double-wishbone front suspension with a stabilizer bar and an overslung multi-leaf rear suspension with a solid Dana rear axle. This will give you an exceptional ride over whichever frontiers you may cross.
A set of Bilstein off-road performance shock absorbers will smooth out all the rough spots you may encounter on the trail. There is a rear stabilizer bar as well to give you the ultimate in suspension performance. The Frontier has a body-on-frame construction with a full-length, fully-boxed ladder frame for added support and durability.
The PRO-4X is available in 4×4 only. This is a switch-on-the-fly 4-wheel drive system, allowing you to go from 2-wheel drive for improved highway driving and fuel economy to both 4HI and 4LO depending on road and trail conditions. This is provided courtesy of a switch-operated 2-speed transfer case. Supplementing the 4×4 drivetrain’s performance is an electronic locking rear differential.
Where other midsize trucks are just pretenders when it comes to off-roading, with their manufacturers thinking that a 4-wheel drivetrain is sufficient, Nissan goes the extra yard with the 2022 Frontier PRO-4X. Standard underbody steel skid plates protect the undercarriage of your truck, with placement over the front, fuel tank, oil pan, and transfer case, making sure you don’t do any damage as you traverse boulders and logs, and ford creeks and riverbeds. The Frontier PRO-4X rides on 17-inch dark finished aluminum alloy wheels fitted with all-terrain tires. Beadlock-style wheels are available as an optional feature.
Crossing these obstacles will be easier than ever in the Frontier PRO-4X if you choose to equip it with the available Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection and Off-Road Mode. This exclusive feature will allow you to spot obstacles that may be hidden to the naked eye, making off-roading safer than ever in the Frontier PRO-4X. Images will appear on your 9-inch touchscreen, standard with the NissanConnect infotainment system.
Looks That Are Built to Thrill
Nissan has given the new Frontier looks that pay tribute to the previous model while looking forward to a brighter tomorrow. The exterior has a broader stance with a more buff, chiseled appearance. You will also get your choice of 9 different exterior colors, including new colors such as Boulder Gray Pearl, Tactical Green Metallic, Baja Storm, and Cardinal Red Metallic. The PRO-4X model takes this design approach and runs away with it, adding a number of trim specific items. This includes a dark gray front grille with black inner liner, black overfenders, tailgate spoiler, and lava red front tow hooks that not only provide a striking contrast to the exterior paint but will also come in handy if you hit an off-road obstacle. LED fog lights will also help get you where you need to go after dusk, while overhead cargo bed lights will make loading and off-loading your Frontier easier at night.
The 2022 Frontier PRO-4X is crew cab only, so you will have plenty of room for up to 5 passengers. They are sure to be amazed by the comfortable Zero Gravity seats. These provide exceptional lateral support, a real bonus when you’re out on an especially challenging trail. The interior features PRO-4X embroidered seats with a gorgeous charcoal color offset by lava red stitching. There is also a leather-wrapped steering wheel and leather-wrapped shift knob for added comfort.
Completing the package is the NissanConnect system with a 9-inch color touchscreen, the largest on any midsize pickup truck. This features a 6-speaker audio system, with a 10-speaker Fender premium audio system available as an option. You also get a complimentary 3-month subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio, including SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link, which will help you get to wherever you’re going safer and easier. One of the best features of the NissanConnect system is the ability to turn your 2022 Frontier PRO-4X into a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot. This will help keep you and your passengers connected wherever your Frontier may take you.
With this much luxury in a midsize pickup truck, you might forget yourself and think you are driving a high-end sedan or SUV. This is something that truly sets the 2022 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X apart from its competitors. As Jared Haslam points out, “The all-new Frontier is a truck you’ll feel proud to have in your driveway – and everywhere you go.”
Pushing the Boundaries in Your Frontier PRO-4X
Someone once said that the only limits are the ones we place on ourselves. That person must have been thinking about the 2022 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X, which seems to have no limits to its capabilities. It provides you with exceptional performance on and off the road, incredible luxury, and the ability to carry heavy cargo and tow trailers with ease. Unlike other midsize trucks that make you choose between performance, luxury, and utility, the Nissan Frontier PRO-4X does all of these and more, crashing through boundaries and forging new frontiers.
