PROS Handsome styling • Reasonably good at most truck chores • Marginally better than before
CONS Dated ride/handling, power, 4WD hardware, safety technology • Heavy steering • Uncomfortable back seat
The styling did nothing to dampen our hopes; the new Frontier’s looks captivated us. We found it handsome and chunky, aside from the accessory “sport bar” we thought ruined the pickup’s proportions. (Still, we’ll keep it in mind should we ever feel the need to employ the Frontier for an overland expedition.)
VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, 4WD, 5-pass, 4-door truck ENGINE, TRANSMISSION 3.8L direct-injected DOHC 24-valve 60-degree V-6, 9-speed automatic CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 4,966 lb (55/45%) WHEELBASE 139.8 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 224.1 x 74.7 x 72.9 in EPA City/Hwy/Comb 17/22/19 mpg
But once we drove the Frontier, delight quickly turned to disappointment. We knew the new model was built around a modified version of the old truck’s frame—no big sin there—but we didn’t expect the whole creation to feel so dated. The almost complete lack of innovation was a real letdown. Features editor Christian Seabaugh summed up our thoughts: “It’s like reanimating a corpse: new heart, new lungs, but the bones are old and brittle. This was the perfect time for Nissan to raise the bar. Instead, it did … this.”
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der February 2022-Ausgabe von Motor Trend.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der February 2022-Ausgabe von Motor Trend.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
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MOTORTREND SUV OF THE YEAR 2024 - CERTIFIED FRESH
THERE’S NO REST FOR SUV MAKERS IN THE INTENSE QUEST TO BE THE BEST
THE CHEVROLET BLAZER EV IS THE 2024 SUV OF THE YEAR
Once again, the bow-tie brand shows leadership in the electric vehicle space
AGENTS OF ZERO
WE DID IT AGAIN: RUNNING OUR VW ID4 EV OUT OF ELECTRICITY, JUST TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS
THEY LISTENED
THE NEW TESLA MODEL 3 HIGHLAND FIXES NEARLY EVERYTHING WE HATED ABOUT THE OLD CAR
2023 Lexus RZ
Lexus says it will make only battery-powered vehicles by 2035, and the new RZ 450e is the brand’s first dedicated EV. This midsize crossover indicates Lexus’ future lineup will have luxurious appeal, but we find this first effort lacking in crucial areas.
2024 Land Rover Defender
The Defender 130 is a tricky one to judge. On one hand, it potentially improves upon a design and package we previously lauded enough to crown as our 2021 SUV of the Year in the form of the standard Defender 110. The 130 is more than a foot longer than the 110 and has more room for people and stuff, stretching the existing design into a new body style. (The 130’s wheelbase remains unchanged.)
2024 Kia Seltos
If you’ve been a fan of Kia’s recent styling direction but don’t want to pay top dollar for it, the 2024 Kia Seltos is a great way to get a rolling piece of that design aesthetic at a reasonable price.
2023 Jeep Compass
When asked to identify an off-road vehicle, the average person will point to just about any Jeep.
2024 Hyundai Kona
The Kona enters its second generation for 2024 with a new design language. It’s larger than the outgoing Kona, too, and its uncommonly ornate (for this class) and unmistakable design is something we’re already seeing in other upcoming Hyundai products. Having really liked the previous Kona, would our judges warm to this one?
2023 Ford Escape
The Escape is one of those SUVs that hasn’t ranked at the top of its class for a long time, but every time we drive one, we’re pleasantly surprised. Although it perpetually feels a little outdated, there’s some inherent goodness baked into the Escape.