2022 Nissan Frontier Trim Levels, Configurations & Comparisons.

Nissan has given the Frontier pickup truck a welcome makeover for the 2022 model year. It now has strong angles on its body and a sculpted exterior, and it comes in four trims. The S and SV kick things off. They're followed by the PRO-X, which is a new trim, and the PRO-4X is the most advanced trim available.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier feels modern in many ways. Stylistically, it has a lot to appreciate both inside and outside of the cabin. It has advanced technology and many available driver-assist safety systems, and it comes with a solid engine that gives it great capability.

This guide will review what each Nissan Frontier trim has to offer. Prospective customers should be able to gain useful information that can help them decide which type of Frontier to get.

Compare the S vs SV Trim Levels. What is the difference?

It's important to start out by mentioning that there are different configurations that some trims can have. Take the S and SV, for starters. They can either have King Cabs or Crew Cabs. Either way, they'd have the same exact overall length. The difference lies in how big the beds and cabins are.

With a King Cab configuration, the bed measures 73.3 inches long, and there is room in the second row for two passengers. Second-row leg room is 26.2 inches. This doesn't give passengers that much space to move around, but some drivers won't be frequently transporting more than one adult passenger.

With the Crew Cab configuration, the bed is shortened to 59.5 inches while the cab is extended. A Crew Cab has 33.2 inches of rear-seat leg room and can fit three people in its back seat. This is more practical for those who anticipate having rear-seat passengers ride with them.

The SV offers yet another choice to consider. It can come with a Crew Cab and a long truck bed. In this case, the truck bed measures 73.3 inches, and there would still be room for five people in the cabin. An SV Crew Cab with a long bed is about fourteen inches longer than all of the other types of Frontiers.

Regardless of what type of configuration is selected, the Nissan Frontier uses a 3.8-liter V6 engine. All trims benefit from having this V6, which delivers 310 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque. The S and SV use nine-speed automatic transmissions and are available with either a 4x2 or a 4x4 drivetrain. In the case of the 4x2 models, they would have rear-wheel drive.

On the exterior of the S, there are 16-inch steel wheels. Those are upgraded to 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels on the SV. Both trims have rear privacy glass, a tailgate spoiler, bed lights in the cargo area, LED taillights, and a dampened assist tailgate. The SV benefits from having power outside mirrors, a sliding rear window, and body-color door handles and side mirrors instead of black ones. It also comes with the option to get heated side mirrors, a power moonroof, a spray-on bedliner, LED signature headlights, and LED fog lights.

In the cabin of the S, the seating and amenities are pretty standard. The driver's seat is manually operated, and there are cloth seats and black door handles. There are numerous storage compartments around the cabin as well as map lights and remote keyless entry with push button start.

With the SV, the cabin is a bit nicer. For instance, the door handles are chrome, the seats are covered in premium cloth, and the driver's seat is a six-way power-adjustable version with two-way manual lumbar support. The SV also comes with the option to get numerous upgrades, which include smart key entry, a dual-zone climate system, leather seats, and heated front seats. The long bed version of the SV actually has a few extra standard components, like a leather-wrapped steering wheel and remote engine start.

In terms of technology, the S has plenty to appreciate. It basically comes with the same package as the SV has. That package includes an eight-inch touchscreen and a seven-inch display behind the steering wheel. Voice recognition, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Siri Eyes Free, and Bluetooth are all standard. These are the components that many customers want to have in their next vehicles, so this is a huge selling point.

The S and SV have six-speaker sound systems, but the SV can be upgraded at an additional cost to have a Fender sound system with ten speakers. The two trims have two USB-A ports and a pair of USB-C ports, and they have SiriusXM Radio, too.

For 2022, Nissan did put in some attractive safety features into the Frontier. All trims have cruise control and rearview monitors, as well as driver alertness, trailer sway control, and hill start assist. The S and SV have intelligent forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection.

Unfortunately, the list of standard driver-assist technologies ends there. If anyone wants blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic assist, or rear automatic braking, then one would have to pay extra to put in those systems. They would come as part of the available Technology Package, which costs just shy of $1,000.

Compare the SV vs PRO-X. What is the difference?

The PRO-X has been beefed up in many ways, as will be detailed below, but interestingly, it's limited to having rear-wheel drive. That's right, the SV is available with four-wheel drive, but the PRO-X isn't. Like the SV, the PRO-X does have a tow-haul mode switch.

On the PRO-X, there are Bilstein off-road performance shock absorbers. These can enhance performance when dealing with challenging conditions, as they're built to withstand all the bumps that are associated with trails.

Nissan has given the PRO-X the same safety systems that the SV has. Like the SV, it can be enhanced with a package that gives it a comprehensive array of driver-assist technologies. However, traffic sign recognition is optional on the PRO-X but not on the SV, and the same is true for the intelligent around view monitor.

The PRO-X has a more athletic look to it than the lower trims do. Its 17-inch wheels have a dark finish, and it comes with all-terrain tires. The PRO-X has several more exterior components that make it look more modern and more refined. They include LED signature headlights, LED Daytime Running Lights, and LED fog lights, all of which are optional on the SV but not standard. In addition, the PRO-X has black overfenders, a black front bumper, and a dark gray front grille. The tow hooks on the front are painted a bright lava red, which can really stand out.

Inside the cabin of the PRO-X, there are embroidered seats with the trim logo on them. The steering wheel and gear shifter are wrapped in leather, and the lava red stitching on the seats matches the tow hooks up front. More lava red is found on interior accents throughout the cabin.

To keep people comfortable, the PRO-X has an automatic climate control system with two zones. For convenience, there's an overhead console that's perfect for holding sunglasses, and there are illuminated vanity mirrors and LED map lights. Beyond just having remote keyless entry, the PRO-X has a Nissan Intelligent Key system. With this program, the truck can sense when the key fob is in close proximity. When it is, the truck will unlock its doors when the driver touches the sensor on the door handle.

Navigation becomes standard on the Frontier at the PRO-X level. Nissan Door to Door Navigation with Premium Traffic can prove to be very valuable, as it can guide drivers around areas of congestion. SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link plays a similar role. Wi-Fi is also standard with this trim. This can be useful to those who frequently stream content while on the road. Wireless charging is an option on the PRO-X but not on the lower trims.

A slightly larger touchscreen is included with the PRO-X. This screen measures nine inches instead of eight, and this little difference can be meaningful to tech-oriented consumers.

Important to some is the fact that the PRO-X has NissanConnect technology. This gives people access to all kinds of information. There's a concierge available with this system, and the person on the other end of that line can help schedule vehicle service, get tickets to an event, and call for roadside assistance. With a special app on a smartphone, a user can remotely start the engine, lock or unlock the doors, and find the exact location of the Frontier.

Compare the PRO-X vs PRO-4X. What is the difference?

In contrast to the PRO-X, the PRO-4X only comes with a 4x4 drivetrain. Like the previous trims that can have 4x4 drivetrains, it has a switch-operated two-speed transfer case. Unique to the PRO-4X is an electronic locking rear differential. It enhances traction when the truck is dealing with mud, rocks, sand, and other types of low-friction terrain. The PRO-4X has the same off-road performance shock absorbers as the PRO-X has, so it's ready for anything.

Going along with its more athletic appearance and more capable components, there are some exterior upgrades. The PRO-4X is the only trim to have an aluminum front skid plate and underbody skid plates to protect the various parts under the truck.

Inside its cabin, it has a few exclusive features. There are special carpeted floor mats as well as seats that have the trim logo on them.

Remember that the PRO-X can come with an optional intelligent around view monitor. On the PRO-4X, that monitoring system is enhanced with off-road mode. Additionally, any Frontier that has four-wheel drive has hill descent control. This program can prevent the truck from picking up too much speed as it drives down hills.

Final Thoughts

To be honest, the upgrades in the PRO-X and PRO-4X might not be worth their costs. Yes, these two trims have navigation and larger touchscreens, in addition to some stylistic details. They also have off-road shocks. However, average drivers probably won't need those shocks.

If navigation is a must-have for a buyer, then one of these two top trims have to be selected. When rear-wheel drive is sufficient, the PRO-X would do just fine. The PRO-4X brings four-wheel drive to the table.

If navigation is not necessary, as it might not be for budget-conscious consumers, then the S is more than sufficient. The S trim has smartphone connectivity, a comfortable cabin, a functional truck bed, a solid V6 engine, and an optional 4x4 drivetrain. This may be all that some consumers are looking for.

The bonus is that it's the most affordable trim in the lineup. The King Cab is the cheapest option, with the Crew Cab configuration being slightly more expensive.