Should You Take the 2022 Nissan Frontier Off-Road?

The 2022 Nissan Frontier is a solid pick for off-road driving. Click here for more details!
Written by Sophie Boka
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
If you’re looking for a new off-roading vehicle that won’t break the bank, then the
2022 Nissan Frontier
might be for you.
Drivers who love the thrill of off-roading know to look out for certain specs when purchasing a new vehicle—not all cars are up to the challenge. But what exactly do these drivers look for? And how do they decide which model is right for them? 
If you’re considering the 2022 Nissan Frontier for off-roading, you’re in luck. Meet
Jerry
, the #1-rated car insurance
super app
here to help you break down the specs to determine whether or not this ride is the one for you.

Can the 2022 Nissan Frontier go off-road?

Yes! The 2022 Nissan Frontier can absolutely go off-road. Off-roading is in its blood—er, motor oil? Anyway, bad jokes aside, the Frontier was built to explore, hence the name.
The 2022 Frontier is the model’s third generation, updated with a new suspension and modern interior. It’s a rugged solid ride, and its updates offer a feeling of
luxury
from within.
While all that sounds and is truly great, the Frontier’s main selling point is its price. Some off-roading vehicles with fancy features will empty your pockets. But the 2022 Nissan Frontier starts at a reasonable $28,690.
Intrigued? Let’s take a closer look at its specs.

Ground clearance

What spec is the best tell of a vehicle’s off-roading capacity? Ground clearance. What’s ground clearance? In short, it’s the space between your vehicle and the ground, as measured from the lowest point on your chassis. 
The higher your ground clearance, the better the vehicle is for off-roading. Why? If you’re driving over rugged terrain, your car won’t be dinged up—pretty straightforward. Ideal ground clearance for an off-roading vehicle would fall somewhere between 8.8 and 10.8 inches.
The 2022 Nissan Frontier falls right in the middle of that range, coming in at 9.3 inches

Torque

We always hear about a vehicle’s horsepower, but speed isn’t as important when you’re off-roading. Instead, drivers pay more attention to
torque
—better torque helps you keep traction with the ground. When scoping out vehicles, you’ll want to look out for ones with low-end torque, which gives you more torque at a lower rpm.
Under the 2022 Nissan Frontier’s hood is a V6 engine and 9-speed automatic transmission with a max torque of 281 @ 4400 rpm.

Tires

Depending on your trim, your Frontier will come with either P265/70SR16 or P265/65SR17 all-season tires, or P265/70SR17 all-terrain tires
When you’re off-roading, you’re looking for tough tires that can handle rough surfaces. All-season tires are good, but the all-terrain tires are ideal—as made clear by the names.
Of course, you’re not stuck with the manufacturer's pick. You can always purchase alternative tires. And if you do, pay attention to that diameter number. One way to bump up your ground clearance is with bigger tires.

Drivetrain

Another way to identify an off-roading vehicle is by checking out the drivetrain. Off-roading vehicles tend to be built with four-wheel drive. 4x4 gives power to the whole vehicle, dispersing torque and increasing traction throughout. 
The Frontier’s base model comes in rear-wheel drive, like most performance vehicles. But you can opt for 4x4 on the S, SV, and Pro-4X trims

Angles

Off-roaders approach driving from a different angle—literally. They forgo easy streets in exchange for boulders, lakes, and dunes. To ensure that your vehicle is up for tricky terrain, you’ve got to check out its approach angle and departure angle
The approach angle is the maximum angleyour vehicle can scale without any interference. And your departure angle is the maximum angle your car can descend without interference.
The 2022 Frontier’s max approach angle is 30.4 inches, and its max departure angle is 21.9 inches. Those specs are passable. But for more serious off-roading, you’ll want higher angles—somewhere in the 40s or 50s would be ideal

Off-road rating: Trail Boss

Ready to round up these specs? We’ll sum up with the help of
Jerry’s
DIRT rating system. Here’s the rubric:
Rating
Meaning
Description
D
Don’t Try It
Vehicles better suited to highway conditions
I
In a Pinch
Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances
R
Rough and Ready
Vehicles designed for casual off-roading
T
Trail Boss
True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain
How does the 2022 Nissan Frontier stack up in our book? Go ahead and smack a T on that bumper—but with an asterisk
The Frontier is a great off-roading vehicle truly meant to tackle a range of terrain when it's properly outfitted with the 4x4 drivetrain. But if you go with the RWD, we’d downgrade its rating to an R.
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The best off-road alternatives to the 2022 Nissan Frontier

All in all, the 2022 Nissan Frontier is a solid choice for off-roading. But we get it—there are a lot of fish in the sea. If you want to see out your options, we’ve got you covered—here are a few other models in its peer group to consider.
Alternative
Model
Price
Description
Best speed options alternative
2022 Ford Ranger
$25,980
The 2022 Ford Ranger gives a great transmission range, suited with a 10-speed automatic.
Best environmentally-friendly alternative
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning
$41,769
This 2022 electric vehicle was built with off-roading in mind, and you’ll conserve energy while doing so. Win, win.
Best fan-favorite alternative
2022 Chevrolet Colorado
$26,930
Do a quick search, and you’ll find the Chevrolet Colorado is a fan favorite amongst off-roaders, with many packages intended to enhance your off-roading experience.
MORE:Cheap off-road trucks

How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles

Off-roading entails risk—that’s part of the fun! But that fun can come at a cost, and it’s not just at purchase. When you drive an off-roading vehicle, insurers view you at a higher risk, so your premium can get pretty pricey.
That’s why it’s imperative to scope out car insurance deals before committing to a policy. You want to ensure you’re getting the best bang for your buck. But that can take time, which has its own value. 
Switch with Jerry, and we’ll save you time and money. No, seriously.
Jerry
is the #1-rated insurance app in the App Store designed to get you the lowest rates on car insurance.
The best part? It’s easy. Just download the app, tap in your info, and within seconds we’ll scan the market and generate customized quotes from 55+ companies tailored to your needs.
Pick your plan, and our team of experts will take it from there. We handle the paperwork and the annoying phone calls, and we can even help you cancel your old policy!
Our drivers end up saving a ton of time and over $800 dollars each year on car insurance—both of which you can better spend off-roading in your new vehicle.
“My policy covers two people and four cars: a truck, SUV, convertible, and muscle car.
Jerry
helped me go from paying $308 a month to $125 a month with the same coverage. I’m loving the savings.” —Jocelyn A.
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