Compare the2027 Nissan Frontier VS 2027 Slate Truck

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Nissan Frontier are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Frontier are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Nissan Frontier has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Frontier has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Frontier has standard Rear Automatic Braking that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Frontier offers four-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer four-wheel drive.

The Frontier’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The Frontier PRO-X/PRO-4X offers an optional Around View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Slate Truck only offers a rear monitor.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Frontier’s standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

The Frontier’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

The Frontier has standard NissanConnect Services, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer a GPS response system, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Frontier and the Slate Truck have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes and rearview cameras.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Frontier third among midsize pickups in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Slate Truck isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Frontier’s 3.8 DOHC V6 produces 129 more horsepower (310 vs. 181) and 86 lbs.-ft. more torque (281 vs. 195) than the Slate Truck’s electric motor.

For better traction, the Frontier has larger tires than the Slate Truck (265/70R16 vs. 245/65R17). The Frontier S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Slate Truck (265/70R16 vs. 255/70R17).

The Nissan Frontier’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Slate Truck only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Frontier has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Frontier has a standard full size spare so a flat doesn’t interrupt your work or a trip. A full size spare costs extra on the Slate Truck. Without the option you must depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Frontier King Cab’s wheelbase is 17.1 inches longer than on the Slate Truck (126 inches vs. 108.9 inches). The Frontier LWB Crew Cab’s wheelbase is 30.9 inches longer than on the Slate Truck (139.8 inches vs. 108.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Frontier is 1.4 inches wider in the front and 1 inch wider in the rear than on the Slate Truck.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Frontier has standard flush composite headlights. The Slate Truck has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The front grille of the Frontier uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Frontier King Cab has standard seating for 4 passengers; the Slate Truck Regular Cab can only carry up to 2.

The Frontier King Cab has .8 inches more front legroom, 2.2 inches more front hip room and 2.5 inches more front shoulder room than the Slate Truck Regular Cab.

The Frontier King Cab has a much larger cargo box than the Slate Truck Regular Cab (49.6 vs. 35.1 cubic feet).

The Nissan Frontier offers an optional rear cargo step, which folds out and allows for much easier access to the cargo area. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer a rear cargo step.

The Frontier’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Slate Truck’s (6760 vs. 1824 pounds).

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Frontier uses the Vehicle Dynamic Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Frontier has a higher maximum payload capacity than the Slate Truck (1590 vs. 1550 lbs.).

The Frontier offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Frontier’s standard power windows allow the driver or passenger to lower and raise the windows without leaning over or being distracted. Power windows cost extra on the Slate Truck.

The Frontier’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children from operating them. Slate does not offer a locking feature on the Slate Truck’s optional power windows.

The Frontier’s driver’s power window lowers with one touch of the window control, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths. The Slate Truck’s optional power windows’ switch has to be held the entire time to open it fully.

The Frontier King Cab offers two rear doors to provide better access for cargo and rear passengers. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer a rear door.

The Frontier’s speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Slate Truck’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Frontier’s optional rear view mirror has an automatic dimming feature. This mirror can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on it, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer the luxury of an automatic dimming rear view mirror.

The Frontier (except S) offers optional heated front seats, which keep the driver and front passenger extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the Slate Truck.

On extremely cold winter days, the Frontier’s optional (except S) heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Frontier (except S)’s optional dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

The Frontier (except S)’s optional automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the Frontier Crew Cab has standard rear heat vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer rear vents.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Frontier has a standard Intelligent Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

To direct the driver from any location to a given street address, a GPS navigation system is available on the Frontier PRO-X/PRO-4X. The Frontier’s navigation system also has a real-time traffic update feature that offers alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The Slate Truck doesn’t offer a navigation system.

With standard voice command, the Frontier offers the driver hands free control of the radio and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer a voice control system.

The Frontier is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access to more content and better coverage than the Slate Truck, which solely provides FM radio. With AM radio, you can enjoy a wider variety of stations featuring news, talk shows, sports commentary, native language programing, automated traffic guidance, and emergency broadcasts. AM waves travel further and penetrate buildings and obstacles more effectively than FM signals, especially at night. Having both FM and AM stereo radios the Frontier offers a more comprehensive listening experience compared to only FM in the Slate Truck.

HD Radio boasts several benefits over conventional radio: superior sound quality with clearer and consistent FM broadcasts, CD-quality audio, and Multicast Channels offering up to four streams from a single station, adding programming choices. Cars like the Frontier equipped with available HD Radio provide an improved in-car entertainment experience. The Slate Truck, devoid of this technology, foregoes these benefits. Selecting the Nissan Frontier empowers drivers to enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience while on the go.

Compared to the Slate Truck’s traditional radio, the Nissan Frontier SV/PRO-X/PRO-4X equipped with standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks.

Bluetooth wireless connectivity is standard on the Frontier, connecting the driver’s and/or passengers’ cell phones to the vehicle infotainment system. This allows them to use the vehicle’s stereo and hand controls to place calls safely and easily. Bluetooth costs extra on the Slate Truck.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Nissan Frontier PRO-X/PRO-4X offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Nissan Frontier, based on reliability, safety and performance.