(February 6, 2020) CHICAGO — A new heart beats in the 2020 Nissan Frontier, helping lay the foundation for the all-new, next generation Frontier coming next year. The 2020 Frontier features an all-new, powerful 310-horsepower 3.8-liter direct injection V6 engine and all-new 9-speed automatic transmission — both of which will be key elements in the next-generation Frontier.

With an all-new Frontier on the horizon, Nissan has a proud history of innovation in the compact truck segment. The company invented the compact pickup segment in the U.S. in 1959, when the Datsun 220 became the first compact pickup imported to this country.

Other Nissan truck milestones include the introduction of the first half-ton compact pickup in 1969 (Datsun 520) and the first King Cab model in 1983.

This summer, Nissan will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Datsun 720 hardbody pickup, one of the most iconic vehicles in company history.

The future of the Nissan Frontier, however, begins now. For 2020, the all-new 310-horsepower direct injection V6 replaces the previous 152-horsepower inline 4-cylinder and 261-horsepower 4.0-liter V6 engine choices. Along with best-in-class horsepower, torque is rated at 281 lb-ft. The all-new engine is mated with a standard 9-speed automatic transmission, replacing the previous 5-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmissions.

Development of the all-new engine, which previews the powertrain expected to be offered in the next-generation Frontier, focused on the needs and demands of truck owners in the U.S. The engine features 93 percent new or redesigned parts, and the powerplant underwent extensive testing in North America. The engine will be assembled at Nissan’s advanced engine facility in Decherd, Tenn., alongside the full-size Titan pickup’s 5.6-liter Endurance V8.

Along with the 49-horsepower improvement over the previous Frontier V6, fuel economy is expected to increase. Key technical features in the design of the all-new engine include the direct injection gasoline system, cylinder heads with integrated exhaust manifolds, a variable displacement oil pump, variable timing control and a variable tumble control valve.

Also contributing to the 2020 Frontier’s improved acceleration and fuel economy is the all-new 9-speed automatic transmission. It is similar to the new 9-speed automatic introduced on the 2020 Titan and is designed to maximize powertrain efficiency and provide enhanced acceleration feel.

With enhancements such as an expanded lockup area, a new high-response electro-hydraulic system, long input shaft and a 99 percent larger gear range, the transmission offers quick, crisp and direct shift response throughout the entire gear range. The 9-speed automatic transmission is also significantly quieter than the previous 5-speed automatic due to a centrifugal pendulum absorber.

The 2020 Frontier is available in rear-wheel drive or available shift-on-the-fly 4-wheel drive system with 2WD/4HI/4LO modes and electronically controlled part-time transfer case.

The suspension includes an all-steel double-wishbone front suspension and solid axle leaf rear suspension with overslung leaf springs with long suspension stroke for optimized off-road ride and ground clearance. Steering is provided by a power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering system, while 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes are also standard on all grades.