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2026 model year · Midsize pickups

Ford Ranger vs Nissan Frontier

The Ranger tows 7,500 lb, the Frontier 7,150 lb. Ford Ranger and Nissan Frontier side by side, 2026 model year, from the makers’ own documents.

This page compares the 2026 Ford Ranger (Ranger P703, 2022–present) and 2026 Nissan Frontier (Frontier D41, 2022–present): the newest model year in which both have maker figures, in US-market units. Newer model years in our data (Frontier 2027) have too few maker figures to compare, so the page uses the newest year in which both have enough.

Max towing
7,500 lb vs 7,150 lb
Max payload
1,767 lb vs 1,590 lb
Curb weight
5,363 lb vs 4,865 lb

01 / Verdict

Ranger or Frontier: who leads on what

Each line is the maker’s top figure for each model across its configurations. A lead is on that best configuration, so it depends on cab, bed, engine, axle and options; the closest matching trucks are compared below. Only a maker’s own figure decides a lead.

Towing and GCWR
The Ranger tows 7,500 lb, the Frontier 7,150 lb. The Ranger leads by 350 lb on its best configuration.
Payload and GVWR
The Ranger carries 1,767 lb of payload, the Frontier 1,590 lb. The Ranger leads by 177 lb on its best configuration.
Ground clearance and angles
Only the Ranger has a ground clearance figure in our data: it has 10.7 in of ground clearance. The Frontier has none, so no leader is named. At the best configuration: approach angle Ranger 33.0°, Frontier 32.3°; breakover angle Ranger 24.2°, Frontier 20.7°; departure angle Ranger 26.4°, Frontier 23.0°.
Dimensions
Length: Ranger 210.6–210.9 in, Frontier 210.2–224.1 in; width: Ranger 75.5–79.8 in, Frontier 73.0–74.7 in; height: Ranger 74.4–75.9 in, Frontier 71.3–72.9 in; wheelbase: Ranger 128.7 in, Frontier 126.0–139.8 in.
Curb weight
Curb weight: Ranger 4,240–5,363 lb, Frontier 4,385–4,865 lb.
Tires
Factory tire sizes. Ranger: 255/70R17, 255/65R18, LT285/70R17. Frontier: 265/70R16, 265/65R17, 265/70R17.
Fuel tank
Fuel tank: Ranger 18.7–20.3 gal, Frontier 21.0 gal.

02 / Side by side

Every figure, group by group

Each cell is the range across the maker’s 2026 configurations of that model, with the small number of the document it comes from. A figure that is an estimate, an owners’ report or a third-party figure wears its mark and never decides a lead; a group where one model has no maker figure says so.

Towing and GCWR

MakerUS units

Ford Ranger and Nissan Frontier: towing and gcwr
FigureFord Ranger2026Nissan Frontier2026Leads
Max towing3,500–7,500 lb source 16,270–7,150 lb source 2Ranger +350 lb
GCWR11,465–12,745 lb source 111,960 lb source 2Ranger +785 lb

“Not published”: the maker doesn’t print it. —: not in the documents we hold yet. Scroll the table sideways for every column.

Payload and GVWR

MakerUS units

Ford Ranger and Nissan Frontier: payload and gvwr
FigureFord Ranger2026Nissan Frontier2026Leads
Max payload1,373–1,767 lb source 31,100–1,590 lb source 2Ranger +177 lb
GVWR6,050–6,790 lb source 36,012 lb source 2Ranger +778 lb at the top

“Not published”: the maker doesn’t print it. —: not in the documents we hold yet. Scroll the table sideways for every column.

Ground clearance and angles

MakerUS units

Ford Ranger and Nissan Frontier: ground clearance and angles
FigureFord Ranger2026Nissan Frontier2026Leads
Ground clearance9.3–10.7 in source 3not in our datano maker figure for one
Approach angle30.2–33.0° source 329.0–32.3° source 2Ranger +0.7°
Breakover angle23.0–24.2° source 318.9–20.7° source 2Ranger +3.5°
Departure angle25.8–26.4° source 321.4–23.0° source 2Ranger +3.4°

“Not published”: the maker doesn’t print it. —: not in the documents we hold yet. Scroll the table sideways for every column.

Dimensions

MakerUS units

Ford Ranger and Nissan Frontier: dimensions
FigureFord Ranger2026Nissan Frontier2026Leads
Length210.6–210.9 in source 3210.2–224.1 in source 2Frontier +13.2 in at the top
Width75.5–79.8 in source 373.0–74.7 in source 2Ranger +5.1 in at the top
Height74.4–75.9 in source 371.3–72.9 in source 2Ranger +3.0 in at the top
Wheelbase128.7 in source 3126.0–139.8 in source 2Frontier +11.1 in at the top
Bed length59.6 in source 359.5–73.3 in source 2Frontier +13.7 in at the top

“Not published”: the maker doesn’t print it. —: not in the documents we hold yet. Scroll the table sideways for every column.

Curb weight

MakerUS units

Ford Ranger and Nissan Frontier: curb weight
FigureFord Ranger2026Nissan Frontier2026Leads
Curb weight4,240–5,363 lb source 34,385–4,865 lb source 2Ranger +498 lb at the top

“Not published”: the maker doesn’t print it. —: not in the documents we hold yet. Scroll the table sideways for every column.

Tires

MakerUS units

Ford Ranger and Nissan Frontier: tires
FigureFord Ranger2026Nissan Frontier2026Leads
Factory tire sizes255/70R17, 255/65R18, LT285/70R17 source 3265/70R16, 265/65R17, 265/70R17 source 2

“Not published”: the maker doesn’t print it. —: not in the documents we hold yet. Scroll the table sideways for every column.

Fuel tank

MakerUS units

Ford Ranger and Nissan Frontier: fuel tank
FigureFord Ranger2026Nissan Frontier2026Leads
Fuel tank18.7–20.3 gal source 321.0 gal source 2Frontier +0.7 gal at the top

“Not published”: the maker doesn’t print it. —: not in the documents we hold yet. Scroll the table sideways for every column.

SourcesMakerThe small number by a figure says which document it is from.
  1. 12026 Ford Ranger Towing Guide · Ford Motor Company
  2. 22026 Nissan Frontier Press Kit (specifications and pricing) · Nissan North America
  3. 32026 Ford Ranger Pickup Technical Specifications (01/13/26 V1.0) · Ford Motor Company

Documents last checked . How we read them and what the marks mean: how we source the numbers. A figure doesn’t match its document? Report a wrong number.

03 / Like for like

The closest matching configurations

Ranges mix every cab, bed and engine. Here is one configuration of each, matched on the options that change the figures most, named as the maker names it.

Ford Ranger
2026 XL SuperCrew 4x4 2.3L
Nissan Frontier
2026 S Crew Cab 4x4
Ford Ranger and Nissan Frontier, closest matching configurations
FigureRangerFrontierLeads
Max towing3,500 lb source 16,960 lb source 2Frontier +3,460 lb
GCWR12,590 lb source 111,960 lb source 2Ranger +630 lb
Max payload1,763 lb source 31,330 lb source 2Ranger +433 lb
GVWR6,270 lb source 36,012 lb source 2Ranger +258 lb
Ground clearance9.3 in source 3not in our datano maker figure for one
Approach angle30.2° source 331.4° source 2Frontier +1.2°
Breakover angle23.0° source 320.6° source 2Ranger +2.4°
Departure angle25.8° source 322.4° source 2Ranger +3.4°
Curb weight4,462 lb source 34,626 lb source 2Frontier +164 lb
Length210.6 in source 3210.2 in source 2Ranger +0.4 in
Wheelbase128.7 in source 3126.0 in source 2Ranger +2.7 in
Factory tire sizes255/70R17 source 3265/70R16 source 2
Fuel tank18.7 gal source 321.0 gal source 2Frontier +2.3 gal
  • Each is its model’s lowest trim in a crew cab with four-wheel drive and the shortest bed, with the first engine and gearbox the maker lists for it.
  • A figure marked “with” needs that factory package; one without is the configuration as it comes.

04 / Top figures

Which configuration earns each top figure

The leads above are between each model’s best configuration. Here is which configuration that is, and the factory package it needs.

Ford Ranger

  • Max towing 7,500 lb: XL SuperCrew 4x2 2.3L with Trailer Tow Package (53R)
  • GCWR 12,745 lb: XLT SuperCrew 4x4 2.7L
  • Max payload 1,767 lb: XL SuperCrew 4x2 2.3L
  • Approach angle 33.0°: Raptor SuperCrew 4x4 3.0L
  • Breakover angle 24.2°: Raptor SuperCrew 4x4 3.0L
  • Departure angle 26.4°: Raptor SuperCrew 4x4 3.0L

Nissan Frontier

  • Max towing 7,150 lb: S King Cab 4x2
  • GCWR 11,960 lb: S King Cab 4x2
  • Max payload 1,590 lb: S King Cab 4x2
  • Approach angle 32.3°: PRO-4X Crew Cab 4x4 LWB
  • Breakover angle 20.7°: S King Cab 4x4
  • Departure angle 23.0°: PRO-4X Crew Cab 4x4 LWB

05 / Keep going

Both models, and other matchups

All vehicle comparisons · Rankings · How we source the numbers

06 / FAQ

Questions people ask

Which tows more, the Ranger or the Frontier?

The Ranger tows 7,500 lb, the Frontier 7,150 lb. The Ranger leads by 350 lb on its best configuration. This is the maker’s top figure for each model across its 2026 configurations; what a given truck can do depends on its cab, bed, engine, axle and options.

Which has more payload, the Ranger or the Frontier?

The Ranger carries 1,767 lb of payload, the Frontier 1,590 lb. The Ranger leads by 177 lb on its best configuration. This is the maker’s top figure for each model across its 2026 configurations; what a given truck can do depends on its cab, bed, engine, axle and options.

Which has more ground clearance, the Ranger or the Frontier?

Only the Ranger has a ground clearance figure in our data: it has 10.7 in of ground clearance. The Frontier has none, so no leader is named. This is the maker’s top figure for each model across its 2026 configurations; what a given truck can do depends on its cab, bed, engine, axle and options.

How do the Ranger and the Frontier compare in size?

Length: Ranger 210.6–210.9 in, Frontier 210.2–224.1 in; wheelbase: Ranger 128.7 in, Frontier 126.0–139.8 in. The range runs across cab, bed and wheelbase choices.

Which model years does this Ranger vs Frontier comparison use?

This page compares the 2026 Ford Ranger (Ranger P703, 2022–present) and 2026 Nissan Frontier (Frontier D41, 2022–present): the newest model year in which both have maker figures, in US-market units. Newer model years in our data (Frontier 2027) have too few maker figures to compare, so the page uses the newest year in which both have enough.