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2026 model year · Midsize pickups

Nissan Frontier vs Toyota Tacoma

The Frontier tows 7,150 lb, the Tacoma 6,500 lb. Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma side by side, 2026 model year, from the makers’ own documents.

This page compares the 2026 Nissan Frontier (Frontier D41, 2022–present) and 2026 Toyota Tacoma (Tacoma 4th gen, 2024–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
7,150 lb vs 6,500 lb
Max payload
1,590 lb vs 1,710 lb
Curb weight
4,865 lb vs 5,410 lb

01 / Verdict

Frontier or Tacoma: 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 Frontier tows 7,150 lb, the Tacoma 6,500 lb. The Frontier leads by 650 lb on its best configuration.
Payload and GVWR
The Frontier carries 1,590 lb of payload, the Tacoma 1,710 lb. The Tacoma leads by 120 lb on its best configuration.
Ground clearance and angles
Only the Tacoma has a ground clearance figure in our data: it has 11.5 in of ground clearance. The Frontier has none, so no leader is named. At the best configuration: approach angle Frontier 32.3°, Tacoma 35.7°; breakover angle Frontier 20.7°, Tacoma 27.4°; departure angle Frontier 23.0°, Tacoma 25.3°.
Dimensions
Length: Frontier 210.2–224.1 in, Tacoma 213.0–226.2 in; width: Frontier 73.0–74.7 in, Tacoma 76.9–77.9 in; height: Frontier 71.3–72.9 in, Tacoma 73.7–74.7 in; wheelbase: Frontier 126.0–139.8 in, Tacoma 131.9–145.1 in.
Curb weight
Curb weight: Frontier 4,385–4,865 lb, Tacoma 4,145–5,410 lb.
Tires
Factory tire sizes. Frontier: 265/70R16, 265/65R17, 265/70R17. Tacoma: 245/70R17, 265/70R17, 265/65R18, 265/70R18.
Fuel tank
Fuel tank: Frontier 21.0 gal, Tacoma 18.2 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

Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma: towing and gcwr
FigureNissan Frontier2026Toyota Tacoma2026Leads
Max towing6,270–7,150 lb source 13,500–6,500 lb source 2Frontier +650 lb
GCWR11,960 lb source 18,105–11,550 lb source 221 of 27 configsFrontier +410 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

Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma: payload and gvwr
FigureNissan Frontier2026Toyota Tacoma2026Leads
Max payload1,100–1,590 lb source 11,230–1,710 lb source 3Tacoma +120 lb
GVWR6,012 lb source 15,605–6,835 lb source 3Tacoma +823 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

Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma: ground clearance and angles
FigureNissan Frontier2026Toyota Tacoma2026Leads
Ground clearancenot in our data11.5 in source 31 of 27 configsno maker figure for one
Approach angle29.0–32.3° source 132.8–35.7° source 32 of 27 configsTacoma +3.4°
Breakover angle18.9–20.7° source 123.8–27.4° source 32 of 27 configsTacoma +6.7°
Departure angle21.4–23.0° source 122.1–25.3° source 32 of 27 configsTacoma +2.3°

“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

Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma: dimensions
FigureNissan Frontier2026Toyota Tacoma2026Leads
Length210.2–224.1 in source 1213.0–226.2 in source 3Tacoma +2.1 in at the top
Width73.0–74.7 in source 176.9–77.9 in source 323 of 27 configsTacoma +3.2 in at the top
Height71.3–72.9 in source 173.7–74.7 in source 321 of 27 configsTacoma +1.8 in at the top
Wheelbase126.0–139.8 in source 1131.9–145.1 in source 3Tacoma +5.3 in at the top
Bed length59.5–73.3 in source 160.3–73.5 in source 3Tacoma +0.2 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

Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma: curb weight
FigureNissan Frontier2026Toyota Tacoma2026Leads
Curb weight4,385–4,865 lb source 14,145–5,410 lb source 3Tacoma +545 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

Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma: tires
FigureNissan Frontier2026Toyota Tacoma2026Leads
Factory tire sizes265/70R16, 265/65R17, 265/70R17 source 1245/70R17, 265/70R17, 265/65R18, 265/70R18 source 3

“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

Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma: fuel tank
FigureNissan Frontier2026Toyota Tacoma2026Leads
Fuel tank21.0 gal source 118.2 gal source 3Frontier +2.8 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 Nissan Frontier Press Kit (specifications and pricing) · Nissan North America
  2. 22026 Tacoma Owner's Manual (OM04051U) · Toyota Motor North America
  3. 32026 Tacoma Product Information · Toyota Motor North America

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.

Nissan Frontier
2026 S Crew Cab 4x4
Toyota Tacoma
2026 SR Double Cab 5-ft bed 4x4
Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma, closest matching configurations
FigureFrontierTacomaLeads
Max towing6,960 lb source 13,500 lb source 2Frontier +3,460 lb
GCWR11,960 lb source 18,435 lb source 2Frontier +3,525 lb
Max payload1,330 lb source 11,380–1,705 lb source 3Tacoma +375 lb
GVWR6,012 lb source 16,005 lb source 2Frontier +7 lb
Ground clearancenot in our dataup to 11.5 in source 3no maker figure for one
Approach angle31.4° source 1up to 35.7° source 3an “up to” figure, not this configuration’s
Breakover angle20.6° source 1up to 27.4° source 3an “up to” figure, not this configuration’s
Departure angle22.4° source 1up to 25.3° source 3an “up to” figure, not this configuration’s
Curb weight4,626 lb source 14,485–4,720 lb source 3Tacoma +94 lb
Length210.2 in source 1213.0 in source 3Tacoma +2.8 in
Wheelbase126.0 in source 1131.9 in source 3Tacoma +5.9 in
Factory tire sizes265/70R16 source 1245/70R17 source 3
Fuel tank21.0 gal source 118.2 gal source 3Frontier +2.8 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.

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

Toyota Tacoma

  • Max towing 6,500 lb: SR5 XtraCab 6-ft bed 4x2
  • GCWR 11,550 lb: TRD Off-Road Double Cab 6-ft bed 4x4
  • Max payload 1,710 lb: TRD Sport Double Cab 5-ft bed 4x4 i-FORCE MAX
  • Approach angle 35.7°: TRD Pro Double Cab 5-ft bed 4x4 i-FORCE MAX
  • Breakover angle 27.4°: TRD Pro Double Cab 5-ft bed 4x4 i-FORCE MAX
  • Departure angle 25.3°: TRD Pro Double Cab 5-ft bed 4x4 i-FORCE MAX

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 Frontier or the Tacoma?

The Frontier tows 7,150 lb, the Tacoma 6,500 lb. The Frontier leads by 650 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 Frontier or the Tacoma?

The Frontier carries 1,590 lb of payload, the Tacoma 1,710 lb. The Tacoma leads by 120 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 Frontier or the Tacoma?

Only the Tacoma has a ground clearance figure in our data: it has 11.5 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 Frontier and the Tacoma compare in size?

Length: Frontier 210.2–224.1 in, Tacoma 213.0–226.2 in; wheelbase: Frontier 126.0–139.8 in, Tacoma 131.9–145.1 in. The range runs across cab, bed and wheelbase choices.

Which model years does this Frontier vs Tacoma comparison use?

This page compares the 2026 Nissan Frontier (Frontier D41, 2022–present) and 2026 Toyota Tacoma (Tacoma 4th gen, 2024–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.