- Nissan says it is ‘too V6 to stop.’
- The corporate stays dedicated to providing a V6 engine on the Frontier.
- Different firms, like Chevy, Ford, and Toyota, have downsized.
Everyone seems to be downsizing—even on the truck facet. Practically each mid-size pickup from the Chevrolet Colorado and Ford Ranger to the enduring Toyota Tacoma packs a base four-cylinder engine in 2026. The one truck maker that doesn’t supply a base four-cylinder engine on its mid-sizer? Nissan, and the corporate plans to maintain it that method.
In a recent interview with Nissan’s Senior Supervisor of Product Planning, Brent Hagan, he tells Motor1 that the corporate is leaning arduous into its V6 roots. Actually, the corporate formally designated Could 5 as “V6 Day”—you may need seen a number of movies floating round on social media selling that truth. Brent says:
‘Our inner tagline is ‘We’re too V6 to stop,’ as a result of we constructed our heritage on V6s, from the GT-R and Xterra to the present Frontier and Pathfinder. We have generations upon generations of V6s, and it does give us a differentiator as a result of we’re utilizing tried-and-true expertise that is sturdy, dependable, and of top quality. Our VQ38 is produced right here in america, so it is made in America, by People, for People—and it has the Japanese high quality and reliability.’
Picture by: Nissan
Based on Hagan, mid-size truck clients need V6s. Even some Ford and Toyota devoted have reportedly thought-about Nissan given the Frontier’s naturally aspirated six-cylinder engine. As Brent notes:
‘I see lots of people posting not too long ago saying, ‘I am a Toyota man, or I am an XYZ firm man. I have been with them for some time, however they’ve gone away from V6s, and I actually choose V6. I choose the linearity. I choose the sturdiness. I choose the general efficiency, and I’ve by no means thought-about a Nissan or a Frontier, however now I am taking a look at it due to the V6.’ So we all know it’s a differentiator for certain.’
The 2026 Frontier comes commonplace with a 3.8-Liter V6 engine making 310 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque, whatever the trim. It’s paired to a nine-speed automated transmission and, relying on the way you spec it, is out there with four-wheel drive.
Whereas the rugged Professional-4X sits atop the Frontier vary, the latest arrival of the Frontier Sport unlocks a number of off-road goodies at a extra reasonably priced worth. Patrons get entry to issues like an aluminum skid plate, 17-inch off-road-style wheels, fog lights, Darkish Armor accents—and naturally, don’t neglect that V6.
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Supply: Nissan
Motor1’s Take: Nissan is dedicated to the V6. Whilst different firms downsize, the Frontier is devoted to protecting the naturally aspirated V6 alive—hopefully that carries over to the subsequent technology.
