--- title: "What to expect from the next-gen 2021 Nissan Frontier" url: "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2020/08/what-to-expect-from-the-next-gen-2021-nissan-frontier/" publisher: "Pickup Truck + SUV Talk" content_signal: "search=yes, ai-input=yes, ai-train=no" author: "Jill Ciminillo" published: "2020-08-26T14:10:38+00:00" modified: "2026-08-19T15:37:28+00:00" image: "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2021-Nissan-Frontier-Spy-Shot-Nissan-Nation-2.jpg" --- # What to expect from the next-gen 2021 Nissan Frontier By Jill Ciminillo Published: 2020-08-26T14:10:38+00:00 Updated: 2026-08-19T15:37:28+00:00 ![Featured image]() ![2021 Nissan Frontier]() 2021 Nissan Frontier Spy Shot (Image courtesy of Nissan Nation) The Nissan Frontier is currently in its last generation, and while we know a 2021 next-generation reveal is imminent, we haven’t gotten too many details – or even a good glimpse at mules in camouflage. But that’s starting to change. We received the spy shots attached to this story from [Nissan Nation Productions](), which managed to snap some images of a mule near Nashville, Tennessee. From this brief look, we see a lot of Titan cues. \[embedyt\] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qq\_MZsYcVTY\[/embedyt\] ### **Tailgate twins** From the location of the taillights to the dominant horizontal indent, we see a lot of Titan here. There’s also a similar jut to the top lip of the tailgate, and though it’s unclear through the window and camouflage, it appears the tailgate release and Nissan badging will be similarly styled and placed to the current-gen Titan. ### **Strong horizontal lines** One of the spy shots gives a pretty decent side view, which shows a bulging horizontal design element on the lower quarter of the door panels. This, too, is very Titan-esque. ![2021 Nissan Frontier]() 2021 Nissan Frontier Spy Shot (Image courtesy of Nissan Nation) ### **Frontier stamped on top of front grille?** While we don’t see a full-on frontal shot, we do get enough of a look to see the nose has a similar slope to the Titan, and the bulges and lines surrounding the grille indicate the new Frontier grille will be wider and bigger. We have to assume that if the new Frontier is playing twinsies with Titan, we’ll also “FRONTIER” stamped on the top portion of the grille. I know Nissan Nation is hoping this isn’t the case, but we don’t have a real problem with it. ### **Wheel wells can accept big tires** From the side view, you can tell the 2021 Frontier will lose the bulbous fender flares in favor of something more sleek and streamlined. Curiously, though, unlike the Titan, the wheel wells themselves look a little more squared off — but as Nissan Nation points, out with plenty of room to add larger, aftermarket tires for some off-road shenanigans. ![2021 Nissan Frontier]() 2021 Nissan Frontier Spy Shot (Image courtesy of Nissan Nation) ### **The bottom line on the 2021 Nissan Frontier** There are really only two things Nissan has firmly revealed about the upcoming Frontier. First, It will get the same 3.8-liter V-6 engine and 9-speed automatic transmission, which debuted in the 2020 Frontier. Second, the Canton Vehicle Assembly Plant in Mississippi will build it. Other than that, we have rumors and speculation and the certain knowledge that it won’t have a manual transmission. The current [base price for Frontier is $26,790]() – and that’s on the high side for a midsize truck (for example, the GMC Colorado starts at $22,200) – so we have to wonder if there might be some price management that debuts for 2021 as well. With the [Titan potentially leaving the U.S.](), it will be interesting to see how Frontier is not only styled but also positioned. We don’t have any launch details yet, but as a 2021 model we expect it to be revealed soon and on sale by the end of 2020. Related posts: > [Breaking news: 2021 Nissan Titan, 2021 Titan XD Canadian sales ending]() > [Nissan Reveals Pricing For 2020 Frontier, Starts At $26,790]() > [2021 Nissan Frontier Could See Price Increase According To New Report \[Video\]]() ## Related vehicle coverage - [2021 Nissan Frontier]() ## Structured page information ~~~json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Article", "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2020/08/what-to-expect-from-the-next-gen-2021-nissan-frontier/#article", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2020/08/what-to-expect-from-the-next-gen-2021-nissan-frontier/" }, "author": { "name": "Jill Ciminillo", "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/#/schema/person/17a307b2bd8654a0efc57d38f2e79df8" }, "headline": "What to expect from the next-gen 2021 Nissan Frontier", "datePublished": "2020-08-26T14:10:38+00:00", "dateModified": "2026-08-19T15:37:28+00:00", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2020/08/what-to-expect-from-the-next-gen-2021-nissan-frontier/" }, "wordCount": 579, "commentCount": 4, "publisher": { "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/#organization" }, "image": { "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2020/08/what-to-expect-from-the-next-gen-2021-nissan-frontier/#primaryimage" }, "thumbnailUrl": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2021-Nissan-Frontier-Spy-Shot-Nissan-Nation-2.jpg", "keywords": [ "2021 nissan frontier", "mid-size truck", "midsize truck", "nissan frontier", "nissan titan" ], "articleSection": [ "News" ], "inLanguage": "en-US", "potentialAction": [ { "@type": "CommentAction", "name": "Comment", "target": [ "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2020/08/what-to-expect-from-the-next-gen-2021-nissan-frontier/#respond" ] } ] }, { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2020/08/what-to-expect-from-the-next-gen-2021-nissan-frontier/", "url": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2020/08/what-to-expect-from-the-next-gen-2021-nissan-frontier/", "name": "What to expect from the next-gen 2021 Nissan Frontier", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/#website" }, "primaryImageOfPage": { "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2020/08/what-to-expect-from-the-next-gen-2021-nissan-frontier/#primaryimage" }, "image": { "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2020/08/what-to-expect-from-the-next-gen-2021-nissan-frontier/#primaryimage" }, "thumbnailUrl": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2021-Nissan-Frontier-Spy-Shot-Nissan-Nation-2.jpg", "datePublished": "2020-08-26T14:10:38+00:00", "dateModified": "2026-08-19T15:37:28+00:00", "description": "Though the reveal of the 2021 Nissan Frontier is getting close, we still don't have a lot of details. 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Previously, Jill has been the automotive editor for the Chicago Sun-Times News Group as well as Sinclair Broadcast Group. She is also a past president for the Midwest Automotive Media Association and has the distinction of being the first female president for that organization. Jill is also currently a juror for the North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year (NACTOY) and Women's World Car of the Year (WWCOTY).", "sameAs": [ "https://www.instagram.com/jillciminillo/", "https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillciminillo/", "https://x.com/https://twitter.com/jillciminillo", "https://www.youtube.com/jillciminillo" ], "url": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/author/jillc/" } ] } ] ~~~