Snow-Friendly Features of the 2022 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X Not To Miss

The all-new 2022 Nissan PRO-4X is officially this tester’s new favorite midsize pickup truck. Over a week of testing on highways, mountain roads, and dirt roads, the Frontier PRO-4X has passed the Honda Ridgeline as my personal favorite. The snow-friendly features the PRO-4X comes with are much of the reason.

‘22 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X - Pricing
We tested the Nissan PRO-4X with all the options checked off. Those included the Tech Package, Convenience Package, and Premium Package. The total price including destination and handling was $44,315. Given the prices of today’s best midsize trucks, we feel this is a great value.

‘22 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X - Tires
The first surprise we found was that the Hancook tires that Nissan fits to the Nissan Frontier PRO-4X sport the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol. That means that the tires are not just all-terrain, but that they meet the minimum or better requirements for snow. The symbol means that they go above and beyond the winter traction capabilities of all-season tires. Swapping rubber each spring and fall is a huge hassle. With the 2022 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X, you’ll never have to.

‘22 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X - Full Size, Matching Spare Tire
Up under the Frontier is a full-size matching spare tire. This is rare in today's automotive landscape.

‘22 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X - Hill Descent Control
As the owner of a remote cabin on a private dirt road with a steep hill, I have learned the value of hill descent control. It can mean the difference between a fender bender and controlled descent when conditions are icy and wet. Every Frontier with four-wheel drive has Hill Descent Control. You won’t find that feature on any Honda Ridgeline.

‘22 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X - Locking Rear Differential
The rear differential in the ‘22 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X is locking. When things are really hairy and 4X4 low is not enough, it’s good to have one more level of traction to tackle deep snow.

‘22 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X - Heated Steering Wheel - Switch-operated Heated Seats
Of course the ‘22 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X has heated seats. However, unlike many more vehicles, they are operated with a mechanical switch that can stay on. A heated steering wheel rounds out the winter weather creature comforts.

‘22 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X - Recovery Hooks
Nissan fits dual front recovery hooks to the ‘22 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X. Combined with the trailer hitch, this will enable the Frontier to help stranded drivers in bad weather.

‘22 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X - Highway Manners
The Ridgeline was my personal favorite for its great on-road and highway handling and comfort. The ‘22 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X surprisingly matches the Ridgeline’s manners while providing gobs more off-road and winter capability. There is no compromise. We topped 24 MPG on our highway travels. The ‘22 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X combines the right level of toughness with real-world useability.

The all-new ‘22 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X starts at just over $30k with four-wheel drive and is available now.

John Goreham is a long-time New England Motor Press Association member and recovering engineer. John's interest in EVs goes back to 1990 when he designed the thermal control system for an EV battery as part of an academic team. After earning his mechanical engineering degree, John completed a marketing program at Northeastern University and worked with automotive component manufacturers, in the semiconductor industry, and in biotech. In addition to Torque News, John's work has appeared in print in dozens of American news outlets and he provides reviews to many vehicle shopping sites. You can follow John on TikTok @ToknCars, on Twitter, and view his credentials at Linkedin