Hey guys. Just sold my 5th gen 4Runner because I am looking for a truck bed. However not looking for a Tacoma because everyone has one and not a fan of the look. Anyhow, im in between the Nissan Frontier Pro 4x which has the NA v6 and the Ford Ranger Raptor which has the 3.0 liter twin turbo v6.
The Ranger Raptor is 59k and I am able to get one as msrp without the markup, I was able to test drive it and it literally feels like a lifted muscle car.
The pro4x is 45k and although not as fun as the ranger , it is a modern classic with the na v6 and low tech so less things can break.
I am looking for a truck to be able to throw my surfboards/snowboards , use in snow, occasional off-road and adventures. Also, I want something that will last.
The FX4 is definitely more on par with the Pro-4X, but it really comes down to personal preference. The Raptor offers more power and potential right out of the gate, but if you went with the Frontier, the money you save could go a long way toward customizing it for your adventures. I’m not tied to any one brand—I believe all manufacturers produce reliable vehicles that can last hundreds of thousands of miles, along with the occasional dud. Plus, since both trucks are new, you’ve got the warranty to cover you either way.
I’ve got a 2022 Pro-4X with a Topo Topper Mesa and a few other upgrades, and it’s been great so far—no mechanical issues at all. I’m closing in on 30,000 km. I don’t push it too hard, mainly driving on logging roads here in BC. Before this, I had an Xterra, and I never had any major problems with that either. In my experience, Nissans have been super reliable and tough.
While it seems like you’re set on a V6, don’t overlook the 2.7T in the new Canyon and Colorado. I’ve got a Canyon with 430 lb-ft of torque and 310 hp, and it’s got more than enough power. Plus, the ZR2 is a great alternative to the Ranger for less money, and it’s an awesome truck. Don’t buy into all the unreliable claims you see online. Some early models had software issues, but those have been resolved, and mine’s been running flawlessly for a year now.
Those two aren’t really comparable. The Pro-4X is more in line with the FX4 Ranger than the Raptor, but I’d still lean toward the Frontier, mainly due to the reliability of a naturally aspirated V6 versus a twin-turbo V6. I drive a 2007 Xterra that I bought new, and it’s got 199k miles on it. I’m currently replacing a cam sensor, but that’s pretty minor. The only reason to go with the Raptor is if you live somewhere where you can tear through some dunes, but a Titan-swapped Pro-4X can handle that too.
The Raptor definitely has more off-road capability, but I’d still go with the Frontier. A Ford twin-turbo V6 just seems like a disaster waiting to happen. Plus, having the diff locks controlled through the huge infotainment screen instead of traditional switches doesn’t sit right with me. And this is coming from someone who drives a 2020 Ranger.