Toyota Tacoma vs Nissan Frontier: towing
For 2026, the Nissan Frontier has the higher printed conventional maximum, by 650 lb. Comparing the best row for the same cab and drivetrain, the Toyota Tacoma is higher in 0 of 2 setups and the Nissan Frontier in 2. Across 19 model years where both are cited, the Toyota Tacoma led 8 times, the Nissan Frontier 3 times, with 8 ties.
Every figure is a printed manufacturer chart value for its own model year. Maximums need specific equipment; the same-setup table is the fairer comparison.
2026: same cab, same drivetrain
2026 is the newest year with substantial chart coverage for both trucks. Best printed conventional rating for each body style; “No row” means the transcribed chart has none for that setup. Extended cab groups SuperCab, Double Cab, Quad Cab, King Cab and Access Cab; crew groups SuperCrew, CrewMax and Mega Cab.
| Setup | Toyota Tacoma | Nissan Frontier | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extended cab 2WD | 6,500 lb i-FORCE 2.4L turbo 4-cylinder, XtraCab, Non-SR grades (SR shown separately) | 7,150 lb 3.8L V6, King Cab, Standard bed, S | Nissan Frontier +650 |
| Extended cab 4WD | 6,500 lb i-FORCE 2.4L turbo 4-cylinder, XtraCab, Non-SR grades (SR shown separately) | 7,000 lb 3.8L V6, King Cab, Standard bed, S | Nissan Frontier +500 |
| Crew cab 2WD | No row | 7,070 lb 3.8L V6, Crew Cab, Standard bed, S | — |
| Crew cab 4WD | No row | 6,960 lb 3.8L V6, Crew Cab, Standard bed, S | — |
2026 rating ranges
| Hitch | Toyota Tacoma | Nissan Frontier |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional | 3,500–6,500 lb | 6,270–7,150 lb |
2026 Toyota Tacoma by engine
- i-FORCE 2.4L turbo 4-cylinder3,500–6,500 lb
- i-FORCE MAX 2.4L turbo hybrid6,000 lb
Source: Toyota, 2026 Tacoma U.S. Product Information
2026 Nissan Frontier by engine
- 3.8L V66,270–7,150 lb
Source: Nissan, 2026 Frontier U.S. brochure: specifications and capacities
Year by year
Highest cited conventional rating for each model year. A blank means that year is not cited or the model was not sold, never zero.
| Year | Toyota Tacoma | Nissan Frontier | Higher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6,500 lb | 7,150 lb | Frontier |
| 2025 | 6,500 lb | 7,150 lb | Frontier |
| 2024 | 6,500 lb | 6,640 lb | Frontier |
| 2023 | 6,800 lb | 6,720 lb | Tacoma |
| 2022 | 6,800 lb | 6,720 lb | Tacoma |
| 2021 | 6,800 lb | 6,720 lb | Tacoma |
| 2020 | 6,800 lb | 6,720 lb | Tacoma |
| 2019 | 6,800 lb | 6,720 lb | Tacoma |
| 2018 | 6,800 lb | 6,710 lb | Tacoma |
| 2017 | 6,800 lb | 6,710 lb | Tacoma |
| 2016 | 6,800 lb | 6,500 lb | Tacoma |
| 2015 | 6,500 lb | 6,500 lb | Tie |
| 2014 | 6,500 lb | 6,500 lb | Tie |
| 2013 | 6,500 lb | 6,500 lb | Tie |
| 2012 | 6,500 lb | 6,500 lb | Tie |
| 2011 | 6,500 lb | 6,500 lb | Tie |
| 2010 | 6,500 lb | 6,500 lb | Tie |
| 2009 | 6,500 lb | 6,500 lb | Tie |
| 2008 | 6,500 lb | — | |
| 2007 | 6,500 lb | — | |
| 2006 | 6,500 lb | 6,500 lb | Tie |
| 2005 | 6,500 lb | — | |
| 2004 | 5,000 lb | — | |
| 2003 | 5,000 lb | — | |
| 2002 | 5,000 lb | — | |
| 2001 | 5,000 lb | — | |
| 2000 | 5,000 lb | — |