Nissan Hardbody To Make Triumphant Return At Detroit Auto Show

Nissan has published a press release explaining the history of the Hardbody and stated that the next chapter in this model's story begins next week on 14 September 2023. The Japanese brand also shared an image of a classic Hardbody parked behind the new Frontier.

We can see the Frontier will retain its name because it still appears on top of the black grille, suggesting the Hardbody name will be used as a trim.

The Japanese brand obviously shared the Hardbody's history as a teaser for what this specific trim might be, but it's a tough guess. Nissan sold the Hardbody as a compact, easy-to-use truck that was equally welcome on farms and mall parking lots. The name came from the tough, double-walled bed design. It literally had a hard body.

Throughout its life, the Hardbody was available in rear- and four-wheel drive and in single- and double-cab formats. It was available as a basic workhorse and a luxurious (relatively speaking) family car with all the bells and whistles, powered by a 3.3-liter naturally aspirated V6. Or at least it was in other parts of the world.

Nissan started using the Frontier name in the USA in 1997, but it soldiered on as the Hardbody in other parts of the world where ruggedness perhaps mattered more. Until last year, you could still buy a brand-new first-generation Frontier (badged Hardbody) in a few African countries.

That makes it particularly hard to guess what Nissan is launching next week. It could be a Ranger Raptor rival or a basic King Cab workhorse with a more efficient engine.

The Frontier's rivals have moved on to turbocharged four-cylinder engines, and the 3.8-liter naturally-aspirated V6 engine is starting to show its age. It produces 310 hp and 281 lb-ft, so it's easily bested by the i-Force MAX hybrid powertrain in the new Tacoma. The Chevy Colorado's 2.7-liter turbocharged inline-four also produces 310 hp and 390-lb-ft, which proves that turbocharged four-cylinder engines are the future in this segment.

Still, Nissan isn't in a position to develop new ICE powertrains, and it is intent on going fully electric in a few years. So, the old-school V6 will likely be carried over, so it might be spec-related.

The current top-spec Frontier is the PRO-4X, and it comes with a part-time 4WD system, knobbly tires, underbody skid plates, and a limited-slip differential on the front axle. We still think there is room for more.

Toyota's move to split the two halo Tacomas is inspired. The Tacoma TRD Pro and Trailhunter cost the same, but the TRD Pro was built as a Ranger Raptor hunter, while the first-ever Trailhunter was made for people who love off-roading in general and overlanding specifically.

Nissan could go either way. It can supercharge the V6 and go after the Raptor, or it can collaborate with respected third-party off-road equipment suppliers to steal some sales from the Tacoma Trailhunter.

Whatever it may be, Nissan desperately needs to make the Frontier more attractive to customers because its rivals are killing it. After the discontinuation of the Titan at the end of summer 2024, the Frontier will be Nissan's only truck sold stateside, and a new exciting model is more important than ever, as the next-gen model has apparently been delayed until 2029.