Chevrolet Silverado vs Nissan Frontier
The Chevrolet Silverado is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 70 mpg combined versus 21 mpg for the Nissan Frontier, a 49 mpg advantage and costs about $1,850 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Chevrolet Silverado leads in 5. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2026
Chevrolet Silverado
Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD · 300 configurations
2015–2026
Nissan Frontier
Small Pickup Trucks 2WD · 57 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Chevrolet Silverado | Nissan Frontier |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 70 mpg ✓ | 21 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 78 mpg ✓ | 19 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 63 mpg ✓ | 24 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $1,100 ✓ | $2,950 |
| Lowest CO2 output | 383 g/mi ✓ | 423 g/mi |
| Engines offered | SIDI, w/ Sport and Off Road Mode, 3.0, SIDI; FFV | SIDI, SIDI; ISS and AGS, 2.5, 4.0 |
| Transmissions | Automatic (A1), Automatic 10-spd, Automatic 8-spd | Automatic (S9), Automatic 5-spd, Manual 5-spd |
| Drivetrains | 4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Electricity, Regular, Diesel | Regular, Gasoline or E85 |
| EPA class | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2015–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 300 | 57 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Silverado vs Frontier: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Chevrolet Silverado or the Nissan Frontier?
The Chevrolet Silverado is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 70 mpg combined versus 21 mpg for the Nissan Frontier, a 49 mpg advantage and costs about $1,850 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Chevrolet Silverado runs about $1,100 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $2,950 for the Nissan Frontier — a difference of roughly $1,850 per year.
What engines do the Silverado and Frontier offer?
Chevrolet Silverado: SIDI, w/ Sport and Off Road Mode, 3.0, SIDI; FFV. Nissan Frontier: SIDI, SIDI; ISS and AGS, 2.5, 4.0.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the Chevrolet Silverado as Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD and the Nissan Frontier as Small Pickup Trucks 2WD, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
More Silverado comparisons
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