Nissan Frontier vs Ford Ranger
The Ford Ranger is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 23 mpg combined versus 21 mpg for the Nissan Frontier, a 2 mpg advantage and costs about $300 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Ford Ranger leads in 5. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2026
Nissan Frontier
Small Pickup Trucks 2WD · 57 configurations
2019–2026
Ford Ranger
Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD · 32 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Nissan Frontier | Ford Ranger |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 21 mpg | 23 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 19 mpg | 21 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 24 mpg | 26 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,950 | $2,650 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | 423 g/mi | 380 g/mi ✓ |
| Engines offered | SIDI, SIDI; ISS and AGS, 2.5, 4.0 | SIDI & PFI, SIDI, SIDI & PFI; with Stop-start, SIDI; with Stop-start |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S9), Automatic 5-spd, Manual 5-spd | Automatic (S10) |
| Drivetrains | Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Regular, Gasoline or E85 | Regular |
| EPA class | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2019–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 57 | 32 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Frontier vs Ranger: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Nissan Frontier or the Ford Ranger?
The Ford Ranger is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 23 mpg combined versus 21 mpg for the Nissan Frontier, a 2 mpg advantage and costs about $300 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Ford Ranger runs about $2,650 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $2,950 for the Nissan Frontier — a difference of roughly $300 per year.
What engines do the Frontier and Ranger offer?
Nissan Frontier: SIDI, SIDI; ISS and AGS, 2.5, 4.0. Ford Ranger: SIDI & PFI, SIDI, SIDI & PFI; with Stop-start, SIDI; with Stop-start.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the Nissan Frontier as Small Pickup Trucks 2WD and the Ford Ranger as Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
More Frontier comparisons
Comparison id: nissan-frontier-vs-ford-ranger