When you’re shopping for a capable midsize truck, the 2025 Ford Ranger and Nissan Frontier are stand-out options. But which has more of what you want in a daily driver? Our comparison guide helps you figure out which pickup makes the most sense for your North Carolina lifestyle!
Key Takeaways
- The Ranger is the thriftier option, earning up to 23 mpg combined.
- Ford’s midsize truck also offers the strongest performance, towing and hauling more weight than the Frontier can handle.
- The Ranger’s recently returned ride delivers the best balance of sporty and smooth cruising!
- While the Frontier Pro-4X is ready for the trail, the Ranger Raptor hits the ground with more performance upgrades.
Everyday Efficiency: 2025 Ford Ranger
Strongest Performance: 2025 Ford Ranger
In addition to the thriftiest performance, Ford’s midsize truck also delivers the strongest ride! Properly equipped, the Ranger can haul payloads weighing up to 1,805 pounds or tow a trailer weighing up to 7,500 pounds. Plus, you can build a Ranger featuring one of three powerful engine options — the strongest of which leaves the Frontier behind with 405 horses!
2025 Ford Ranger Powertrain Options
- Standard 2.3L turbocharged 2.3L four-cylinder engine (270 hp, 310 lb-ft)
- Available for XLT, Lariat: 2.7L turbo V6 (315 hp, 400 lb-ft)
- Raptor-exclusive 3.0L turbo V6 (405 hp, 430 lb-ft)
- 10-speed automatic transmission
- Rear-wheel drive or optional four-wheel drive
The Frontier’s V6 engine is pretty impressive, with 310 horses to get you up to speed in a snap. Unfortunately, though, this Nissan truck doesn’t offer any engine upgrades. It doesn’t move as much weight as the Ranger, either, hauling max loads of 1,620 pounds and towing up to 7,150 pounds. However, compared to last year’s Frontier, which could only tow up to 6,720 pounds, this new truck shows plenty of improvement! It just has a way to go before it can catch up with the Ranger.
2025 Nissan Frontier Powertrain Specs
- 3.8L V6 (310 hp, 281 lb-ft of torque)
- Nine-speed automatic transmission
- Rear-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive
Cruising Comfort: 2025 Ford Ranger
Introduced just last year, this new generation of Ranger trucks provides best-in-class comfort! A retuned suspension system delivers an incredible blend of strength and smoothness, glossing over bumpy roads with ease. Plus, every Ranger features a roomy crew cabin with two rows of handsomely cushioned seats. Available features, like heated seats and dual-zone climate control, keep you cozy throughout North Carolina’s changing seasons.
While the Frontier is also available with cushy comfort upgrades, Nissan’s midsize truck feels much bumpier by comparison. On the other hand, the Frontier has something you can’t get from the Ranger, offering a two-door extended cab (aka the King Cab) in addition to a four-door crew cab. We just wish this midsize truck felt more refined in everyday driving scenarios!
Off-Road Adventure: 2025 Ford Ranger
These midsize trucks are up for a good time! You can equip both the Ranger and the Frontier for rugged, off-road drives through North Carolina’s pristine mountain trails and white-sand beaches. But the Ranger takes the lead here, thanks to its high-powered, off-road-ready trim model, the Raptor. It comes equipped with everything you need for high-speed off-roading, leaving the competition in the dust!
2025 Ford Ranger Raptor Features
- 405-horsepower 3.0L turbo V6
- Fox shocks
- Locking front and rear differentials
- All-terrain tires
- Fender flares
- Extra off-road drive modes
- Trail Control
The Frontier offers two different off-road-ready trim models, the Pro-X and Pro-4X. However, only the Pro-4X comes standard with four-wheel drive, making it the better choice for rugged driving. And while this truck is equipped with some very rugged upgrades, it needs to add a few more if it wants to keep up with the Ranger Raptor!
2025 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X Features
- 310-horsepower 3.8L V6
- Bilstein shocks
- Locking rear differential
- All-terrain tires
- Underbody skid plates
The Best Truck for North Carolina Cruising
If you’re shopping the segment for a truck that cuts down on costs but still packs a pretty impressive punch, there’s no better choice than the Ranger! This Ford truck simply has more to offer than the competition, including higher fuel mileage, stronger engine options, and premium off-road performance. Experience the best-in-class midsize truck in person — visit us at Lafayette Ford to test-drive the 2025 Ford Ranger!