Retro Done Right: 2024 Nissan Frontier Hardbody Edition

I just spent an impromptu long weekend with the 2024 Nissan Frontier Hardbody Edition (after a minor calamity with a BMW X5), and while it may seem to be a rather normal small truck, the closer you look, the more awesome retro features you find that are a throwback to the Nissan D21 Hardbodys of days gone by.

It isn't exactly a cheap package. A Frontier Hardbody like this one will set you back $46,380 (including destination). That makes it the most expensive Nissan Frontier you can buy. It beats the starting price of the even better-equipped Frontier Crew Cab SL by $1,300. It's a small price to pay for all this style.

And, this style is sort of the point of the Hardbody Edition. You're paying for what is pretty much an appearance package. Usually, I'd be against that sort of thing, but it's so good-looking, I can't help but love it.

I'm here to break down all the elements that make the Frontier Hardbody Edition retro pickup truck perfection.

Full Disclosure: Nissan lent me this Frontier Hardbody Edition and a full tank of gas to do with as I please over a long weekend.

These wheels. These wheels are the key to everything with the Frontier Hardbody Edition. Not only are they the most recognizable tell that this is no ordinary Frontier, they are also the most one-to-one element lifted from the original Hardbody pickup trucks. On top of all that, I'd say they could be some of the best-looking rims on sale today. I absolutely adore them.

The graphics package of the Frontier Hardbody Edition is another easy tell this isn't a regular Frontier. Just look at this 4X4 decal. It's just so wonderfully retro. When you see something like this, you know it isn't originally from this decade.

Nissan Hardbodys did not originally come with a black hood decal like this, but I think it's a nice design element. It's super cohesive with everything else going on here.

You could get a rear rollbar on the old Hardbody trucks, but they weren't this substantial. I sort of get it. I mean, the Frontier is a lot bigger than old Nissan D21s.

The tailgate of the Frontier Hardbody also gets a classic Nissan decal. It looks super similar to the one you could find on the original Hardbody, but it is a whole lot bigger. You also get the stamped "FRONTIER" nameplate below it which looks really nice.

One annoying thing: the rear taillight. Nissan gave the Frontier Hardbody LED rear taillights. That's a good thing. However, they don't match the dogshit they put up front.

You see these? Well, you only can because it's the daytime. At night, they are pretty much useless. Nissan makes an LED headlight setup for the Frontier but omitted it for the Hardbody Edition even though it's standard on other cheaper models.

I understand it's more faithful to the original D21 Hardbody, but come on. These suck.

To make the Frontier Hardbody more faithful to the original, Nissan gave the truck black side mirror caps and black door handles. On the original truck, they were a cheap, flat plastic. Here's they're glossy, baby.

The inside of the Frontier Hardbody is also a throwback, but not exactly on purpose. Nissan built a very simple truck when it created the new Frontier. You won't find the latest tech and gadgetry in here. You've got an analog gauge cluster, a small infotainment screen (that does run CarPlay and Android Auto through USC), a regular PRND automatic shifter and hard buttons for all your HVAC controls. It even has a foot-mounted parking brake. At least it has heated seats and a heated steering wheel!

If you're someone who hates modern car interiors, spend some time in the Frontier. This place was made for you.

All third-generation Frontiers are powered by the same 3.8-liter VQ V6 motor that produces a healthy enough 310 horsepower and 268 lb-ft of torque. It isn't going to win any races, but I'm sure it's going to work for a long, long time. There's no turbocharger or electric motor to be found here, and I doubt anyone who buys the Frontier would even want one.

The Frontier Hardbody comes with fabric seats. Leather is available on cheaper trims, but Nissan wanted to keep the interior authentic with the fabric. Overall, the seats are fairly good, though there is not much in the way of lumbar support. At least the driver's is fully electric.

There's not too much going on in the bed of the Frontier Hardbody Edition. That's fine. This is a real truck, dammit.

The 2024 Nissan Frontier Hardbody Edition is a really solid little truck. It's not a world beater when it comes to performance or capability, but it is one thing that is super important: honest. The normal Frontier an honest truck, and the Hardbody Edition just elevates that theory.

It's just a super nice little vehicle all around, and even with a sizable MSRP, I feel like it's still a decent buy. At the very least, you're going to get a lot of people saying, "Sweet truck, man."