Nissan Frontier vs Ram 1500: cost to own

Verdict, over 6 years

The Nissan Frontier costs about $4,008 less

That's $56 a month. Closest matching trims: same fuel and drive where possible.

Frontier Crew Cab PRO-4X SWB 4x4✓ $1,509/moTrue cost

1500 Tradesman$1,565/moTrue cost

2026 Nissan Frontier

Closest matching trim: Frontier Crew Cab PRO-4X SWB 4x4

Sticker (MSRP)$56,498

+$10,536→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$67,034

+ running costs→↓− $31,239 resale

True cost$1,509/moA month to own, after resale

2026 Ram 1500

Closest matching trim: 1500 Tradesman

Sticker (MSRP)$59,495

+$11,683→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$71,178

+ running costs→↓− $30,337 resale

True cost$1,565/moA month to own, after resale

Line by line


Price
Sticker (MSRP)	✓ $56,498	$59,495	Frontier by $2,997
Freight and fees, before tax	✓ $2,824	$3,494	Frontier by $670
Sales tax (HST)	✓ $7,712	$8,189	Frontier by $477
Drive-away price	✓ $67,034	$71,178	Frontier by $4,144
Running costs, 6 years
Fuel or charging	$21,595	✓ $18,414	1500 by $3,181
Insurance (estimate)	✓ $13,528	$16,827	Frontier by $3,299
Maintenance (estimate)	$10,946	✓ $8,119	1500 by $2,827
Loan rate	6.5%	6.5%	—
Loan interest	✓ $13,047	$13,918	Frontier by $871
Lost return on your money	✓ $13,669	$14,468	Frontier by $799
Resale after 6 yrs	✓ −$31,239	−$30,337	Frontier by $902
Total
True cost	✓ $108,669	$112,678	Frontier by $4,009
True cost a month	✓ $1,509/mo	$1,565/mo	Frontier by $56
You pay each month	✓ $1,684/mo	$1,716/mo	Frontier by $32
Practical
Fuel type	Gas	Gas	—
Seats	5	6	—
Carry-ons, 2 people	Open bed	Open bed	—
Towing, lb	✓ 6,700	6,450	—
Cargo behind row 2, litres	Not published	Not published	—
Length	5.34 m	5.81 m	—
Ground clearance	22 cm	—	—
Resale % after 6 yrs	✓ 55%	51%	—
US crash test	✓ 4★	Not rated yet	—

Price

Sticker (MSRP)

Frontier Crew Cab PRO-4X SWB 4x4 ✓ $56,4981500 Tradesman $59,495Cheaper by Frontier by $2,997

Freight and fees, before tax

Frontier Crew Cab PRO-4X SWB 4x4 ✓ $2,8241500 Tradesman $3,494Cheaper by Frontier by $670

Sales tax (HST)

Frontier Crew Cab PRO-4X SWB 4x4 ✓ $7,7121500 Tradesman $8,189Cheaper by Frontier by $477

Drive-away price

Frontier Crew Cab PRO-4X SWB 4x4 ✓ $67,0341500 Tradesman $71,178Cheaper by Frontier by $4,144

Running costs, 6 years

Fuel or charging

Frontier Crew Cab PRO-4X SWB 4x4 $21,5951500 Tradesman ✓ $18,414Cheaper by 1500 by $3,181

Insurance (estimate)

Frontier Crew Cab PRO-4X SWB 4x4 ✓ $13,5281500 Tradesman $16,827Cheaper by Frontier by $3,299

Maintenance (estimate)

Frontier Crew Cab PRO-4X SWB 4x4 $10,9461500 Tradesman ✓ $8,119Cheaper by 1500 by $2,827

Loan rate

Frontier Crew Cab PRO-4X SWB 4x4 6.5%1500 Tradesman 6.5%Cheaper by —

Loan interest

Frontier Crew Cab PRO-4X SWB 4x4 ✓ $13,0471500 Tradesman $13,918Cheaper by Frontier by $871

Lost return on your money

Frontier Crew Cab PRO-4X SWB 4x4 ✓ $13,6691500 Tradesman $14,468Cheaper by Frontier by $799

Resale after 6 yrs

Frontier Crew Cab PRO-4X SWB 4x4 ✓ −$31,2391500 Tradesman −$30,337Cheaper by Frontier by $902

Total

True cost

Frontier Crew Cab PRO-4X SWB 4x4 ✓ $108,6691500 Tradesman $112,678Cheaper by Frontier by $4,009

True cost a month

Frontier Crew Cab PRO-4X SWB 4x4 ✓ $1,509/mo1500 Tradesman $1,565/moCheaper by Frontier by $56

You pay each month

Frontier Crew Cab PRO-4X SWB 4x4 ✓ $1,684/mo1500 Tradesman $1,716/moCheaper by Frontier by $32

Practical

Fuel type

Frontier Crew Cab PRO-4X SWB 4x4 Gas1500 Tradesman GasCheaper by —

Seats

Frontier Crew Cab PRO-4X SWB 4x4 51500 Tradesman 6Cheaper by —

Carry-ons, 2 people

Frontier Crew Cab PRO-4X SWB 4x4 Open bed1500 Tradesman Open bedCheaper by —

Towing, lb

Frontier Crew Cab PRO-4X SWB 4x4 ✓ 6,7001500 Tradesman 6,450Cheaper by —

Cargo behind row 2, litres

Frontier Crew Cab PRO-4X SWB 4x4 Not published1500 Tradesman Not publishedCheaper by —

Length

Frontier Crew Cab PRO-4X SWB 4x4 5.34 m1500 Tradesman 5.81 mCheaper by —

Ground clearance

Frontier Crew Cab PRO-4X SWB 4x4 22 cm1500 Tradesman —Cheaper by —

Resale % after 6 yrs

Frontier Crew Cab PRO-4X SWB 4x4 ✓ 55%1500 Tradesman 51%Cheaper by —

US crash test

Frontier Crew Cab PRO-4X SWB 4x4 ✓ 4★1500 Tradesman Not rated yetCheaper by —

✓ marks the better figure. Resale for both is from their own used prices (unless you lease). Their stickers differ by $2,997.