2020 Nissan Frontier MPG and Fuel Cost
The 2020 Nissan Frontier is rated 19 to 20 mpg combined across 2 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 3.8L 6-cyl · RWD · 9-speed automatic.
EPA fuel economy
2020 Nissan Frontier · 2 EPA-tested versionsBest EPA rating
20MPG combined
18 city 24 highway
$3,250 a year to fuel
3.8L 6-cyl · RWD · 9-speed automatic
Best version costs $4,750 more in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)
Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.32 a gallon (regular gas).
At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $3,250 to $3,400 a year. Compared with 2019, the best gas version is down 1 mpg.
Every 2020 Frontier version
EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices.
| Version | Combined | City / Hwy | Fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
3.8L 6-cyl · RWD · 9-speed automatic Best
EPA listing: Frontier 2WD |
20 mpg | 18 / 24 | $3,250 |
3.8L 6-cyl · Part-time 4WD · 9-speed automatic
EPA listing: Frontier 4WD |
19 mpg | 17 / 23 | $3,400 |
Fuel cost at your prices
EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.32 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.
| Version | Per year | 5 years |
|---|---|---|
3.8L 6-cyl · RWD · 9-speed automatic | $3,240 | $16,200 |
3.8L 6-cyl · Part-time 4WD · 9-speed automatic | $3,411 | $17,053 |
At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.
Nissan Frontier MPG by model year
The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 20 to 21 mpg (every year from 2016 to 2026); highest in 2016.
2020: gas 20 mpgTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
| Model year | Best gas version |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 21 |
| 2017 | 21 |
| 2018 | 21 |
| 2019 | 21 |
| 2020 | 20 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2022 | 20 |
| 2023 | 21 |
| 2024 | 21 |
| 2025 | 21 |
| 2026 | 21 |
How the 2020 Frontier compares
2020 midsize pickups covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.
| 2020 model | Best combined | Best gas | Fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
Best: diesel |
23 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,950 |
Best: gas |
23 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,800 |
Best: gas |
22 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,950 |
Best: gas |
21 mpg | 21 mpg | $3,100 |
Nissan Frontier This page Best: gas |
20 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,250 |
Best: gas |
19 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,400 |
2020 Frontier recalls and complaints
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 23 owner complaints for the 2020 Frontier.What they cover, and crash test ratingsQuestions
Does 4WD lower the 2020 Nissan Frontier's gas mileage?
Yes. On versions that differ only in drive, 4WD lowers the combined rating by 1 mpg: the 3.8L 6-cyl gets 20 mpg combined with two-wheel drive and 19 with 4WD.
Does the 2020 Nissan Frontier need premium gas?
No. EPA lists every 2020 Nissan Frontier version on regular gasoline.
How does the 2020 Frontier's MPG compare with the 2019?
For 2020, the best gas version is rated 20 mpg, down 1 from 21.
Sources and method
- US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Sep 18, 2026.
- EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.32, midgrade $4.93, premium $5.32, diesel $6.29 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
- Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Sep 27, 2026 and complaint file dated Sep 26, 2026.
Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.