Nissan Says Its Not Quitting Its V6 Engines

Even on the truck side, everyone is cutting back. In 2026, almost all mid-size pickups—from the renowned Toyota Tacoma to the Ford Ranger and Chevrolet Colorado—have a standard four-cylinder engine. Is this the only manufacturer of trucks without a base four-cylinder engine for their mid-sized models? Nissan, and the business intends to maintain that.

Nissan’s Senior Manager of Product Planning, Brent Hagan, recently told Motor1 that the business is heavily relying on its V6 heritage. May 5th was really declared “V6 Day” by the firm; you may have noticed some videos publicising this fact on social media. Brent states:

Because we built our legacy on V6s, from the GT-R and Xterra to the present Frontier and Pathfinder, our internal catchphrase is “We’re too V6 to quit.” We have generations upon generations of V6s, and the fact that we use tried-and-true technology that is strong, dependable, and of excellent quality does give us a distinct advantage. Because it is created in America, by Americans, for Americans, our VQ38 boasts Japanese quality and dependability.

Mid-size truck buyers desire V6s, according to Hagan. Given the Frontier’s naturally aspirated six-cylinder engine, several Ford and Toyota enthusiasts have apparently given Nissan considerable thought. As Brent observes:

“I’m a Toyota guy, or I’m an XYZ company guy,” is a common post that I’ve seen lately. Although I’ve been with them for some time, they no longer use V6s, and I truly like V6. The linearity is what I like best. The durability is what I like best. I’ve never thought about a Nissan or Frontier, but now I’m considering it because of the V6. I prefer the whole performance. Thus, we are certain that it is a differentiator.

Regardless of trim level, the 2026 Frontier’s 3.8-liter V6 engine produces 310 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque. It has a nine-speed automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive, depending on the specifications.

• Read More: Next-Gen Nissan GT-R R36 Will Be A Hybrid