--- title: "2024 Nissan Frontier Hardbody Edition Is a Rad ’80s Throwback" description: "The new 2024 Nissan Frontier Hardbody Edition is a 1980s throwback to one of Nissan's most popular compact trucks." date: "2023-09-14" modified: "2023-09-14" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/2024-nissan-frontier-hardbody-edition-is-a-rad-80s-throwback" categories: - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Nissan News" tags: - "Frontier" - "Nissan" - "pickup" --- # 2024 Nissan Frontier Hardbody Edition Is a Rad ’80s Throwback ![]() Nissan brought its compact, work-ready pickup to the United States in 1985. It was an honest, simple, affordable, hard-working pickup that sparked generations of [Nissan]() pickup truck enthusiasts. For 2024, the [Nissan Frontier]() Hardbody Edition honors that original '80s truck with retro looks and some unique touches. The Hardbody Edition package is only available on Frontier SV Crew Cab 4x4 models and comes with specific 17-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires, retro-style decals, black exterior trim, and a very 1980s-looking bar in the bed. According to Nissan, it also comes with "other rad design flair." All of that "rad" equipment will set you back $3,890 on top of the [Frontier]() Crew Cab 4x4's starting price of $38,205. ![]() ![]() Nissan's original Hardbody wasn't its first small pickup but it was one of the first Nissans to be designed in California, at the brand's Nissan Design International Inc. (now called Nissan Design America). It was also pretty successful in off-road motorsport, having won the Baja 1000, Mint 400, and Gold Coast 300 in 1987. In 2021, Nissan entered a Hardbody-looking Frontier in the [Rebelle Rally](), so it would make some sense for the brand to do it again with the new Frontier Hardbody Edition. Unfortunately, one thing the new truck doesn't get, which the original Hardbody did, is a manual transmission. The new Frontier Hardbody Edition gets the same 3.8-liter V6 and nine-speed automatic as every other 2024 Frontier, versus the original truck's 3.0-liter V6 and five-speed manual. ![]() ![]() In other Nissan Frontier news, Crew Cab (four-door) models are offered in SL trim, which comes with leather seats, LED headlights, and a 10-speaker Fender sound system. All Frontier models also receive a small price bump, with the starting price jumping up from $30,905 to $31,105. The Hardbody Edition is the big news, though, and it should make any nostalgic Nissan customer very happy. It looks different enough from every other Frontier to make it feel special. Now who makes a cassette player retro-fit kit? ![]() *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()