Nissan Australia confirms Navara Pro PHEV ute for 2027 launch

Nissan Australia confirmed the all-new Navara Pro Plug-in Hybrid will join its local line-up in 2027. Australia and New Zealand will be the first right-hand-drive markets to offer this electrified ute, which marks Nissan's first globally.

The Navara Pro PHEV for Australia and New Zealand uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four petrol engine paired with an electric motor. This system is integrated into an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering a preliminary total system output of 408 PS and 800 Nm of torque. Nissan states the transmission was selected for its broad versatility, enabling both low-range crawling and low-rpm cruising. The vehicle will offer four drive modes: Eco, Standard, Sport, and Slippery. It also features seven terrain modes: Standard, Deep Snow, Mud, Sand, Rock, Wading, and Expert. Each mode adjusts the powertrain, steering, and traction-control mapping.

Towing, payload and warranty commitments

Nissan confirms a 3500kg braked towing capacity and up to 1000kg payload for the Navara Pro PHEV, though both figures remain subject to final homologation. Upon launch, the vehicle will be backed by a 10-year or 300,000-kilometre extended warranty. This coverage is part of the Nissan MORE program and requires servicing with authorised dealers. The standard warranty remains five years with unlimited kilometres if the extended warranty conditions are not met.

Development and validation process

Extensive local testing in Australia has been conducted to meet Oceania market needs. Nissan brought five development and prototype vehicles to Australia, where they have covered more than 20,000 kilometres in real-world conditions. The testing program evaluates the powertrain, suspension, driver assistance calibration, terrain and drive modes, tyres, differential-lock configurations, and towing and load performance. Engineers are assessing both leaf-spring and multi-link coil-spring rear suspension configurations. The final Australian suspension set-up will be confirmed closer to the start of sales. Collaboration occurred between Nissan teams in Australia, Japan, and China during development.

Global context and model lineage

The Navara Pro PHEV is the sixth-generation evolution of the nameplate and differs from the model sold in China. The China-market version is called the Frontier Pro PHEV and is part of a joint venture with Dongfeng. It uses a different powertrain, specifically a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine paired with a four-speed dedicated hybrid transmission. Nissan Australia states the Oceania model is not an off-the-shelf global specification. The choice of the 2.0-litre engine and eight-speed automatic followed an evaluation against local expectations for towing, payload, and sustained performance.

The Philippines will also receive the Navara PHEV but in left-hand drive form. For context, the specifications of the China-market Frontier Pro PHEV are detailed below.

Features, design and usability

The vehicle will offer available vehicle-to-load capability, allowing it to provide electrical power for work, touring, camping, and recreation. It will be a five-seat dual-cab ute offered with available equipment depending on grade. Potential features include a large central touchscreen, digital instrument cluster, panoramic sunroof, and heated and ventilated front seats. The design includes three horizontal LED elements above the grille, referencing the three-slot bonnet opening of the 1980s D21 Hardbody pickup. Steve Milette, Managing Director of Nissan Oceania, said the ute had been developed with regional requirements in mind. Final equipment, pricing, battery details, and estimated EV-only driving range will be announced closer to launch.