Frontier Pro Archives - Brochureshub

For years, Nissan’s Australian pickup story has been a simple one: the Navara, and only the Navara. But that era is ending. With the debut of the latest-generation Navara still echoing through showrooms, Nissan has confirmed a second utility is gearing up for an Australian arrival—and it’s aimed squarely at the fast-crowding plug-in hybrid battlefield.

The newcomer is the Frontier Pro PHEV, a Chinese-built, Dongfeng-developed pickup that quietly surfaced earlier this year. Nissan plans to launch it locally in 2027, a strategic play that acknowledges a reality the brand can no longer ignore: the next frontier of pickups is electrified, and the competition is already here.

PHEV Heat Rising

Plug-in pickups are suddenly everywhere. BYD’s Shark 6 is leading the early charge, GWM sells the Cannon Alpha PHEV, and Ford has confirmed the Ranger PHEV is on the way. Next year, Chery and JAC will jump in as well. By the time the Frontier Pro hits local soil, this once-niche category could be one of the most important segments in the Australian market.

Australia’s dealers got the news shortly after the new Navara’s reveal, according to Carsales. Nissan Australia confirmed the Frontier Pro is part of its future product mix, though right-hand-drive engineering still stands between it and local roads—a roughly six-month conversion job, Nissan says.

Power With a Plug

If specs were weapons, the Frontier Pro wouldn’t arrive unarmed. Its hybrid system pairs a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with an electric motor integrated into the transmission. Combined output? A stout 402 horsepower (300 kW) and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque—figures that should grab the attention of both light-duty work crews and weekend adventurers.

An 84-mile (135-km) all-electric range puts it right in line with its BYD and GWM rivals. The chassis hardware looks equally promising, with vehicle-to-load capability, a 3,500-kg braked towing rating, and an electro-mechanically locking rear differential for off-road work. On paper, this thing is dressed for success.

A Cabin That Knows the Assignment

Inside, Nissan follows the formula laid out by Chinese brands dominating the tech-value equation. The Frontier Pro’s cabin pairs a 10-inch digital cluster with a 14.6-inch central touchscreen, ambient lighting, and an unexpectedly posh set of front seats offering heating, ventilation, and even massage. A two-spoke steering wheel rounds out the modern, almost EV-like interior vibe.

In short, Nissan didn’t mail this one in.

Strategy, Not Cannibalization

When we spoke with Nissan Oceania managing director Andrew Humberstone earlier this year, he emphasized that the Frontier Pro isn’t meant to replace the Navara—it’s meant to balance it. The Navara’s diesel remains essential for traditional buyers, but the PHEV can help offset fleet emissions and appeal to a new generation of ute shoppers.

“I see no problem with that running in parallel to the new Navara,” Humberstone said. “It’s about ‘does the business case work?’ I think it takes about six months to get right-hand drive. I think it could potentially work for the market.”

The Big Picture

With the Navara and Frontier Pro sharing the stage by decade’s end, Nissan’s pickup strategy looks more layered—and more future-proof—than it has in years. Electrified utes won’t stay optional for long, and Nissan seems determined not to watch the segment evolve without it.

Whether the Frontier Pro PHEV has the muscle to take on the Shark 6 and Ranger PHEV remains to be seen. But one thing’s clear: Nissan is finally gearing up for a fight.

Source: Nissan

With its sharp-edged, retro-futuristic face and electrified ambitions, Nissan’s new Frontier Pro was already a head-turner. But here’s the kicker—it’s not just the design or the fact that it’s the first Nissan global model designed and built entirely in China. It’s the price tag that’ll make U.S. truck builders break into a cold sweat.

Sticker Shock, the Good Kind

The Frontier Pro, developed in partnership with China’s Dongfeng Motor, has just gone on sale for ¥176,900, or roughly $24,800. That’s not a typo. It’s a figure so low it could make Detroit automakers spill their morning coffee.

For context, the bare-bones Slate Auto EV truck—which might not even come with powered windows—aims to start around $28,000 if everything goes perfectly. And if you walk into a Nissan dealership in the U.S. today, a base Frontier will set you back at least $32,150, before taxes and fees.

Under the Hood (and Under Budget)

At that base price, buyers in China get a 2.0-liter gasoline engine, an eight-speed automatic from ZF, and BorgWarner’s Mlock four-wheel-drive system—serious mechanicals for not a lot of money.

Step up to the next petrol version, and you’re still only at ¥196,900 ($27,600). Prefer diesel? Nissan’s got you covered with two 2.3-liter options, both hovering around the $25,000–28,000 range.

But the one that really changes the conversation is the plug-in hybrid (PHEV).

The Electrified Game-Changer

Visually, the PHEV is the easiest to spot—its segmented LED light bar connects the headlights across the nose, with a clean band of body-colored trim underneath. The purely combustion models skip these touches and, frankly, look a little dull by comparison.

But let’s be honest, you’re not paying extra for the pretty lights. You’re doing it because this truck’s 1.5-liter plug-in setup punches out 402 horsepower (408 PS)—more than double what the gas or diesel models can muster.

Even better, Nissan claims an electric-only range of 84 miles (135 km). That’s impressive by any standard, especially in a truck that still wears mud tires and doesn’t apologize for it.

Big Truck, Modern Feel

With a 3,300-mm (130-inch) wheelbase, the Frontier Pro is slightly longer between the axles than the short-bed American Frontier. Yet inside, it looks decades newer.

A massive 14.6-inch tablet-style infotainment screen, fully digital gauge cluster, and slick electronic shifter give the cabin a tech-forward vibe that wouldn’t feel out of place in a premium EV SUV. It’s the kind of interior that makes the U.S.-spec Frontier look like it’s still living in 2015.

Global Intentions, Local Limitations

Nissan isn’t keeping this one locked inside China. The company says it plans to export the Frontier Pro to other markets in the near future.

Don’t get too excited, though—the Chinese-built model isn’t coming to the U.S. Instead, Nissan’s CEO recently confirmed that a hybrid version of the Frontier is already in development for North America. So while American buyers won’t get this Frontier Pro, something inspired by it is definitely on the way.

Why It Matters

The Frontier Pro is proof that China’s automotive industry isn’t just catching up—it’s leading in design, tech, and value. Nissan’s decision to build and launch its first global model there isn’t just a symbolic move; it’s a strategic one.

If the U.S.-bound hybrid inherits even half of the Chinese truck’s powertrain smarts and pricing sanity, we could be looking at the first truly global pickup that bridges East and West—not just in concept, but in capability.