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Nissan’s Two-Pronged Pickup Plan: Navara Reborn, Frontier Pro PHEV Incoming for Australia

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

NEW CARS

All-Electric Nissan Juke Goes Full Hyper-Punk for 2026

Nissan is preparing to inject some much-needed chaos into the small EV segment, and the next-generation all-electric Juke looks ready to do exactly that. Set to join the Leaf and the upcoming Micra EV in Nissan’s European electric range, the Juke EV will share much of the Leaf’s proven hardware—yet visually, it’s marching to a completely different drummer.

If the petrol-powered Juke built its reputation on divisive design, the EV successor appears determined not just to continue that legacy but amplify it. Nissan brass calls it an “emotional product,” and from what we’ve learned, that’s an understatement.

Polygonal Attitude: Styling That Won’t Sit Quietly

The new Juke EV rides on the CMF-EV platform already underpinning the Leaf and Ariya. Wheelbase? Locked in. Everything else? Fair game. Nissan’s designers took full advantage of that flexibility, pushing proportions in the direction of last year’s visually explosive Hyper Punk concept.

Bigger wheels, wider tracks, a noticeably lower roofline, and bodywork shaped from connected flat surfaces give the EV Juke a distinctly angular, video-game-inspired character. Nissan even cites Fortnite-style polygon shapes as a theme.

Up front, signature squared-off headlights and stacked DRLs return, but with EV freedom eliminating the need for a traditional grille, expect a bolder face—and an illuminated badge for even more drama. Early prototypes confirm only minimal lower-bumper cooling openings.

Out back, aerodynamic efficiency finally gets a seat at the table. A defined kamm tail sharpens airflow, while the taillights ditch the Leaf’s retro cues for intricate 3D tessellations carried over from the Hyper Punk showpiece. Wheel options may stretch up to 20 inches, cementing the EV Juke’s stance as halfway between sculpture and small SUV.

Interior: From Calm Leaf to Tron Nightclub

Don’t expect Leaf-like serenity inside. Nissan’s VP of electromobility openly admitted a soft spot for the first Juke’s motorcycle-inspired cabin—and he wants that eccentric spirit back. So while the Juke EV borrows the Leaf’s dual 14.3-inch displays and Google-based interface, everything surrounding those screens will take a sharp turn toward neon futurism.

Bright colors, unconventional forms, and bold ambient lighting are all on the menu. If the Leaf feels like a Zen garden, the Juke aims to channel Tron.

Powertrain: Leaf Muscles, Juke Personality

Under its exaggerated skin, the EV Juke keeps things sensible. Motor and battery offerings mirror the Leaf, with two packs—52 kWh and 75 kWh—paired to a single front-mounted motor delivering either 174 hp or 213 hp. Both the batteries and the vehicle itself will be built in the UK.

Range estimates aren’t out yet, but expectations should be tempered. Larger wheels, wider stance, and that expressive design will almost certainly trim efficiency compared with the Leaf’s impressive up to 386 miles from the larger pack. Still, a competitive real-world range for the B-segment crossover class seems achievable.

Pricing and Competitors

If Nissan positions the Juke EV near rival offerings—including the Volvo EX30 and upcoming Skoda Epiq—it could become one of the segment’s louder, more memorable entries. At a time when many small EVs are starting to blur together, the Juke EV appears determined to be anything but anonymous.

When Can We See It?

Nissan is targeting a mid-2026 reveal, with customer deliveries expected in early 2027. After the Juke EV enters production, attention turns to the next-gen electric Qashqai. Traditionalists can relax, though—Nissan insists petrol Juke and Qashqai models will continue “long into the future.”

If the EV revolution needs more personality, the next Juke is stepping up to do the job.

Source: Auto Express

NEW CARS

2026 Nissan Teana (China) — A Tech-Forward Family Sedan Gets the Huawei Treatment

Nissan used the stage of the Guangzhou Motor Show on November 21 to send a clear message: in China’s tech-obsessed sedan segment, it’s ready to compete on the home team’s turf. The company announced that the newly updated Teana—built by joint venture partner Dongfeng Nissan (DFN)—will debut with Huawei’s latest in-car interface, HarmonySpace 5.0, standard across every trim. Pricing lands between 139,900 and 167,900 RMB, positioning the Teana as a tech-loaded, value-focused midsize contender.

Design: Clean Lines, High Tech Glow

Nissan didn’t reinvent the silhouette, but the new Teana leans into a sleeker, more mature presence. A long, flowing roofline and subtle surfacing give the car a premium stance, further sharpened by the new “star ring” LED signature that wraps from the grille into the headlamp housings. The twin-projector LED units—which Nissan claims can throw light an impressive 230 meters—are among the longest-reaching in the segment.

Two exclusive colors, Sandstone Gray and Phantom Purple, add some luxury flair without shouting for attention. Think restrained premium, not boy-racer flash.

Cabin: Soft-Touch Everywhere and a Smartphone on Wheels

Step inside and Nissan’s priorities become obvious: comfort, quiet, and digital polish. According to the company, roughly 90 percent of the cabin surfaces are soft-touch, and the lighting system offers 256 ambient hues, enough for every mood from “Zen commute” to “Cyberpunk night drive.”

But the real headline is the new HarmonySpace 5.0 cockpit, anchored by a massive 15.6-inch Huawei display. The interface behaves like a tablet—fast, bright, and fluid—with full-cabin voice control, OTA updates, and a learning-based AI assistant. Nissan isn’t being shy: this is a car meant to feel like your living room and your phone fused into one rolling device.

Powertrain: The VC-Turbo Still Impresses

Under the hood, Nissan sticks with its standout engineering party trick: the 2.0-liter VC-Turbo, with its variable compression technology. Output remains healthy at 243 horsepower and 371 Nm of torque, giving the Teana plenty of muscle for a family sedan. Power delivery is smooth and confident, which pairs well with the car’s mission of effortless commuting rather than sport-sedan theatrics.

The model also comes with Level 2 driver assistance, further rounding out its suite of premium features.

Comfort: Massages, Memory, and a Footrest—Yes, Really

Nissan is leaning hard into comfort, perhaps harder than any mainstream midsize sedan in China right now. Both rows offer generous space, but the front seats steal the spotlight with spinal support, ventilation, memory functions, and even massage capability. A fully adjustable footrest adds a near-lounge-like experience—something once reserved for far pricier executive sedans.

Audio: HUAWEI SOUND Turns the Teana Into a Mini Theater

Every grade of the Teana comes standard with a 15-speaker audio system co-developed with HUAWEI SOUND, while the top-spec variant bumps that count to 17. Expect strong bass, smooth mids, and crisp treble, helped by the cabin’s dual-layer soundproof glass on all doors. Nissan claims highway cruising approaches “theater-like” quietness—and in China’s competitive market, that’s not just marketing fluff; it’s a necessity.

The Takeaway

The new Teana may not chase sportiness, but it doesn’t need to. Its mission is clearer and more modern: deliver premium comfort, cutting-edge tech, and whisper-quiet cruising at an accessible price. With Huawei’s HarmonySpace 5.0 onboard and a plush interior that punches above its class, Nissan is positioning the Teana as a tech-centric alternative to the usual Japanese and joint-venture crowd.

For buyers in China who want a smartphone-like sedan that pampers, the Teana is suddenly a serious contender—maybe even the class’s new benchmark.

Source: Nissan