- Nissan Oceania’s Managing Director says the new Navara will be “very much a Nissan.”
- The pickup will be based on the Mitsubishi Triton, albeit with a number of changes.
- The new midsize truck is expected to debut globally in 2026 or early 2027 at the latest.
Nissan may be navigating through one of its roughest patches in recent years, but that hasn’t put the brakes on developing key models for its future, one of the most important being the next-generation Navara. The midsize pickup is expected to share its ladder-frame platform with the Mitsubishi Triton, a predictable move given the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance.
However, according to a high-ranking Nissan executive, the new Navara will be far more than just a Triton with a different badge.
Review: 2025 Mitsubishi Triton GSR Tries To Stand Out In A Crowded Pickup Market
Andrew Humberstone, managing director of Nissan Oceania, acknowledged that platform-sharing is inevitable but emphasized that the company is making significant changes to ensure the Navara retains its own identity. “We’re going to make a lot of changes to the product to make sure it’s in line with Nissan’s expectations,” he told Drive.com.au. “Yes, we have a relationship, but that relationship could be effectively with any supplier.”
Humberstone’s comments suggest that Nissan is aiming for meaningful differentiation, beyond the usual cosmetic tweaks that badge-engineered models often receive. This approach is similar to what Ford and Volkswagen have done with the Ranger and Amarok or what Isuzu and Mazda pulled off with the D-Max and BT-50.
Illustration by Theottle
The next iteration of the Navara is expected to adopt the Mitsubishi Triton’s leaf-spring rear suspension, marking a shift from the previous model’s coil-spring setup, which received mixed reviews. Nissan will also ensure its workhorse credentials remain competitive, with towing and payload capacities likely to match rivals such as the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger.
The current sixth-generation Mitsubishi Triton, introduced in 2023, comes equipped with a 2.4-liter turbodiesel engine producing 201 hp (150 kW / 204 PS) in its most powerful variant. This engine could make its way into the next Nissan Navara, carrying on the model’s legacy of diesel power
More: Nissan Hints At Navara Nismo For Next-Gen Truck
Further down the line, an electrified variant—either hybrid or plug-in hybrid—is expected, helping the Navara stay relevant as emissions regulations tighten and competitors introduce greener alternatives.
Nissan has also hinted at something a bit more exciting: a high-performance Nismo version. If it materializes, it could take on the Ford Ranger Raptor with a more potent V6 engine and a chassis tuned for even better off-road capability.
While Nissan hasn’t set an official debut date for the next-gen Navara, it has confirmed the truck will arrive before March 2027. Meanwhile, in China, the company is preparing to launch the Yuanye Z9, a separate midsize pickup that may have little to do with the global Navara.
