Earlier this week, Nissan introduced the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid—a vehicle that is essentially a rebadged Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Now, the company is unveiling yet another model built on Mitsubishi foundations, but this time it’s a very different type of machine. Say hello to the all-new Nissan Navara, a mid-size pickup truck derived from the latest-generation Mitsubishi Triton that debuted in 2023. Platform sharing is common practice in this competitive segment. The Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok, for instance, share much of their engineering, while the Mazda BT-50 is heavily based on the Isuzu D-Max. Even the previous Navara had siblings: it shared its underpinnings with the Renault Alaskan and the short-lived Mercedes-Benz X-Class. Meanwhile, in China, the Dongfeng Rich 6 is essentially a Navara under another badge. This strategy helps manufacturers cut costs and speed up development—key advantages in the crowded pickup market.
However, Nissan didn’t simply apply its emblem and call it a day. The fourth-generation Navara went through extensive testing in Australia, where local engineering firm Premcar helped tailor the suspension for a wide array of real-world tasks. Their evaluation covered city driving, rough off-road trails, heavy towing, and hauling full payloads. The goal was to ensure the Navara performs reliably in every environment where a work-focused truck is expected to excel.
While the new Navara’s design clearly reveals its Triton origins, Nissan has made a genuine effort to give the pickup its own personality. In fact, many might find it more visually appealing than its Mitsubishi counterpart. Although much of the bodywork is shared, the redesigned front end lends the Navara a more muscular appearance. Details such as the three-slot grille pattern pay tribute to the classic D21 Navara, while the “C-shaped” lighting signature at both the front and rear helps differentiate it further from its donor model.
The version showcased here is the rugged PRO-4X trim, which features several off-road enhancements. Nissan also previewed a more extreme Warrior concept—a variant currently under development by Premcar. Based on the PRO-4X, the Warrior gains a raised suspension setup, custom 17-inch wheels wrapped in 32-inch tires, wider fenders, stronger underbody protection, and additional driving lights. It also offers a 3,500-kg rated towbar and a wider track. Unique visual touches such as lava-red accents and bold Warrior branding appear inside and out.
All Navara models for Australia will be powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged diesel engine producing 201 horsepower and 470 Nm of torque, paired exclusively with a six-speed automatic transmission. Entry-level versions feature an electronic locking rear differential and the “Easy 4WD” system, which engages four-wheel drive only when extra traction is required. Higher trims like the ST-X and PRO-4X upgrade to the more advanced “Super 4WD” system equipped with a Torsen limited-slip differential. Drivers can choose from seven drive modes: Normal, Eco, Gravel, Snow, Mud, Sand, and Rock. All variants use electric power steering—a notable difference compared to the new Toyota Hilux, which still retains hydraulic steering in some markets. Payload capacity ranges between 950 and 1,047 kilograms depending on the configuration. For now, Nissan is only displaying the truck in a double-cab layout.
Inside, the Triton influence is obvious, aside from the absence of the Mitsubishi badge on the steering wheel. Every Navara trim includes a nine-inch infotainment screen and a seven-inch digital driver display accompanied by analog gauges. Thankfully, Nissan has kept many physical buttons, a welcome feature for anyone who prefers quick and distraction-free access to key controls.
Despite its tough roots, the new Navara isn’t lacking modern safety features. Its driver-assistance systems include adaptive cruise control, automatic headlights, traffic sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring with lane-change assistance, and emergency lane support. There’s also an intelligent safety system designed to prevent unintended acceleration in case the driver mistakenly presses the wrong pedal.
Nissan plans to launch the new Navara in Australia and New Zealand during the first quarter of next year.