Specifications tailored for Oceania, tested for real-world capability
Australia has played a central role in the development of the all-new Navara Pro PHEV for Oceania.
This has been considerably more than a validation exercise. Australian and New Zealand customer needs have directly influenced the evaluation and specification of the vehicle, drawing on Nissan Australia’s experience across five generations of Navara and its deep understanding of local customer expectations, vehicle dynamics and commercial vehicle tuning for Australian conditions.
The first Navara Pro PHEV prototype vehicles arrived in Australia in 2025, beginning an extensive local development and evaluation program.
Teams from Nissan Australia, Nissan Motor Limited (NML Japan) and Zhengzhou Nissan Automobile (ZNA) have worked together throughout the program to assess the vehicle against the demands of the region, with insights fed through to Nissan Motor Limited (NML) and Nissan’s Light Commercial Vehicle development centre in Zhengzhou City.Five development and prototype vehicles have been brought to Australia throughout the program. Collectively, they have currently travelled more than 20,000 kilometres in Australian conditions, with testing continuing.
The program has evaluated and refined key elements of the Navara Pro PHEV, including powertrains, suspension, ADAS calibration, terrain and drive modes, tyres, differential-lock configurations, towing and load performance.
Powertrain development included evaluation of both the globally announced 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol PHEV drivetrain and a new 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol PHEV drivetrain. Extensive assessment of the two options against local customer expectations — particularly around towing, payload and sustained performance — led to the selection of the 2.0-litre powertrain for Oceania.
“Australia wasn’t simply where we tested Navara Pro PHEV. It was one of the markets helping shape it. The depth of local evaluation and the collaboration between our teams in Australia, Japan and China reflect the importance of Oceania to the development of this vehicle,” said Steve Milette.
“We have put the vehicle through thousands of kilometres of real Australian conditions because we know what customers here expect from a ute. The result is a Navara Pro PHEV specification developed specifically to deliver electrification without compromising the capability that defines the segment.”
Electrified performance
The Oceania-specification Navara Pro PHEV pairs a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a high-output electric motor integrated into an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The system delivers a preliminary 300kW of combined power and 800Nm of combined torque (subject to homologation), providing the performance and flexibility expected from a serious 4x4 workhorse while adding the efficiency and performance benefits of electrification.The 8-speed transmission also provides broad versatility, including low-range crawling capability for demanding off-road conditions and low-rpm cruising at highway speeds for relaxed and efficient long-distance driving.
The Navara Pro PHEV will offer four selectable drive modes (ECO, Standard, Sport & Slippery) and seven terrain modes (Standard, Deep Snow, Mud, Sand, Rock, Wading & Expert). Each mode adjusts the vehicle’s powertrain, steering and traction-control mapping to optimise performance across a broad range of driving conditions and requirements.Available Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability will provide access to electrical power on the go, adding further versatility for work, touring, camping and recreational use.
Genuine 4x4 capability
The Navara Pro PHEV has been designed first and foremost as a genuine 4x4 workhorse — not simply a ute with a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Its off-road capability is underpinned by a mechanical 4x4 system, extensively tuned terrain and drive modes, and mechanical differential-lock capability.As part of the extensive local evaluation program, Nissan has tested and validated mechanical front, rear and combined differential-lock configurations, alongside different suspension and tyres, to establish a specification suited to the region’s diverse requirements.The Navara Pro PHEV will offer approximately 1,000kg of payload* and a 3,500kg braked towing capacity‡ as traditionally expected by buyers in this segment, subject to final homologation.
The combination of electrified performance, genuine four-wheel-drive capability, towing capacity and payload is designed to address the combination of work, towing, touring and off-road driving that defines the Australian and New Zealand ute market.
Suspension and local testing
As part of the local development program, Nissan has extensively assessed suspension configurations for the Oceania market, including both leaf-spring and multi-link coil-spring rear suspension. The final suspension configuration for Australia will be confirmed closer to the start of sales next year.
Driver assistance systems have undergone local testing and calibration, while terrain and drive-mode systems have been evaluated and extensively tuned for Australian and New Zealand conditions.
Design inspired by Nissan heritage
The Navara Pro PHEV pays homage to a specific design element from Nissan’s ute heritage, chiefly, the three-slot hood opening of the 1980s D21 Hardbody pickup.
The Navara Pro PHEV reinterprets the D21’s spirit through a trio of horizontal LED elements positioned above the grille — a contemporary lighting signature that evolves the original three-slot motif into a new era.
This modern execution not only pays homage to the vehicle’s heritage, but also uses illumination to signal the Navara Pro PHEV’s advanced, electrified capability and forward-looking identity.
Versatility for work and weekends
The Navara Pro PHEV has been designed as a genuine dual-purpose pick-up — as capable of supporting a working week as it is of a weekend off-road camping adventure.
The five-seat dual-cab configuration is complemented by a range of available technology and comfort features. Technology and features vary, depending on grade, but can include a large central touchscreen and digital instrument cluster, panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats.
Refined materials and extensive soundproofing throughout reflect the Navara Pro PHEV’s premium brief, while V2L capability provides additional practical functionality for customers who need portable electrical power.Final equipment and specifications for the Australian-market vehicle will be confirmed ahead of launch.
“This isn’t a work ute with some tech bolted in — the all-new Navara Pro PHEV has been built from the outset for buyers who expect a premium experience, whether they’re on the highway or on an outback track.” said Steve Milette.
Calibrated specifically for Australia and New Zealand
The Navara Pro PHEV arriving in Oceania will not be an off-the-shelf global specification.The selection of the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine and integrated 8-speed electric-motor transmission reflects the importance of towing, payload and long-distance capability to customers in Australia and New Zealand.
Thousands of kilometres of local development testing have helped Nissan assess the vehicle across real-world conditions, while extensive collaboration between Nissan teams in Australia, Japan and China has allowed local insights to be fed into the vehicle’s development.The result is a Navara Pro PHEV specification specifically selected for Oceania: electrified performance combined with genuine 4x4 capability, serious towing and payload credentials, and extensive local engineering validation.
Confidence for the long haul
The Navara Pro PHEV will be backed by Nissan’s commitment to ownership confidence, including the Nissan MORE 10-Year, 300,000km extended warranty (whichever occurs first, when servicing with Nissan),^ and Nissan’s extensive dealer network across Australia.For customers, that means the capability to go further — backed by the support and confidence of Nissan behind them well beyond the confines of the major metropolitan cities.
