Nissan is taking a significant step toward electrifying its popular mid-size pickup truck, the Frontier, as the global auto industry continues to move rapidly toward hybrid and electric vehicles. This strategic decision places Nissan in line with key trends in the pickup segment, where hybrid and electric options are becoming increasingly common. Simultaneously, Nissan is exploring the idea of merging the Frontier with its global counterpart, the Navara—a model of similar size sold in markets such as Australia, Asia, and parts of Central and South America.
The push to electrify the Frontier doesn’t come as a surprise. While the spotlight often falls on fully electric trucks like the Tesla Cybertruck, Rivian R1T, and Chevrolet Silverado EV, those options aren’t practical for all truck buyers—particularly those who rely on their vehicles for long-distance driving or heavy-duty work. That’s where hybrid trucks can offer a more balanced alternative. Major competitors like Toyota, Ford, and Ram already offer hybrid pickup trucks, and Nissan is now aiming to ensure it doesn’t lag behind in this evolving space.
In a recent interview with *Motor Trend*, Nissan’s Chief Planning Officer for the Americas, Ponz Pandikuthira, emphasized the importance of hybrid technology for the future of the Frontier. He explained that for the Frontier to remain competitive and meet increasingly strict emissions regulations, a hybrid system—particularly a plug-in hybrid (PHEV)—will be necessary. Such a system, he suggested, would provide the perfect mix of capability and efficiency: ideal for both city commuting and heavier tasks such as towing, while preserving the rugged appeal of a traditional body-on-frame pickup.
Although no specific details were shared about the powertrain that might be used, Nissan has experience with hybrid systems like its e-Power series, though none of them currently include a plug-in variant. However, speculation suggests that the company may borrow technology from the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, which features a 2.4-liter engine paired with twin electric motors. This setup delivers a combined 248 horsepower—sufficient for an SUV but possibly underpowered for a work-focused pickup like the Frontier.
Meanwhile, Ford recently announced a plug-in hybrid version of the Ranger with 278 horsepower, though it won’t be offered in the U.S. market in the near future. For Nissan, the path forward is clear but will take time. Pandikuthira confirmed that a hybrid version of the Frontier likely won’t be ready until around 2028, giving the company a three-year window to develop a robust solution.
Looking ahead, Nissan’s ambitions go beyond just electrifying the Frontier. Pandikuthira also mentioned plans to merge the Frontier and Navara into a unified global model. This future pickup would be built on an all-new platform capable of supporting multiple powertrain types, including internal combustion engines (ICE) and plug-in hybrids. “Ideally, we’d like to have a global convergence solution,” he told *Motor Trend*, signaling a bold shift toward standardization and innovation in Nissan’s global truck strategy.