If you take a look at the current crop of midsize pickups in the market today, most received major redesigns within the decade. We say most, because there is one model that still comes from the 2010s.
That model is the Nissan Navara, and it’s easily the oldest model in its class. Introduced in 2014, it’s by far the most, er, seasoned pickup you can buy these days. It’s still a good truck, mind you, but the competition offers far fresher offerings.
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Nissan is well aware of that, which is why it finally confirmed the launch year of its next-generation midsize pickup. 2026 is the year, and that’s according to Nissan’s chairperson for AMIEO (Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania), Guillaume Cartier.
The executive also confirmed that it will use the same foundations as the all-new Mitsubishi Triton. That’s not much of a surprise as Nissan and Mitsubishi are in one alliance. But even more surprising is that there will be an electrified model down the line.
Granted, electrified pickups aren’t a new idea. Toyota currently sells a mild-hybrid version of the Hilux in select markets. Then there’s BYD with the Shark featuring plug-in hybrid technology. Does this mean we’ll see e-Power tech make it to the third-generation Nissan Navara? Well, no.
Instead, Nissan will turn to Mitsubishi to power its hybridized Navara. There are no exact details just yet, but it’s set to use Mitsubishi’s plug-in hybrid system. It’ll likely be similar or the same as the one that currently powers the Outlander PHEV.
Of course, diesel power will also be available. But what isn’t certain is the source of that engine. It is yet to be confirmed if the next Navara will stick with a Nissan engine or if it will pluck the same one from the Triton. Either way, we now know when it’s coming and how closely related it will be with the Mitsubishi.
