by Nissan has unveiled the new Navara/Frontier for Latin America, which looks like an extensive facelift. The company will also launch a one-ton pickup in Oceania, based on Mitsubishi. These models differ from the North America Frontier and the Chinese-spec Yuanye Z9 of the same size. Nissan is working on updates for various global markets amidst financial challenges. Among them are a new version of Navara/Frontier for Latin America, a new mid-size pickup for Australia, and Yuanye Z9 for China — each tailored to a specific region.
Overall, Nissan will soon have three different mid-size pickups, each intended for a particular market. The strategy may seem less efficient than developing a single global model for this popular segment, but Nissan has its reasons. None of them are entirely new designs, helping save valuable resources on research and development. Let’s delve into what’s planned at Nissan, region by region. **Navara/Frontier in South America**
First came the Nissan Navara/Frontier for South America, planned for 2026 or early 2027.
If you’re expecting a revolutionary overhaul, you’ll be disappointed. Instead, Nissan opts for an extensive facelift of the current Navara/Frontier D23, which has been around since 2014. You could describe this as a cosmetic update rather than a full transformation. **Australian Successor to the Navara**
In Australia, the situation is slightly different. The current model will soon be retired, making way for a new, modern design.
This one is also set to debut around 2026 or early 2027 and will compete with the best-selling Ford Ranger and Mitsubishi Triton. There haven’t been many invitations from Nissan yet, but they describe the upcoming pickup as “a brand new one-ton pickup,” developed in collaboration with Mitsubishi Motors. Nissan didn’t use the Navara name for this new model, although it remains the most likely choice. We also know that the pickup will be manufactured in Thailand by Mitsubishi. This pickup will share a platform with a ladder frame and a 2.4-liter turbocharged diesel engine from the sixth-gen Triton unveiled in 2023.
But don’t expect just a simple rebadge. High-ranking Nissan executives have hinted at significant changes in design and engineering to meet their market expectations. **North American Frontier and a Surprise from China**
As for North America, the third generation Frontier, which debuted in 2021, continues its path with only minor updates and exclusively with a non-electrified 3.8-liter V6 engine. Despite its modern look, it’s still based on an updated version of the same ladder frame chassis from the D40 Frontier/Navara, which dates back to 2004. It might seem like a bit of a stretch, but it’s working.
The Frontier remains a reliable and dependable choice, even if it doesn’t break new ground. It’s expected to stay at least until the 2029 model year. Don’t forget about Yuanye Z9. This model, built under the Dongfeng-Nissan joint venture in China, is entirely unrelated to the Navara or Frontier. It’s a completely different beast with its own styling language.
At 217.3 inches (5520 mm) long, the Chinese truck has a larger footprint than the Nissan Navara and Mitsubishi Triton but slightly smaller than the long bed version of the American Nissan Frontier. By protocol, the Yuanye Z9 will be available with gasoline, diesel, and plug-in hybrid powertrains.
