2025 Nissan Frontier Pro hybrid ute revealed

Nissan has showcased its 300kW challenger to electric-hybrid pickups from GWM and BYD, the Nissan Frontier Pro, at the 2025 Shanghai motor show – and it could come to Australia.

The innovative pickup packs more than 400hp (302kW) and 800Nm from its 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and single electric motor powertrain, has proper 4x4 system with a rear diff and multiple power points in the tray – and is headed for distribution across " international markets within twelve months.”

That’s the word from Ikyo Miyai, Nissan’s vehicle development manager, who wouldn’t rule out an Australian debut in future.

Miyai explained that the first export markets would likely be Latin America and that right hand drive versions were under consideration. He said there was no reason Nissan product built in China couldn’t be sold in Australia.

Nissan Australia also provided a statement and while it didn't confirm the vehicle for Australia, neither did it shut the door on its potential arrival into Aussie showrooms: "We’re excited to see the all-new Frontier Pro plug-in hybrid unveiled at Auto Shanghai. This model is planned for export to select global markets which will be announced in the future."

At present the power-packed petrol-electric Nissan ute is destined to arrive in Chinese showrooms in the second half of 2025 and if it makes it to Australia would be a direct rival for the BYD Shark 6, GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV and Ford Ranger PHEV.

Essentially a rebranded version of the Dongfeng Z9 dual-cab petrol-electric ute, it’s not clear if the new ute would be rebadged as a Navara in Australia.

Some of the key features include a 3.5 tonne towing capacity, a 700mm wading depth, a theoretical 1046km cruising range distance and a 135km EV range from its battery pack, whose density is yet to be determined.

Fuel efficiency is quoted at 6.9L/100km.

It features a fancy-looking cabin with a panoramic roof, 10-inch instrument display and big 14.6-inch infotainment screen, with heated/ventilated front seats and massage function available. Adventure-ready features include roof rails and electronic retractable cargo cover and the whole kit and kaboodle was co-developed with Zhengzhou Nissan, or ZNA.

Unlike the BYD Shark 6, however, the Nissan Frontier Pro has a single – not dual – e-motor that is housed in the transmission and together with the 1.5-litre petrol engine they provide drive to the centre diff to turn all four wheels.

It also has a rear diff, is based on a ladder chassis and has coil springs at the rear like the Shark 6 – where the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux have leaf rear springs.

Vehicle-to-load or V2L functionality is in there, with two power points in the bed, enabling owners to power external electrical equipment using the vehicle's battery reserves.

Some specifications of the new 2025 Nissan Frontier Pro have not been locked in but Nissan will announce more detail close to the vehicle’s domestic launch in the Chinese Autumn.