Australia’s growing plug-in hybrid ute scene is about to get even busier. Nissan has quietly confirmed the Frontier Pro PHEV for local release in 2027, giving the brand its first electrified ute and a critical partner to the next-gen Navara.
The news surfaced after a dealer-only gala in Adelaide, where Nissan Australia presented the Frontier Pro to its network just one night after unveiling the new D27 Navara in the Adelaide Hills. Media was not invited, and Nissan has not issued a public announcement, but multiple dealer sources have confirmed the launch plan.
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Why It Matters
The Frontier Pro fills a major gap in Nissan’s strategy. With the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard tightening each year, a low-emissions PHEV ute will help offset Navara’s diesel footprint and keep Nissan competitive.
Nissan Oceania boss Andrew Humberstone has previously described the PHEV as an “absolute fit” for Australia. He has also hinted that right-hand drive development would take roughly six months, making a 2027 arrival realistic.
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What It Competes With
By the time it arrives, the Frontier Pro will land in a very crowded PHEV ute field. Its rivals will include:
Direct competitors
- BYD Shark 6 PHEV
- GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV
- Ford Ranger PHEV
Incoming PHEV rivals
- Chery ute based on the Rely KP3X
- JAC T9 PHEV arriving early 2026
Electric ute competition
- KGM Musso EV in December
- Toyota HiLux BEV in 2026
- LDV eTerron 9 EV (TBC)
- Isuzu D-Max EV (TBC)
Australia has never seen a ute transition this quickly to electrification, and the Frontier Pro will be right in the centre of that shift.
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Power and Range
The Frontier Pro is not a reworked Navara. It is based on the Dongfeng Z9 platform and becomes Nissan’s first global PHEV model. The specs are surprisingly strong:
Powertrain highlights
- 1.5 litre turbo petrol engine
- Transmission-mounted electric motor
- 300 kW combined power
- 800 Nm combined torque
Efficiency and range
- 135 km EV range on the CLTC test
- 6.9 L per 100 km fuel consumption
Capability
- 3500 kg braked towing
- 700 mm wading depth
- Electro-mechanical rear locking differential
- Vehicle-to-load with 6 kW output
Nissan is clearly positioning the Frontier Pro not as a fuel-saving ute but as a powerful workhorse that happens to be efficient.
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Tech and Comfort
Even though it is aimed at workers and families alike, the cabin offers the most modern layout of any Nissan ute to date.
Interior features
- 10 inch digital instrument display
- 14.6 inch touchscreen
- Heated, ventilated and massaging front seats (optional)
- Panoramic sunroof
Driving modes
- Hybrid mode
- Electric mode
- Performance mode
- Snow mode
Five-link rear suspension and full-time four-wheel drive round out the setup.
Why Nissan Needs It
Nissan’s local sales have slipped 17.7 per cent this year and the brand has fallen out of Australia’s top ten. The Frontier Pro, along with a flood of new models, forms a recovery plan that begins with:
- D27 Navara in early 2026
- Updated X-Trail and Qashqai in 2026
- All-new Patrol in early 2027
- Potential Dongfeng-sourced models such as the N6 PHEV sedan, N7 EV sedan and new electrified SUVs
If all goes to plan, 2027 could be the year Nissan resets its momentum in Australia.
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