In America, Nissan unveiled the third generation of their Frontier mid-size pickup in 2021. But in markets outside the U.S., it continues to offer the Navara, which has been around in its third iteration since 2014, receiving a facelift back in 2020. That said, it’s starting to get a bit long in the tooth, yet the prospect of a next-generation model remains shrouded in mystery. We’re in the dark because, frankly, we haven’t caught a glimpse of any spy shots of development prototypes.
However, if we put on our thinking caps, it seems likely that the successor to the Navara midsize pickup will share its underpinnings with the new Mitsubishi Triton. And in the world of speculation, rendering virtuoso Theophilus Chin has treated us to a couple of speculative renderings of the next Navara, drawing inspiration from the bold front end of a large van.
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The independent digital artist kept the greenhouse, hard points, and profile largely unchanged, following the trend seen in most sibling pickups (like the Ford Ranger and VW Amarok). However, he gave the Triton a significant facelift, incorporating the grille and headlights of the Nissan Interstar – a brand-new large van that shares its platform with the Renault Master
Illustrations by Theottle
Theottle also incorporated a new pair of LED taillights at the rear, along with a redesigned tailgate featuring Navara lettering. Additionally, he made changes to the wheels and tweaked the fenders, injecting more Nissan flair into the mix. It remains to be seen whether a future Navara will differentiate more or less from its mechanically-related Mitsubishi counterpart.
The new generation of the Mitsubishi Triton / L200 is available with the 2.4-liter turbodiesel in three different outputs, producing 148 hp (110 kW / 150 PS), 181 hp (135 kW / 184 PS), or 201 hp (150 kW / 204 PS).
These specifications could potentially be mirrored by Nissan, although rumors suggest a hybrid gasoline motor may be in the cards for the future. Additionally, the Mitsubishi provides the option between two different 4WD systems, with high-spec trims boasting several off-road driving modes.
Nissan is keeping its cards close to the chest regarding the debut date of the new Navara, but rumors suggest the model could arrive by 2025. Competitors of the Nissan Navara in the one-tonne midsize pickup class include the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, VW Amarok, Mitsubishi Triton, Mazda BT-50, and Isuzu D-Max.
Note: The independent renderings are off-the-record and unrelated to Nissan