- Nissan has revealed the all-new Navara ute at a globally-streamed event in Adelaide.
- The new ute is closely related to the Mitsubishi Triton, but features distinctive frontal styling.
- Most importantly, it also features Nissan-specific locally tuned suspension by Premcar.
Nissan has officially unveiled its next-generation Navara ute, confirming that the Oceania region will be the first market globally to receive the new model.
This strategic debut, held ahead of the vehicle's showroom arrival at the end of the first quarter of 2026, sees Australia and New Zealand becoming key proving grounds for Nissan’s global pickup strategy, with the launch in the first quarter of next year being scheduled to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the Navara nameplate in the region.
At the reveal event, Nissan’s region vice president for marketing and mobility for the AMIEO region (Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania), Arnaud Charpentier, emphasised that the decision to launch in Oceania first stems from the region's status as the most complex and demanding market for utes worldwide and that this environment serves as a reference market for the company.
The new Navara is built on what Nissan calls “a robust Alliance platform” (what everyone else calls “the Mitsubishi Triton”) but features distinctive Nissan styling and locally tuned ride and handling.
Andrew Humberstone, managing director of Nissan Oceania, said that this focus represents a commitment to meet the specific requirements of Australian and NZ drivers.
While the new Navara uses the same sheet metal, chassis and drivetrain as the Mitsubishi Triton, Nissan has focused its efforts on distinct frontal styling and, most importantly, a comprehensive local engineering program focused on suspension and handling.
Recognising that the Navara is used extensively across diverse and often arduous local conditions, Nissan collaborated with Melbourne-based Premcar, the company behind the Navara Warrior, to tune the suspension specifically for the region.
The local suspension development was described as one of the most extensive engineering projects undertaken by Nissan in Australia and, according to Premcar CEO Bernie Quinn, included investing countless man-hours and conducting a rigorous testing regimen, driving the new Navara over 18,000km across every conceivable surface, from corrugated Outback tracks to heavy-loaded urban stop-start traffic.
During the validation test program, 137 different damper codes were trialled, using more than 550 internal damper permutations.
This process resulted in the development of three separate suspension specifications tailored for different usage cases across the range, depending on model and wheel/tyre packages.
Quinn says the aim of the tuning was to improve steering response and feel, and to achieve a balance between primary ride (control over lower frequency, high-amplitude bumps) and secondary ride comfort (handling higher frequency impacts). The testing was conducted over approximately 12 months and physical changes included replacing all four dampers with larger, Australian-made units featuring an internal rebound spring technology to enhance control while maintaining comfort.
"We saw a lot of benefit from changing the dampers and going to a much larger diameter damper, internal rebound spring on the front damper,” said Quinn.
“Really, it's brought that Nissan Navara DNA, maybe even a little bit of Warrior DNA into that vehicle. It wasn’t necessary to change other things like springs and bump stops or suspension geometry as the architecture is actually really, really good.”
A Warrior version of the Navara will join the range eventually, with Nissan displaying a concept version of the hardcore off-roader at the Narvara reveal.
The Navara offers competitive towing and payload figures, with a maximum braked towing capacity of 3500kg across all models, and an unbraked capacity of 750kg. Payload capacity ranges between 950-1047kg.
With ground clearance of 228mm, the Navara features two 4WD systems, with lower grade models getting the "Easy 4WD" system that automatically switches between two-wheel drive for cruising and four-wheel drive for extra traction, along with an electronic rear differential lock standard for challenging off-road scenarios.
The ST-X and PRO-4X grades are equipped with a "Super 4WD" system that provides a full-time high-range mode using an open centre differential and incorporates a Torsen Limited Slip Differential for enhanced cornering stability. These grades also feature seven selectable terrain modes: Normal, Eco, Gravel, Snow, Mud, Sand, and Rock.
Nissan says that given that over 90% of customers for the outgoing D23 model selected a double cab pickup with an automatic transmission, it has simplified the Navara launch lineup, offering the next-generation model exclusively in this body style from its debut. The company intends to focus on a more simplistic grade structure, similar to entry, mid, and top range, to make selection easier for both consumers and dealers, but won’t rule out additional body styles further down the line.
Slotting in the Navara look
Navara designer Ken Lee says the ute’s exterior design draws on Nissan’s heritage, blending “rugged features with modern sophistication”. Lee says the design department spent time in Australia during the Navara’s development and as a result, key design elements were inspired by local use, including modified utes and the large bull bars observed by Nissan’s global design team during their trip.
The front fascia incorporates a bull bar-inspired grille that uses Nissan’s signature V-strut shield shape in the mesh, while the three-slot design positioned atop the grille pays tribute to the D21 Navara.
Inside the new Navara
The changes from the Mitsubishi are less evident inside, with the Navara using largely the same interior as the Triton. This does mean increased space over the last Navara, with an additional 29mm of front shoulder room and 42mm of rear leg room compared to the D23.
Cargo capacity is also improved, with the cargo bed length extended by 46 mm from the D23, ensuring it can accommodate a Euro size pallet between the wheel arches.
Inside, all models come standard with a 9-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity, while wireless smartphone charging is standard on ST-X and PRO-4X grades.
A full suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) is included in all models, featuring Emergency Lane Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, Emergency Assist for Pedal Misapplication, and LED headlamps/taillights from the base grade. Other ADAS features include Blind Spot Warning with Lane Change Assist, Front and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, High Beam Assist, Intelligent Speed Limiter, and a Driver Monitoring System.
Warranty and pricing
In the Australian market the Navara is backed by a 10-year/300,000km warranty when serviced at a Nissan service outlet, with up to 5 Years Flat Price Servicing, and up to 10-Year/300,000km Roadside Assistance. Nissan Oceania boss Andreew Humberstone says the extended warranty will be offered in NZ shortly.
Nissan says it will reveal pricing closer to the Navara’s 2026 launch and has yet to confirm the exact model lineup, other than saying there will be a number of entry and mid-spec models, with a premium ST-X model and a rugged Pro-X topping the range.
