Nissan Navara Pro PHEV may offer a choice of leaf or coil rear suspension

Suspension choice still open

The China-built Navara Pro plug-in hybrid is still under development for the Australia and New Zealand markets, and Nissan engineers have told CarExpert that both leaf-spring and coil-spring rear suspension setups are being evaluated ahead of the 2027 local launch. "We've got two suspension types that we've been evaluating, so both leaf spring and coil spring, and various iterations of each as part of that evaluation," the engineers said during a technical briefing, as reported by CarExpert. ¹

Asked whether both configurations could be offered to customers, the engineers told CarExpert: "That is an option. We haven't decided which options we're going to have, but that is an option." Nissan has yet to confirm which setup will make production, and it remains unclear whether any future suspension choice would be linked to particular grades or body styles. ¹

The rationale, according to the engineers' comments to CarExpert, is that ute buyers now expect what they described as a "Goldilocks-like system" that rides like a passenger car, holds strong posture at high payload and feels secure when towing big loads. CarExpert notes that leaf springs are commonly used in work-focused utes for carrying heavy loads, while coil springs can offer different ride and handling characteristics, though the outcome depends on overall suspension design and tuning rather than spring type alone. ¹

A decision with historical weight

The dual-evaluation approach echoes the previous D23-generation Navara, which CarExpert reports offered both suspension types: leaf springs on single-cab and King Cab models and coil springs on dual-cab variants. That split was abandoned with the current D27 series, launched this year and based on the Mitsubishi Triton, which uses leaf-spring rear suspension across the range. ¹

If both configurations make production on the Navara Pro PHEV, it could revive a point of difference for Nissan in the ute segment. Separately, NRMA's Open Road reports that Nissan extensively assessed both leaf-sprung and multi-link coil-sprung rear suspension options during local testing, with a final decision to be confirmed closer to the start of sales. ¹³

Australian-specific powertrain

Regardless of which springs are chosen, the Australian-market Navara Pro PHEV will differ from its Chinese counterpart. CarExpert reports it will use a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine instead of the 1.5-litre unit fitted in China, paired with an electric motor integrated into an eight-speed automatic transmission, with combined outputs of 300kW and 800Nm targeted although subject to final homologation. ¹²

Nissan says it evaluated both 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol PHEV drivetrains for the region before selecting the larger engine, citing towing, payload and sustained performance, as reported by CarExpert. Chasing Cars notes the 1.5-litre setup overseas is rated at 320kW/800Nm, slightly above the 300kW/800Nm quoted for the Australian 2.0-litre model, which the publication suggests could be down to how outputs are measured in different markets. ²⁵

On battery specifics, Chasing Cars reports the overseas 1.5-litre Frontier Pro uses a 33kWh lithium-ion battery with about 131km of electric-only driving under the NEDC standard, and that most plug-in dual-cab rivals offer roughly 100km of EV range – about what it expects from the Nissan. Nissan has not announced the Australian model's battery capacity or range. ²⁵

Capability targets and off-road hardware

Nissan is targeting a 1000kg payload and 3500kg braked towing capacity for the Navara Pro PHEV, figures that remain subject to final homologation. According to CarExpert, if achieved they would align the electrified ute with conventional diesel dual-cabs, and current PHEV rivals trail on payload, including the BYD Shark 6 Performance at 725kg, the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV at 685kg, the Ford Ranger Hybrid Wildtrak at 901kg and the JAC T9 PHEV at 915kg. ¹²

The ute uses a mechanical four-wheel-drive system with differential-lock capability, and CarExpert reports Nissan has evaluated front, rear and combined differential-lock configurations locally alongside different suspension and tyre setups. Four drive modes (Eco, Standard, Sport and Slippery) and seven terrain modes (Standard, Deep Snow, Mud, Sand, Rock, Wading and Expert) are confirmed, along with vehicle-to-load functionality. ¹²³

CarExpert also reports Nissan is evaluating a wider range of hardware and calibration options for the Australian model, including tyres, differential configurations, towing performance, payload capability and off-road driving modes. It remains unclear whether payload and towing ratings would vary between suspension configurations if both make production. ¹

A first for Nissan, shaped locally

The Navara Pro PHEV is Nissan's first electrified ute anywhere and the first plug-in hybrid the brand has sold in Australia, as AutoTalk Australia reports. The China-built model is confirmed for Australia and New Zealand, which will be among the first right-hand-drive markets to receive it. ²⁴⁶

Nissan says Australia helped shape the vehicle rather than simply serving as a test venue. According to CarExpert and NRMA's Open Road, five development and prototype vehicles have covered more than 20,000km of Australian testing since 2025, informing validation work on the powertrain, suspension, ADAS calibration, terrain and drive modes, tyres, differential lock, towing and load performance. ²³

"Australia wasn't simply where we tested Navara Pro PHEV. It was one of the markets helping shape it," said Steve Milette, managing director of Nissan Oceania, as quoted by CarExpert. AutoTalk Australia similarly reports the program covered suspension, ADAS calibration, tyres, differential-lock setups and towing and load performance, with testing continuing. ²⁴

What remains unknown

Battery capacity and electric-only range for the Australian model have not been announced. CarExpert reports final specifications, equipment and pricing will be confirmed closer to the 2027 launch, while NRMA's Open Road notes the equivalent Dongfeng Z9 underpinnings offer a 32.85kWh battery and 135km electric range, and that the local PHEV's own figures await completion of homologation. ¹²³

The Navara Pro PHEV will be backed by Nissan's 10-year/300,000km warranty when serviced through authorised Nissan dealers, subject to service-activation conditions, CarExpert reports. On price, NRMA's Open Road suggests the PHEV is expected to command upwards of $75,000 plus on-road costs, given the current diesel Navara Pro-4X tops out at $68,418 plus on-road costs, though Nissan has not announced pricing. ²³