Nissan Confirms Plug-in Hybrid Version of the Frontier Pickup
Nissan is getting ready to give its popular Frontier pickup truck a plug-in hybrid version. This move will help the company stay competitive as more truck makers move toward hybrid and electric power.
While Nissan hasn’t shared many details yet, the plan is clear: the Frontier will be electrified.
Right now, Nissan is also working on a plug-in hybrid version of the Rogue SUV. But that setup may not work well in a pickup truck like the Frontier, which needs more power and towing ability.
Nissan is expected to use a stronger hybrid system for the Frontier to make sure it still drives like a real truck. A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) setup would let drivers use electricity for short trips while still having gas for longer drives.
In a recent talk with Motor Trend, Nissan’s Chief Planning Officer for the Americas, Ponz Pandikuthira, said a hybrid Frontier is important for the truck’s future. He explained that a plug-in hybrid makes sense because it can handle all kinds of driving—whether you’re in the city or pulling a trailer. He said the truck needs to keep its toughness, towing strength, and better fuel use.
Although Nissan hasn’t confirmed what engine or system the hybrid Frontier will use, there are guesses.
The PHEV version of the Rogue may use a 2.4-liter engine with twin electric motors, similar to the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, which makes about 248 horsepower. However, that might not be enough power for a mid-size truck. In comparison, Ford recently revealed a hybrid Ranger with 278 horsepower—but it’s not coming to the U.S. yet.
So, when can we expect the hybrid Frontier? Not for a while. Pandikuthira says 2028 is the target year. “We need to have a solution by then,” he said. That gives Nissan about three years to finish developing the hybrid system.
There’s another big change coming, too. Nissan is thinking about combining the Frontier with another truck it sells in other countries—the Navara. This would create one global pickup model. The new truck would be built on a new platform that supports gas engines, hybrids, and more.
In short, Nissan is preparing for the future. With a hybrid Frontier on the way and plans to make one global truck model, the company is making big moves to keep up with the changing auto world.
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