Our best look yet? Nissan Navara 2026: New renders reveal Mitsubishi Triton-based ute, ahead of November 19 debut

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Following the lukewarm reception given to the existing fourth-generation D23/NP300 Navara throughout its decade-long lifespan in Australia, Nissan is pinning its diesel-ute hopes on the forthcoming fifth-generation model which will arrive here during the first half of 2026.  

The reveal for the 2026 Navara is now just days away, due to be unveiled on November 19th.

To commemorate the event, Chasing Cars has tasked artist Theottle with creating exclusive renderings of what we think the new Navara will look like based on all the latest teasers and spy pictures.

Heavily based on the sixth-generation Mitsubishi Triton – Mitsubishi was given responsibility for developing this next-generation ute for the Renault–Nissan–Mitsubishi alliance – the D27 Navara (its expected model code) will almost certainly share its ladder-frame chassis, core body structure, suspension layout, and even its powertrains with the latest Triton.

Likely to also share its production plant with the Triton (at Laem Chabang in Thailand), the D27 Navara is expected to forgo the Renault-designed twin-turbo 140kW/450Nm 2.3-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine of the current model for Mitsubishi’s latest twin-turbo 150kW/470Nm 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder.

Ditto the transmissions – the Navara’s existing seven-speed torque-converter automatic transmission is expected to be replaced by Mitsubishi’s six-speed auto, in addition to an available six-speed manual ’box.

Chasing Cars understands an eight-speed automatic is being developed for Mitsubishi’s forthcoming Pajero/Montero/Shogun large SUV/4WD (due late 2026), which means it’s a potential starter for Navara/Triton as well.

Given the long global tradition of ute model-sharing (such as the Isuzu D-Max/Mazda BT-50 and Ford Ranger/Volkswagen Amarok twins, plus the new MG U9/LDV Terron 9 dual-cabs and previous Ford/Mazda, GM/Isuzu, and Chrysler/Mitsubishi tie-ups), the D27 Navara appears to be mainly a visual makeover of the Triton, based on Nissan’s teaser video released last week [HERE] and our exclusive renders.

That will involve a fresh front end with unique headlights and grille, topped by subtly angled LED DRLs as displayed in Nissan’s teaser footage, as well as new rear tail-lights.

In order to differentiate the two utes as much as possible, the new Navara will also feature its own wheel designs and will retain its flagship PRO-4X trim level, as well as Premcar-engineered Warrior off-road-biased versions.

Speaking to Chasing Cars at the recent Nissan Ariya launch, Nissan Oceania managing director Andrew Humberstone confirmed that Premcar in Melbourne will be responsible for developing a new-gen Navara Warrior, though he left things open when asked to comment on whether Premcar would be providing suspension-tuning expertise for the regular D27 Navara.

“We have a great relationship with them [Premcar]. That’s a long-term partnership. We hope to continue that into the future. We’re doing a lot of work with them. We’re engaged with them very actively. But it’s a bit of a wait and see [as to whether Premcar will have any input on the suspension tuning of the regular D27 Navara variants].

“At the moment, [there’s] lots of discussions going on, but it’s a very solid partnership,” he said.

Given the new-gen Triton’s lacklustre handling and ride, and its insufficient load-carrying performance unless optioned with heavy-duty suspension, Nissan Australia has plenty of work on its hands if it wants to improve on the donor vehicle – as well as to improve on the existing Navara’s dynamic capabilities. 

However, Nissan Australia has an exclusive ace up its sleeve … and it’s another ute – the Frontier Pro, a large 5.5m-long plug-in hybrid dual-cab developed in partnership with Dongfeng in China.

It features a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, an eight-speed automatic transmission and two battery sizes (17kWh and 32.9kWh).

“Available for export” from China at present (and currently only sold in five global markets, following production kick-off in January), the Frontier Pro is yet to be confirmed for Australia but provides Nissan with a unique opportunity – to offer both the regular Navara, the off-road-enhanced Navara Warrior, and the more lifestyle focused Frontier Pro PHEV in a ute market which is fracturing, but remains highly lucrative. 

“I think [the Frontier Pro is] a great product,” said Andrew Humberstone. “The way I would frame that is I recognise a split in that ute segment.

“You’ve got the hardcore ute driver, which wants the traditional, dare I say, off-road-capable vehicle, with the Warrior, the PRO-4X – ‘I want to be able to tow my boat or my caravan or whatever, and I want to go camping,’ etcetera. And you’ve got the other, which is the driver that may be wanting to take their dogs to the beach – less utilitarian – and they have a different requirement.

“Therefore, I see a split potentially in that. So are we able to cater for both? I think there’s an opportunity,” said Andrew Humberstone.

“I want to optimise on the [dual-cab ute] segment and deliver a product that I know that my customers in the [Nissan] dealer network want, so I’m fighting to meet those expectations.

“We’re looking at [the Frontier Pro PHEV] very carefully. We’ve made our position very clear, and we’ll see what comes back, and we’ll share a lot with you soon.”

That moment will likely be the global reveal of the new-generation D27 Navara in South Australia on November 19, where Chasing Cars expects Andrew Humberstone and Nissan Australia to reveal more about its multi-level ute strategy for 2026 and beyond.