Nissan Frontier, Next GT-R to Get Hybrid Powertrain, Reports Say
Nissan will soon address the lack of hybrid models in its North American lineup with the addition of the Rogue PHEV, but this will only be the beginning, as we've previously reported.
The Frontier will get the hybrid treatment, too. At least that’s what Nissan’s chief product planner for the Americas, Ponz Pandikuthira, told Motor Trend in a recent interview.
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The executive reckons that electrification is vital to ensure the long-term success of Nissan's midsize pickup. A plug-in hybrid system would be the most logical way to maximize its potential, he suggested. If this is indeed the case, however, the Frontier will require a more appropriate and especially more powerful solution than the aforementioned Rogue PHEV’s system, which will be derived from the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (248 hp, 332 lb-ft).
Other than the Toyota Tacoma Hybrid, there are currently no hybrid midsize pickups in North America. Ford sells a PHEV variant of the new Ranger overseas. GM will launch plug-in hybrids from 2027, but it remains to be seen whether the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon will follow suit.
Back to the gas-electric Frontier: Pandikuthira said it's more likely to show up in 2028, possibly merging with the Navara sold in other parts of the world to offer a truly global product built on a new platform.
That’s not the only juicy nugget the Nissan official revealed in the past few days. While at the 2025 New York Auto Show, he confirmed that the next generation of the GT-R sports coupe will be hybrid instead of fully electric as previously believed.
The Drive reports that Nissan has not yet determined whether to use a conventional hybrid or plug-in hybrid system. Pandikuthira acknowledged the first option makes more sense given the GT-R's track requirements, then added the car will "absolutely" be turbocharged. The twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 in the completely redesigned 2025 Armada would be a no-brainer.
Again, don’t hold your breath: a new GT-R isn’t slated to launch before three to five years.