Shock and Torque: Nissan’s All-New Frontier Pro PHEV Revealed
Alright, petrolheads and pickup fans! Get your eyes on this – Nissan just dropped a bombshell in Shanghai, and it’s packing some serious electric punch. We’re talking about the all-new Frontier Pro, Nissan’s first-ever electrified pickup truck, and boy, does it look the business.
Freshly unveiled at Auto Shanghai 2025, this isn’t your grandad’s workhorse (unless your grandad is seriously into cutting-edge tech). The Frontier Pro marks Nissan’s entry into the electrified pickup arena, blending their long-standing pickup truck heritage with the latest powertrain smarts from China, a world leader in New Energy Vehicles (NEVs). In fact, this beast is the second of nine NEVs Nissan plans to unleash in China by summer 2027, showing they’re serious about electrifying their lineup.
Under the bonnet – or should we say, cleverly integrated within the chassis – lies a potent plug-in hybrid powertrain. This setup combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with a transmission-mounted, high-output electric motor. The result? A hefty over 300kW of power and a stonking up to 800 newton meters of torque. That’s enough grunt to pull your caravan, your boat, and probably your neighbour’s house if you really wanted to. For those shorter hops around town, Nissan is targeting an EV-only range of up to 135km for the China domestic market.
The design of the Frontier Pro screams modern muscle, built around the concept of “Rugged Tech”. The front end proudly displays a Nissan logo that lights up in vibrant white, signalling its electrified credentials. Above that, five spaced-apart LED light elements accentuate the truck’s width, with the three central lights giving a subtle nod to the iconic three-slot hood of the 1980s Nissan D21 hardbody pickup – a cool retro touch reimagined for the electric age by the design team in Nissan’s Shanghai studio. All models roll on standard 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 265/65R18 tyres.
But this isn’t just about looking good and going fast. The Frontier Pro is designed as a five-seat, dual-purpose pickup that’s equally at home tackling the urban jungle during the week and venturing off the beaten path on weekend adventures. To that end, it features Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, automatically shuffling torque where it’s needed, and a sophisticated 5-link rear suspension for a comfortable ride. For proper off-road antics, an electromechanical rear differential lock is also available, along with four distinct drive modes: ‘Hybrid, Pure electric, Performance and Snow’.
Step inside, and you’re greeted by a spacious and well-appointed cabin. A standard panoramic roof floods the interior with light, while a 10-inch LCD instrument panel and a sizeable 14.6-inch infotainment screen keep you informed and entertained. Creature comforts haven’t been overlooked either, with available front seat heating, ventilation, and even seat-back massage. For the adventurous types, roof rails and an electronic retractable cover for the cargo area come standard. And for those who need to power their gadgets on the go, a handy Vehicle-to-load (V2L) port can supply up to 6kW of power from the plug-in hybrid battery.
Developed in collaboration with Zhengzhou Nissan (ZNA), the all-new Frontier Pro plug-in hybrid will hit the Chinese market before the year is out, and excitingly, Nissan has confirmed that it will also be exported outside of China, though the lucky recipient markets are yet to be announced. Keep your ears peeled for future updates on that front!
