2026 Nissan Navara revealed in full

Aus-centric global debut for Nissan’s new ‘D27’ Mitsubishi Triton clone

The News

The fifth-generation D27 Nissan Navara ute has made its global debut in Adelaide ahead of its Australian release late in the first quarter of 2026.

The Key Details

• 2026 Nissan Navara shares Mitsubishi Triton sheetmetal and powertrains

• Grille, lights and wheels are changed, interior’s basically identical

• Bespoke suspension tune by Premcar

• Australia and NZ are the only confirmed markets

• Range pared back to 4×4 pick-up only

Nissan Navara PRO-4XNissan Navara ST-XNissan Navara ST-X

The Finer Details

No longer a stand-alone vehicle, the Navara now shares its ‘Alliance’ ladder frame platform, mechanicals and sheetmetal with the latest Mitsubishi Triton which launched in Australia in early 2024.

Part of a four-ute Nissan global strategy, the D27 Navara will only be sold in the Oceania region for now – meaning Australia and New Zealand – and exclusively as a double cab 4×4, meaning the previous six-speed manual transmission, cab chassis and 4×2 configurations have all been dropped from the range.

Nissan said this rationalising reflects the preferences of more than 90 per cent of Navara buyers.

Multiple grades will be offered, although so far only ST-X and fruitier Pro-4X have been confirmed alongside the flagship Pro-4X Warrior – which was previewed by a concept at today’s unveiling.

The D27 Navara is powered by the same Mitsubishi 150kW/470Nm 2.4-litre turbo-diesel engine as the Triton and employs the same six-speed automatic transmission, resulting in an identical 7.7L/100km ADR combined fuel consumption claim.

As per Triton, there are now two 4×4 systems on offer: lower, yet to debut, grades will get a part-time 4×4 system equivalent to the outbound D23 Navara (2H, 4H, 4L) while the ST-X and Pro-4X upgrade to a permanent system (2H, 4H, 4HLc, 4LLc) with an open centre diff to allow all-wheel drive running on bitumen.

An electronic rear differential lock is standard with both systems, however the latter gets seven drive modes: normal, eco, gravel, mud, snow, sand and rock.

The Navara’s move to Mitsubishi bones means it swaps from hydraulic to electric-assist power steering, but it retains drum brakes at the rear.

Unsurprisingly, the D27 measures up identically to the dual-cab Triton in wheelbase (3150mm) and overall length (5230mm) but is a fraction wider and lower – though it still has slightly better ground clearance (228m) than the D23.

As previously reported, the new Navara’s suspension has specifically been tuned for local conditions by long-term Nissan engineering partner Premcar.

Over the course of 12 months and 18,500km of testing, three tunes have been developed to suit different applications; the D23 went through a series of updates because its coil spring multi-link rear suspension was found to be a weakness under load and when towing.

Crucially, the new Navara moves to the Triton’s leaf spring set-up.

“The local suspension development program represents one of the most comprehensive engineering projects undertaken by Nissan here in Australia,” Nissan Oceania MD Andrew Humberstone said.

Unique Navara design features include the bull bar-inspired, slightly tapering V-strut grille surround and grille mesh made up of smaller V-strut motifs. There are also three slots atop the grille harking back to the third-generation D21 Navara.

The Pro-4X flagship includes a black exterior design elements and ‘Lava Red’ appointments both outside and within the cabin. A black sports bar, black 17-inch wheels, 265/65R17 all-terrain tyres and a towbar are all standard.

The ST-X meantime has more traditional silver adornments, including its sports bar and the grille-slot surrounds.

All D27s come with a 3500kg braked towing capacity and payload varying from a minimum 950kg (to ensure sub one-tonne fringe benefits tax eligibility for novated leases) to 1047kg .

Bed length is longer than D23, but still not wide enough to fit an Aussie pallet between the wheel arches.

The interior’s connection to the Triton is obvious in that the dashboard, seats and appointments are almost identical, save for the trims and badging.

Interior space is improved compared to D23, with Nissan claiming 29mm more front shoulder room, 42mm more rear legroom and 4mm more rear shoulder room.

Interior features across the board include a 9.0-inch infotainment display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a 7.0-inch TFT digital display between analogue dials for the driver. The myNissan connected car service with smartphone app is new.

The ST-X and Pro-4X add wireless smartphone charging, among other things.

Safety systems are bumped up significantly from the D23 and include automated braking and lane keeping, blind spot warning, front and rear cross traffic alerts, traffic sign and driver monitoring and adaptive cruise control.

An around view monitor will be standard across the range.

The D27 Navara will also come with eight airbags and will be tested to tougher new 2026 ANCAP protocols in search of the all-important five-star rating.

While pricing and detailed specifications won’t be announced until next year, Nissan has confirmed the new Navara is covered by the ‘MORE’ ownership program that includes up to 10-year/300,000km of warranty coverage when servicing with Nissan, up to five years ‘flat’ price servicing, up to 10-Year/300,000km of roadside assistance and a comprehensive range of genuine accessories.

The Road Ahead

In 2026 the Navara will celebrate 40 years since its 1986 launch in Australia. More than 430,000 examples have been sold here in that time.

Nissan will be looking to the new Navara to reboot sales which have fallen progressively as the D23 has aged, effectively dragging the whole brand down with it.

Not since the V6-powered D40 has Nissan managed to sell more than 20,000 Navaras in a calendar year – it struggled to sell 10,000 in 2024.

Despite the slowdown, the Navara is only outsold by the X-TRAIL medium SUV in the local Nissan line-up.

“The new Navara represents what Australian drivers need from their pick-up truck in this region,” Humberstone said.

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