All-new Nissan Navara teased, with Mitsubishi genes! But will it come to South Africa?

The Nissan Navara is about to undergo its most radical transformation ever, and for the first time, it will share its DNA with a top rival from Japan.

Nissan has confirmed that the fourth-generation Navara will make its global debut on November 19.

As part of the brand’s transformation plan, which will see it forge closer technical ties within the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance in order to cut costs, the new Navara will share its platform with the current Mitsubishi Triton, which was launched in 2023.

Set to be built alongside its new sibling in Thailand, it remains to be seen how unique the Nissan version will be in design terms.

Technical details also remain under wraps, although it is widely reported that the Navara will be powered by Mitsubishi’s latest 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine, which produces up to 150kW. Some markets will also receive a plug-in hybrid version, using Mitsubishi’s technology, CarExpert reports.

Yet it remains to be seen when, or whether, the new Navara will reach the South African market.

The current, third-generation (D23) Navara is produced at Nissan’s Rosslyn plant outside Pretoria.

As IOL reported in May, reports from Japan indicate that Nissan is considering closing the Gauteng plant as part of its broader restructuring that will see it shut seven of its 17 international factories by 2027. Although apparently based on inside information, the report remains speculative, however, and Nissan states that no final decisions have been made regarding the plant’s operations.

Nissan SA’s managing director, Maciej Klenkiewicz, confirmed to local media last month that although there was no news on the plant’s long-term future, Nissan was committed to staying in South Africa and that it was still producing and “investing in” the current Navara, Moneyweb reported.

Although the plant has increased its production this year to cater for a growing number of African export models, it remains underutilised, with around 1,000 units produced per month, versus over 6,000 for the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux.

If the plant receives a stay of execution, could the local division invest in a heavily revised version of the current Navara?

Nissan has confirmed that it will launch an extensively updated version of the current D23 Navara in Latin American markets during 2026. Previewed in the teaser image you see above, the updated model features new Tri-LED headlights, a more modern grille and flared fenders. It is likely that Nissan will also update the cabin, which is looking dated given that the current generation dates back to 2015.

This updated model could certainly make sense for the South African market as it would not require as big an investment as the Mitsubishi-based model from Thailand.

However, once the new models come on stream, Nissan will have four different bakkies for world markets. Besides the Triton-based Thai model and South America’s upgraded D23, the US also has its own ‘Frontier’, which is a heavily updated version of the previous-gen Navara from the early 2000s, and China’s Dongfeng-based Z9, which is also offered as a PHEV.

Two potential scenarios currently exist for South Africa. Either the local plant will continue to invest in the current Navara. Or, if tragically forced to close, we may see the Mitsubishi-based model as an imported replacement.

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