A new Nissan Frontier Pro pickup has been unveiled with new great looks, a plug-in hybrid powertrain and it is probably not coming to the U.S. just yet.
What is the Nissan Frontier Pro?
Revealed at the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show in China, according to CarBuzz, the new Frontier Pro is a big departure from the U.S. version of the Nissan Frontier.
First, the exterior and interior styling give it a more futuristic look with the exterior light bar resembling electric vehicles. It gives off some Rivian R1T vibes.
On the inside, it is tech focused with a large 14.6″ infotainment screen, a 10″ digital display and a much more simplistic interior design. Straight lines abound with a flat-bottom steering wheel more often found in performance vehicles.
The seats are heated, ventilated and offer massage functionality.
On the bed, Nissan is offering a power retractable tonneau cover and there are roof rails installed on the top of the cabin for more luggage-carrying capacity. It also appears there are additional power plugs in the bed.
The big wow is what is under the hood.
Plug-in hybrid Frontier?
Powering the Frontier Pro will be a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine mated to a high-output electric motor mounted to a yet to be announced transmission.
This combination allows it to produce 402 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. You read that right. FIVE HUNDRED AND NINETY POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.
For comparison, that’s more than in our long-term test model full-size 2025 Ram 1500 RHO with the high-output Hurricane engine.
On a full charge, Nissan says it should return 84 miles of electric only range. That’s less than the 145 miles from the extended-range electric vehicle Ramcharger, however, it is more than most PHEV SUVs offered in the U.S.
The powertrain sits on a ladder frame and while they didn’t disclose the platform, it is likely based on the Nissan Navarra (the overseas cousin to the Nissan Frontier.)
It uses an all-wheel drive system with a mechanical differential lock as well as drive modes like a dedicated snow mode.
The prototype rides on 18-inch wheels and the frame diagrams reveal a five-link rear suspension setup.
Nissan says it will be built in China and export to global markets. They haven’t confirmed where it will be exported to, however, with the Chicken Tax tariff on foreign-built pickup trucks as well as the current global trade war it is very unlikely it will be offered here unless it completely replaces the current Frontier.
Our take
Holy cow Nissan. Welcome back to the party.
Editor’s note: All photos on this page courtesy of Nissan.
