Nissan Frontier to Get Plug-In Hybrid Powertrain
Nissan is planning to give its Frontier pickup truck a significant powertrain upgrade in the coming years. According to Ponz Pandikuthira, Nissan’s chief planning officer for the Americas, the midsize pickup truck will be offered as a hybrid in the future. This move is aimed at making the Frontier more competitive in its segment, which includes rivals like the Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma, and Chevrolet Colorado.
The current Frontier, which was refreshed in 2025 with updates including a new exterior design, increased towing capacity, and a reworked interior with a larger touchscreen, is powered by a 3.8-liter V-6 engine. However, this engine’s fuel efficiency is not particularly noteworthy, with ratings ranging from 16-19 mpg in city driving and 20-24 mpg on the highway.
A plug-in hybrid powertrain is seen as the ideal solution to maintain the truck’s capabilities while improving its emissions and fuel efficiency. “For its lifecycle to make sense and be compliant, it will have to be electrified,” Pandikuthira told MotorTrend. “To keep that full spectrum of use, I think a plug-in hybrid would be the ultimate solution. We’re still working on it.”
The introduction of this new powertrain is expected around 2028. “We need to have a solution by then. Three years from now,” Pandikuthira said.
This development is part of Nissan’s broader strategy to converge its global pickup truck offerings onto a single, all-new platform. Currently, Nissan sells two separate midsize pickup trucks: the Frontier, built in Canton, Mississippi, and the Navara, assembled in Mexico for Latin America and other markets. A global convergence solution would allow the company to accommodate different powertrains, including internal combustion engines and plug-in hybrids, on a single platform.
The decision to electrify the Frontier comes as the Nissan Titan full-size pickup truck was discontinued after the 2024 model year. With the Frontier being a key model for Nissan in the pickup truck segment, the addition of a plug-in hybrid powertrain is expected to enhance its appeal and competitiveness in the market.
