Nissan Navara Revealed, Hints at 2021 Frontier Redesign
Nissan unveiled a substantially updated version of the Navara pickup truck sold overseas on Thursday, foreshadowing what we might be seeing with the next incarnation of the mid-sized Frontier.
The model shares DNA with many vehicles around the world, including the Renault Alaskan, Dongfeng Ruiqi 6, and the failed X-Class from Mercedes-Benz. While they all have unique touches to distinguish themselves from each other, the platform is fairly consistent and should offer us a glimpse into the future of our Nissan Frontier. But that won’t be because it’s using the same platform as the new Navara.
As far as we know (the planned Frontier’s debut was scuttled this year thanks to the pandemic) the pickup will be using an updated version of the older architecture its been dependent upon for over a decade. That technically keeps the truck in the Navara-family but makes it the weird cousin. But it should be picking up some of the Navara’s visual cues and remain a little larger in just about every dimension to better cater to the North American market.
Nissan’s event actually showed early renderings of the Frontier during a short video tease r, suggesting it will be different than the version sold in South America and Mexico. Though it will probably look quite a bit like the Navara shown here in the Pro-4X trim. Meanwhile, spy shots have indicated that the base 2021 Frontier probably won’t come with roof racks, running boards, or those aggressively flared fenders.
It also won’t use the standard-issue Navara powertrain, which would have been considered anemic for the typical U.S. customer. The Frontier will instead keep the 3.8-liter V6 sending 310 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque through its new nine-speed automatic transmission that was issued in 2020. Rear-wheel drive is standard but a 4×4 version is a given, as are numerous cab options for customers needing extra seats for the family.
We also know that it’s getting a four-spoke steering wheel, modern touchscreen interface, push-button starter, and will probably adopt some of the Navara’s updated technologies (e.g. forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, Apple CarPlay, LED illumination, etc). Nissan has also indicated that it wanted to outfit all new products with upgraded interior materials. That could push the Frontier’s starting MSRP beyond $27,000 but the factory isn’t going to let pricing run away with itself with the competition so fierce.
[Images: Nissan]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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The 1/4 and profile views reveal very odd proportions to me. Maybe it will look better in Frontier trim.
Function now follows form. This thing is unnecessarily ugly... but so are many other new vehicles.