Nissan’s Electrified Frontier: A Game-Changer—Just Not for Everyone
By Team Dailyrevs April 24, 2025
It’s a Plug-In Beast: Over 400 horsepower and almost 600 lb-ft in a midsize pickup—more than enough to leave most gas trucks wondering what just happened.
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China-First Strategy: It’s not coming to the U.S. any time soon. Nissan’s playing the long game in China, and this truck is a statement.
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Form, Function, and Flair: With real off-road chops, clever utility features like V2L, and a design that blends nostalgia with now, it’s one of the most complete PHEVs we’ve seen—pickup or otherwise.
Nissan’s Frontier Pro Plug-In Hybrid: All Muscle, No Visa
At Auto Shanghai 2025, Nissan finally pulled the wraps off the Frontier Pro PHEV—a plug-in hybrid pickup that looks every bit the part of a modern workhorse but with just enough retro muscle to make you pause. It’s powerful, well-equipped, and deeply strategic. Just don’t expect to see one at your local dealership unless your zip code starts with “CN.”
This is more than a facelift or trim package. It’s Nissan’s first-ever plug-in hybrid pickup and arguably one of its most confident steps into the electrified truck game.
Quick Look: Key Specs That Matter
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Power Output | 402 hp / 590 lb-ft |
| Engine | 1.5L Turbocharged + EV motor |
| Electric Range (CLTC) | Up to 84 miles |
| Drive Modes | EV, Hybrid, Performance, Snow |
| Suspension | Five-link rear + Electromechanical diff lock |
| Battery | 30 kWh |
| Notable Tech | Vehicle-to-load (V2L), Panoramic screen, AWD |
Design: Retro Edge with Real Grit
There’s something quietly assertive about the new Frontier Pro. The full-width LED light bar, upright proportions, and squared-off body panels all nod to the D21 Hardbody, but nothing about it feels stuck in the past. Think of it as heritage without the cosplay.
It rides high on 18-inch wheels wrapped in 265/65 tires. The stance is wide, the presence is real. Inside, there’s a 14.6-inch touchscreen and a 10-inch digital instrument cluster—not to mention the very modern touch of ventilated, heated, and massaging seats.
The proportions split the difference between a traditional midsize and a borderline full-size pickup. It’s not a behemoth, but it’s not shy either.
Why It’s Launching in China (and Why That’s a Big Deal)
Built by Zhengzhou Nissan (through the Dongfeng JV), this truck is part of a broader electrification push in China. Nissan plans to launch 10 new energy vehicles in the market by 2027. And this truck? It’s the loudest of the bunch.
The move is strategic. China’s rapidly expanding EV infrastructure and consumer appetite make it the ideal sandbox for an electrified pickup—especially one that blends tech, utility, and a little bit of throwback attitude. That said, the U.S. isn’t getting it—tariffs and regulations are the usual suspects.
So, Why Should You Care If You Can't Buy It?
Because this is a sign of things to come. Nissan isn’t building this just for domestic flexing. As global tastes shift toward electrified performance and multifunction utility, the Frontier Pro shows exactly what the brand is capable of when it gets bold. If this is the new template, future Frontiers elsewhere might not look so... Frontier-y.
Click here for more detailed images of the 2026 Nissan Frontier Pro PHEV