Nissan Navara Pickup-Based SUV Spied For The First Time

The Navara will compete with other pickup-derived SUVs such as the Ford Endeavour, the Toyota Fortuner, and the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 

So the rumours have come true -- Nissan is developing a new body-on-frame SUV using its latest Navara pickup’s platform. The Japanese automaker revealed the Navara pickup in June 2014 in Thailand and it went on sale later that year with subsequent sales in the European market in 2015. At that time, there were reports indicating that Nissan might develop an SUV based on the Navara’s new platform. And here we are; the SUV has been spied for the first time. It is expected to make its debut later this year with a global launch in 2017.  

Speaking of the test mule, it appears that the SUV will share its face with the Navara pickup, while the rear of the camouflaged vehicle was rather misleading as it has the rear profile of the previous generation Pathfinder. This indicates that the vehicle is in a nascent stage of development and will have a different rear end at the time of the official reveal. Expect the interiors to be similar to that of the Navara pickup. Moreover, it will also share its powertrain with the pickup – a 2.3-litre dCi diesel available in two states of tune – 160 PS, 403 Nm and 190 PS, 450 Nm, mated to either a 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic.   

Speaking of India, the chances of Nissan launching it in the country in the near future are slim since the manufacturer will also launch the X-Trail in the country this year. The X-Trail will fall in the price bracket of the new SUV’s competitors such as the 2016 Ford Endeavour (currently the segment’s bestseller), the Chevrolet Trailblazer, the Toyota Fortuner (new model expected soon), and the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. The Nissan Patrol’s launch is also due in the country and, once launched, it will be the flagship SUV in Nissan’s portfolio. Moreover, the Nissan Terrano is also long due for an update. Factoring all these, there is little possibility for this Navara-based body-on-frame SUV making its way to India in the next few years. 

Image Source: Motor1