November 6, 2026 is shaping up to be a big day for Nissan Philippines. The company is bringing not one but two electrified models to local dealerships on the same day — the Primera EV sedan and, more interestingly for those of us who need a workhorse, the Navara Pro PHEV. That’s right: Nissan’s first electrified pickup is officially confirmed for the Philippines.
The Navara Pro PHEV isn’t just a nameplate refresh. It’s an entirely new truck built on the Dongfeng Z9 architecture, designed and manufactured by Zhengzhou Nissan — Nissan’s joint venture in China. This makes it the first Nissan model developed and produced in China for global export, built to Nissan’s quality standards. The Philippines was selected as the lead ASEAN destination, which tells you how seriously the company views our market.
What’s Under the Hood
The Navara Pro PHEV pairs a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four petrol engine with an electric motor integrated directly into a four-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT). Total system output reaches 408 horsepower and 800 Newton-meters of torque, sent through a mechanical four-wheel-drive system equipped with an electromechanical rear differential lock. For a midsize pickup, those are serious numbers.
The energy comes from a 32.85 kWh lithium-based battery pack, which delivers up to 135 kilometers of pure electric driving range under standard testing conditions. That’s enough for a full day of city errands or a construction site run without burning a drop of fuel. When you need to go further, the petrol engine takes over without interruption — no range anxiety, no charging infrastructure dependency.
Like any modern PHEV, it supports vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, meaning you can power external equipment from the battery. For job sites, camping trips, or emergency situations, that’s genuinely useful.
Specs at a Glance
| Powertrain | 1.5L turbo I4 + electric motor, 4-speed DHT |
| Total Output | 408 hp / 800 Nm |
| Drivetrain | 4WD, electromechanical rear diff lock |
| Battery | 32.85 kWh lithium-based |
| EV Range | Up to 135 km (standard testing) |
| Chassis | Body-on-frame ladder chassis |
| Length | ~5,260 mm |
| Width | ~1,960 mm |
| Wheelbase | ~3,300 mm |
| V2L | Yes |
Pricing and Availability
Nissan Philippines has not yet announced the official SRP for the Navara Pro PHEV. The company says full specifications will be revealed closer to the November 6 launch. For context, the current Navara lineup ranges from P1,240,000 for the base 2.5 EL 4×2 MT to P2,220,000 for the 2.5 PRO-4X 4×4 AT. A PHEV variant typically commands a P300,000 to P500,000 premium over its ICE equivalent, which would place the Navara Pro PHEV in the P2.5 to P2.8 million range.
| Variant | PHP (est.) | USD (est.) | INR (est.) |
| Navara Pro PHEV | P2,500,000 – P2,800,000 | $40,300 – $45,200 | Rs 38.4 – Rs 43.1 lakh |
Exchange rate reference: ~62.0 PHP/USD, ~95.0 INR/USD (October 2026 estimates). Final pricing will be announced at launch.
How It Drives in the Philippines
City Driving
At 5,260 mm long with a 3,300 mm wheelbase, the Navara Pro PHEV is not a small truck. It approaches full-size proportions, which means tight parking in Makati or BGC will require patience. But the 135 km EV range means most Metro Manila commutes can be done on electric power alone — silent, torque-rich, and free of fuel costs. The instant torque from the electric motor makes merging onto EDSA or climbing flyovers surprisingly effortless.
Long-Distance Travel
This is where the PHEV powertrain truly shines. A Manila-to-Baguio run (roughly 250 km) is easily within the combined range. You’ll start on electric power in the city, then the petrol engine kicks in for the highway climb. No charging stops needed, no range anxiety. For provincial trips where charging infrastructure is still sparse, the Navara Pro PHEV eliminates the biggest barrier to EV adoption.
Flooded Situations
The Navara Pro PHEV sits on a body-on-frame chassis with generous ground clearance — a genuine advantage in flooded streets. The battery pack is sealed and mounted under the body, and unlike a combustion engine, an electric motor doesn’t hydrolock if it wades through water. That said, the exact wading depth hasn’t been published, so exercise caution during heavy rains. The electromechanical rear diff lock helps maintain traction on slippery, flooded roads.
High Temperature
The 32.85 kWh battery is liquid-cooled, which is essential for Philippine heat. In 36-38°C weather, the thermal management system keeps the battery at optimal temperature, preventing degradation and maintaining charging efficiency. The petrol engine provides backup cooling capacity, and the cabin’s climate control can run on electric power even when stationary — a real comfort during summer traffic.
Competitive Context
The Navara Pro PHEV enters a market where the BYD Shark 6 DMO (P2,388,000 to P2,618,000) and the BYD Mako PHEV are currently the only electrified midsize pickups available. The Nissan undercuts the BYD on price while offering a more traditional body-on-frame construction that many Filipino buyers still prefer for heavy-duty work. The Chery Stockman offers a diesel PHEV alternative, and the Jetour F700 PHEV brings extreme off-road chops. The Toyota Hilux BEV has been DOE-recognized but hasn’t launched yet, so the Navara Pro PHEV has a first-mover advantage in the electric pickup space.
The China Question
Let’s address the elephant in the room: this is a Chinese-built Nissan. The Navara Pro PHEV is manufactured by Zhengzhou Nissan in China, not in Nissan’s traditional Thai or Japanese plants. For some buyers, that’s a dealbreaker. But Nissan is quick to point out that the truck is built to Nissan’s global quality standards, and the Philippines was chosen as the lead ASEAN market — a vote of confidence. The Primera EV launching the same day is also China-sourced (Dongfeng Nissan N7 platform), so Nissan is clearly betting on its China JV as the future of its electrified lineup in Southeast Asia.
As I covered in my Nissan Primera EV analysis, this “From China” export strategy is a first for any Japanese brand in the Philippines. Whether it works depends on pricing, after-sales support, and how Filipino buyers perceive the badge versus the build origin.
Should You Wait for It?
If you’re in the market for a midsize pickup and have been holding out for an electrified option, the Navara Pro PHEV is worth waiting for. The November 6 launch is just three weeks away, and the combination of 408 hp, 135 km EV range, 4WD, and V2L makes it the most versatile electrified pickup on paper. The lack of official pricing is the big unknown — if Nissan prices it aggressively (say, under P2.5 million), it could undercut the BYD Shark 6 while offering a more traditional truck package.
For those who need a truck now, the current Navara PRO-4X at P2,220,000 remains a solid choice. But if you can wait three weeks, the PHEV version could be the smarter long-term buy — especially if you do a lot of city driving where the 135 km EV range will save you thousands in fuel costs every month.
This isn’t the only electrified model hitting showrooms soon — the GAC E8 HEV launched this morning as a seven-seat hybrid MPV. Keep an eye on Nissan Philippines’ social media channels for the official pricing reveal. I’ll update this article once the numbers are out.