The Nissan Frontier, the last straightforward truck in America, is set to become a hybrid.

      Nico DeMattia

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      In a time when even the Toyota Tacoma has adopted modern features, Nissan's Frontier pickup stands out for its straightforwardness. Some people still appreciate this simplicity, including us at The Drive; we reviewed the truck last month, stating “it’s better because it’s worse.” It lacks the extensive tech and specifications of its competitors, which arguably adds to its appeal. However, a report from MotorTrend raises concerns that this may change soon, as a Nissan executive indicated that the Frontier will transition to a hybrid model by 2028.

      During an interview with MotorTrend, Nissan Americas Chief Planning Officer Ponz Pandikuthira mentioned that the Frontier cannot remain gas-only indefinitely. “For its lifecycle to be viable and compliant, it will have to be electrified,” he stated.

      Currently, Nissan's midsize truck features a 3.8-liter V6 engine that produces 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque as its sole powertrain option. While it is possible for the automaker to integrate that engine with an electric motor, I suspect that it won't happen. Instead, it appears more probable that Nissan will introduce one of its smaller turbocharged engines, which the Frontier could potentially share with another model.

      It's worth noting that Nissan currently does not offer any hybrids in the United States. However, a plug-in hybrid Rogue crossover is set to arrive in 2026, making Pandikuthira's comment even more intriguing: “To maintain that full spectrum of use, I think a plug-in hybrid would be the ultimate solution. We’re still working on it.”

      Nico DeMattia

      I believe it’s premature to conclude from that statement alone that the Frontier will feature a plug-in hybrid option. While it could represent the "ultimate solution," that doesn't necessarily imply it’s practical. Pandikuthira elaborated that ideally, Nissan could discover “a global convergence solution” so that the Frontier could share more components with the brand’s midsize Navarra pickup, which is sold worldwide but not in the U.S.

      In closing, it's important to note that electrification itself shouldn't raise immediate alarm. Major automakers have been producing reliable hybrids for years. However, the Frontier is the last straightforward truck in the U.S. that doesn't even feature a turbocharger to complicate matters, and transitioning to hybrid could signify a significant transformation for the pickup.

      One can only hope that its back-to-basics reputation remains intact through the transition.

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