Next-generation Nissan Navara Warrior and Patrol Warrior confirmed

02/20/2025 03:00 PM

Warrior off-road versions of the next-generation Nissan Navara ute and Patrol 4WD are in the works – still engineered in Australia – following the success of the current iterations.

Sales of Warrior-branded vehicles grew by 60.6 per cent last year – though Nissan Australia declined to provide precise numbers – engineered and completed by the Melbourne-based firm behind the former Ford Performance Vehicles operation.

More than 10,000 Warrior vehicles have been delivered since the first emerged from Premcar’s facilities in late 2019.

The boss of Nissan in Australia has indicated new generations – based on next year’s Y63 Patrol and this year’s Mitsubishi Triton-based Navara – are on the way.

MORE: New Nissan Navara due in Australia this year – exclusive

“Yeah, 100 per cent,” Nissan Oceania managing director Andrew Humberstone told Drive when asked if the brand plans to continue the Warrior name into next-generation models.

“[We are] very passionate about it. We have a great partnership with Premcar, [they are] great people and our customers love it.

“We look at the data and we look at the modifications customers make on their cars by definition themselves, and we want to make sure they do that safely within the regulations. So what better way of doing that than partnering with Premcar?

“And this for me – I don’t mean it to be a cliche, but it’s something I’m quite passionate about – it’s for Australians by Australians in Australia, and I think we personalise the car that way and I think the Australian consumer appreciates it.”

MORE: Nissan's Warrior sub-brand sales to almost double in 2024

Asked to clarify is discussions are underway on new Navara and Patrol Warriors, he said: “Of course, we [look at] many different projects, of which some will come to fruition in some way.

“But we do business cases on many [models], by definition.”

Arrival timing is yet to be disclosed, but the new Patrol is not due in Australia until the end of 2026 – unless it can be brought forward – while the new Navara is expected next year.

Global Nissan executives at the reveal of the new Patrol last year told media including Drive they were impressed with what Premcar has done with the Warrior program.

MORE: Nissan Patrol Y63 release in Australia may be fast-tracked

They said there would be no resistance to the Warrior name returning for new outings, and that it would remain a region-specific model rather than going global.

Exactly what shape a new Navara or Patrol Warrior would take is unclear, but they are likely to follow in the tyre tracks of the current models.

It would mean new wheels with all-terrain tyres, lifted off-road suspension, revised styling, a red skid plate, additional underbody protection, wider tracks, and higher load ratings.

Nissan has shown a Pro-4X off-road version of the new Patrol in the US, with some changes – all-terrain tyres, a new front bumper and underbody protection – but not as significant as a Warrior, nor Australian-engineered.

MORE: 2025 Nissan Patrol Pro-4X off-road variant – LandCruiser 300 GR Sport rival revealed

It has also confirmed a new Patrol Nismo is on the way for overseas markets, which is set to focus on road-going performance – with a body kit and more power – rather than off-road ability.

Executives for the Japanese brand have expressed interest in a new Navara Nismo as a Ford Ranger Raptor competitor, but it is yet to be confirmed for showrooms.

It would be pitched as a ‘Baja-inspired’ model aimed at high-speed driving on sand and dirt, rather than a mix of lower-speed off-roading and general tarmac performance like a Warrior.

MORE: Nissan Navara Nismo on wish list as Ford Ranger Raptor rival

Last year Nissan Australia filed trademarks for Warrior versions of four other models – the Qashqai, X-Trail and Pathfinder car-derived SUVs, and the Z sports coupe.

Humberstone said the expansion of the Warrior brand has not been ruled out, but given its focus on off-road performance, it is set to remain with the Navara and Patrol for now.

“We’ve looked at a number of options,” the Nissan executive told Drive.

“I wouldn’t want to comment on outside of Australia because there are other things also going, but within Australia at the moment it’s very much Navara and Patrol.

MORE: Nissan Z Warrior trademarked alongside off-road Qashqai, X-Trail, Pathfinder

“It doesn’t mean we’re not looking at other options, but very early in the stage to comment.”

Humberstone acknowledged “[you] wouldn’t see for example a Warrior Juke for example, or a Qashqai” as the brand suits “a four-wheel-drive lifestyle.”

Nissan Australia general manager of corporate communications Emily Fadeyev added: “We are consumer driven. So when we look at Navara and Patrol, you said that there’s a lot of consumers who are already modifying those kind of vehicles.

MORE: Nissan X-Trail Warrior coming soon? Off-road-focused Rock Creek edition revealed for the US

When we look at other vehicles, does the business case make sense? Is the demand there from consumers for those modifications? Does it fall under the Warrior brand as well?

“Because we’ve developed that brand, it has a really strong credibility. What you can do with a Warrior is unbelievable … You have to look at, ‘well does it make sense in other products?'”

Nissan USA has explored off-road versions of the X-Trail and Pathfinder with new Rock Creek editions, adding unique styling, all-terrain tyres, revised suspension, and roof racks.

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