Price wars: Is the Nissan Navara cheaper than its Mitsubishi Triton cousin?

Earlier this week, Nissan finally rolled out pricing for its all-new Navara pick-up, subsequently also confirming the make-up of the nameplate’s line-up.

The news was important for a few reasons. The Navara, even in the final months of the outgoing generation, remains Nissan’s most popular model in the region. The release of pricing also clarifies the Navara’s positioning relative to its paternal cousin, the Mitsubishi Triton. 

The next-gen Navara’s most discussed element is the amount of hardware it shares with the closest rival on the sales totem, the Mitsubishi Triton. The pairing share the same ladder chassis platform and the same 2.4-litre bi-turbo diesel engine. 

Mechanical differences between the pair are largely limited to their suspension tune, with the Navara receiving specific tuning from Australian firm Premcar.

This marks a considerable change for the Navara in particular, which up until this point has been a wholly Nissan-developed product. Nissan and Mitsubishi are part of a three-way industry alliance with French carmaker Renault.

Nissan Navara MY2026 range and pricing

Mitsubishi Triton MY2026 range and pricing

Comparing the line-up and pricing of the Navara to its DNA-sharing Triton cousin, there are several key differences between the two models.

The Triton is offered in both two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive, meaning a considerably cheaper entry-level price of $43,990. It has three trims, each available in either 2WD or 4WD.

The Navara on the other hand is offered in four grades, with the flagship PRO-4X variant scratching a more adventurous itch thanks to its racier packaging and other added features.

Moving the PRO-4X to the side and comparing the three models from each nameplate in 4WD trim, it's the three Tritons that are each cheaper than their equivalent Navara counterpart. The Triton GLX 4WD is priced from $50,740 plus on-road costs, whilst the Navara SL 4WD is priced from $54,690.

The price gap tightens slightly towards the top of the range, with the Triton VRX 4WD priced at $59,990 and the Navara ST-X priced at $62,690.

The obvious follow-up question to ask is how each of the three variants match up for specs. When comparing Triton GLX and Navara SL, the Nissan has a few spec advantages. It comes with LED headlights whilst the Triton makes do with halogens. The SL also gets all-terrain rubber, where the Triton gets standard rubber.

But the two trims have more in common that not. As each shares a near identical interior, they get much of the same tech. This includes a 9.0-inch touchscreen and 7.0-inch digital cluster, plus wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, single-zone climate control and more.

Comparing the Triton VRX and Navara ST-X shows a similar picture. Both add features like heated front seats and leather upholstery. If anything, the Triton edges the Navara for spec value as numerous features only available in the Navara ST-X (including dual-zone climate control, 18-inch wheels and push-button start) come standard in the mid-spec Triton GLX-R.