2027 Toyota Hilux vs Nissan Navara Pro: Can the Newcomer Take on the UAE's Favourite Pickup?

Abu Dhabi: For years, the Toyota Hilux has been the pickup most UAE buyers think of first. Now Nissan is stepping up with the all-new 2027 Navara Pro, and its starting price, which we covered in our Navara Pro AED 99,900 entry report, is aimed squarely at the Hilux.

 If you are choosing your next pickup, here is how the two compare, in plain terms.

First Things First: Is the Navara Pro on Sale

Not yet. AWR Automotive, Nissan's dealer in Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates, showed the Navara Pro to the public at Dubai Fitness Challenge 2026 and said it will reach showrooms "in the coming weeks". The Hilux is already on sale. So please treat the Navara Pro details below as pre-showroom information.

Price: Where Each Pickup Starts

The Navara Pro comes in four grades for fleet and retail buyers, from AED 99,900 including VAT. The Hilux has six variants, all with VAT included.

Hilux Variant	Price (AED)
Single cab 2.7L manual	107,900
Double cab 2.7L GL automatic	120,900
Double cab 2.7L GLX manual	125,900
Double cab 2.8L diesel DLS	126,900
Double cab 2.7L GLX automatic	137,900
2.8L diesel Overland	164,900

Nissan has not announced prices for the Navara Pro's higher grades yet.

Engine and Performance: Petrol Punch or Diesel Pull

Nissan's press release mentions a 2.0L turbo petrol for the Navara Pro. The Hilux offers a 2.7L petrol (about 10 km/L) and a 2.8L diesel (13.9 km/L), according to Toyota's brochure. Our Hilux engines and prices guide goes deeper into the range.

Category	Hilux 2.7L	Hilux 2.8L Diesel	Navara Pro
Power	164 hp	201 hp	244 hp
Torque	245 Nm	500 Nm	400 Nm
Transmission	5MT / 6AT	6AT	8AT

Nissan also says the Navara Pro has completed 100,000 km of testing in the UAE and has more than 200 Middle East-specific updates, including battery cooling and air-conditioning measures for high temperatures.

Exterior: Tough Workhorse or Overland Adventurer

The Hilux measures 5,320 mm long, with 312 mm of ground clearance. Every variant gets LED headlamps, with 17-inch wheels (steel or alloy) and 18-inch black alloys on the Overland, which also adds wide black overfenders. Nissan calls the Navara Pro's double cab work-ready, with 17-inch wheels on fleet grades and 18-inch alloys on retail grades.

Category	Hilux	Navara Pro
Ground clearance	312 mm	240 mm
Wheels	17" or 18"	17" fleet, 18" retail
Load bed	1,555 x 1,575 mm deck (double cab)	Spray-on bedliner, tie-down hooks

Interior and Tech: Simple or Feature-Packed

Here the Navara Pro's retail grades make a strong first impression. They offer a 14.6-inch screen with English and Arabic voice control, 12 premium speakers, dual-zone climate control, a wireless charger and an electric panoramic sunroof. 

Fleet grades get a 12-inch screen. The Hilux starts with an 8-inch display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the AT GLX and Overland move up to a 12.3-inch display with wireless connectivity and 8 speakers.

Category	Hilux	Navara Pro
Screen	8" or 12.3"	12" fleet, 14.6" retail
Speakers	2 to 8	12 on retail grades
Wireless charger	AT GLX, Overland	Retail grades

Safety: What Protects You

Every Hilux has dual front and driver knee airbags, ABS, stability control and tyre pressure monitoring. The Overland adds Toyota Safety Sense 3, a blind spot monitor and a panoramic view monitor. The Navara Pro offers six airbags, an electric parking brake with auto hold, and a 540-degree Around View Monitor on retail grades.

Off-Road and Towing

Nissan quotes 3,300 kg towing, up to 1,175 kg payload on fleet grades and 800 mm wading depth. Retail grades add Desert, Rock, Mud and Expert drive modes. Toyota's brochure gives no towing figures, so we cannot compare those directly.

Our Verdict: Which Pickup Fits Your Life

If you want something proven, with a diesel option and 500 Nm of torque for heavy loads, the Hilux is the sensible, low-risk choice. It also has the wider range, from a simple AED 107,900 single cab to the AED 164,900 Overland.

The Navara Pro is the more exciting proposition on paper. More power, a bigger screen, a panoramic sunroof and a lower starting price make it a tempting option for buyers who want a pickup that feels modern. The catch is that it is not in showrooms yet, and Nissan has not shared higher-grade pricing.

Our advice: if you need a pickup now, or you prefer diesel, go with the Hilux. If you can wait a few weeks, see the Navara Pro in person first, then compare the exact grade and price with the Hilux variant you like. Our Navara Pro launch coverage has more.

Also Read: Which Chinese Pickup Truck Actually Makes Sense in the UAE?