Mitsubishi Is Rejoining the Pickup Wars in America for the First Time in Years

The Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier are about to have another Japanese rival.

Orange Mitsubishi pickup truck front with black grille and headlights kicking up dust.

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Published May 29, 2026

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Updated June 1, 2026

Just when we thought the pickup truck wars were already hot with plenty of potential new contenders, Mitsubishi has just confirmed that it will be joining the fold. The small Japanese automaker recently held its annual investor and product strategy conference.

And amid the marketing and financial jargon, the Japanese trident confirmed it will introduce a new midsize pickup for North America. That would make it the first such vehicle from the brand in almost two decades.

Reinvigorating its US presence with more off-roaders

Yellow Mitsubishi Triton 4x4 pickup truck with black roof rack and off-road tires on a gravel road. — Mitsubishi’s latest global Triton is a midsize pickup we’re lusting over, but it will likely remain off limits to America.

It’s no secret that off-roaders are exploding in popularity here in the States. It’s a trend that coincides with the recent overlanding boom.

Because Americans have been openly and continuously expressing interest in exploring the great outdoors, automakers are answering the calls in more ways than one.

Many are even creating more rugged versions of their crossover SUVs to meet the demands. The trend obviously caught Mitsubishi’s attention, as it’s also looking to jump on the bandwagon with its product revamp here in America.

Thirteen vehicle models covered with black cloths labeled by type, including minivan, small SUV, compact SUV, new Pajero, SUVs, pickup, new XPANDER, BEV SUVs, Kei-BEV, and Kei-Wagon. — Mitsubishi’s new global product strategy confirms a new midsize pickup for America.

If you thought Mitsubishi was no more here in the States, you’re not alone. The brand’s presence has shrunk significantly over the years as its lineup became stagnant.

As a result, Mitsubishi is reenergizing its American product strategy with the intent to “enhance brand strength by expanding off-road models,” according to its recent literature.

Red Mitsubishi rally car splashing mud and water while driving through a muddy forest trail. — Mitsubishi is fixture to the off-roading world, both in prestigious motorsports and in general.

This isn’t surprising as Mitsubishi is one of the most formidable names in the four-wheeling world. While the company gave us some epic road-going sports cars and even a World Rally Championship legend, it’s still known for rugged off-roaders.

Thus, Mitsubishi most certainly wants to lean back into this reputation to rejuvenate its brand image in America.

Teaming up with Nissan once again

Orange Nissan pickup truck with black roof rack and off-road accessories parked in a grassy area with trees. — Mitsubishi’s new pickup will likely share bones with a new Nissan, but it probably won’t be based on the Frontier.

According to Mitsubishi’s presentation, the automaker is doubling down on its partnership with Nissan. Mainly, for this new pickup truck.

The company calls it a collaboration, but it didn’t go into much further detail. Nissan and Mitsubishi have been in a corporate alliance since 2016.

Although Mitsubishi has a completely new global pickup in the next-gen Triton, it’s assembled in Thailand, as the Asian and South Pacific regions are the model’s primary markets.

Yellow Mitsubishi Triton 4x4 pickup truck with black roof rack in a misty forest. — The new midsize pickup may utilize Nissan’s newest body-on-frame platform, which is expected to underpin the new Xterra and next-gen Pathfinder.

Mitsubishi also noted in its conference that recent US tariffs are making things difficult strategically. Hence, the collaboration with Nissan.

It means this new pickup has the potential to be based on Nissan’s latest body-on-frame platform. The Yokohama-based automaker is in the midst of bringing back a few notable off-roaders, like the Xterra and a more rugged version of the Pathfinder.

Front view of a yellow Nissan car with illuminated amber lights in the rain at night. — We already know Nissan’s working on a new Xterra, and the Mitsubishi pickup could share its platform.

Both will utilize a completely new body-on-frame chassis. This new platform could also likely serve as the backbone for this new Mitsubishi-Nissan-based American pickup.

Currently, Nissan makes a similar platform for the Frontier. However, because it’s rather old, it makes for an unlikely starting point.

The first American Mitsubishi pickup in ages

Red Mitsubishi pickup truck parked on a dirt road with large rocks in the background. — Forgot about the Dodge Dakota-based Mitsubishi Raider? It’s okay, so did we.

If you’re in America and completely forgot Mitsubishi sold a few here in the States, it’s okay. The last one was beyond forgettable.

Back in the 2000s, Mitsubishi sold the Raider pickup between 2006 and 2009. Based on the last Dodge Dakota ever made, it was one of the final byproducts of Mitsubishi’s American partnership with Dodge and Chrysler.

Silver Mitsubishi pickup truck parked on a wet street with a person walking nearby. — The last true Mitsubishi pickup sold here in the States was the Mighty Max in the late ’80s and early ’90s.

Before that, Mitsubishi sold a tiny, compact pickup called the Mighty Max. But that was an ’80s and early ’90s product, and it was essentially the last time Mitsubishi sold its own pickup here in the States.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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