Nissan Navara 2016 Review

Nissan Navara RX 4X2 Single-Cab Chassis and ST-X 4X4 King-Cab Pick-Up
Road Test

They might both measure 5120mm long, but there’s a big difference between the bare-boned, entry-level Navara single-cab chassis diesel ute and its full-fruit, range-topping, off-road, pick-up brother – aside from the $25,000 price differential, of course. One is an unashamed workhorse with cramped cabin, big payload and few comforts; the other a glammed-up off-roader as suitable for building sites as campsites. After driving both, it’s easy to see why there are 25 other variants available in the range…

It’s a well-known fact most road tests of one-tonne utes are of the range-topping, leather-lined, plush-riding, dual-cab pick-up variety.

Not surprisingly, car companies like to see their model ranges exposed in the best possible light, and an all-singing, all-dancing $50,000-plus version of what is basically a rugged, ladder-frame chassis workhorse, makes good marketing sense.

However, it’s fair to say most utes driven in the real world by tradies, farmers and council workers are the cheaper, bare-boned, cab-chassis variety, with few of the creature comforts lavished on their vastly more expensive, leisure-oriented cousins.

I was reminded of this when driving back-to-back two of the 27 variants available in Nissan’s latest Navara range. The first stint was in the Navara RX 4X2 Single-Cab Chassis, which with a list price of $25,990 (plus ORCs, and not including tray) sits just above the entry-level petrol model. This was followed by the Navara ST-X 4X4 King-Cab Pick-Up. Optioned with the seven-speed auto it retails for $51,490 (plus ORCs) – or almost twice the price of the RX.

Fitted with the six-speed manual transmission and powered by a turbo-charged 2.3-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine pumping out 120kW/403Nm, the first thing you notice about the RX is how agricultural and more ‘involving’ the experience is compared to more SUV-like upmarket utes.

Off the mark there’s some turbo lag up to 1500rpm, and in traffic you’re kept busy shifting gears to stay within the 1500-2500rpm torque peak. It’s reasonably smooth but pretty noisy, thanks to little insulation around the cabin. However, once in top gear, the Navara cruises on the freeway at an acceptable 2000rpm.

Not helping matters is the long-throw ‘box and relatively notchy shifts, at least compared to the smoother manual sampled in the Mazda BT-50 recently. Changes need to be quite deliberate, particularly from second to third gear, and while the clutch is light there’s a high pick-up point.

Truck-like handling also means you can’t rush it through corners, although the steering is pleasantly light and the turning circle above-average for a ute.

Driven unladen, the rear leaf-sprung suspension set-up can get jittery, and doesn’t handle speed bumps too well. Fuel consumption around town was close to 8.0L/100km.

Drivers, particularly tall ones, also get the short straw when it comes to seating position. While the padding is OK, the seat base and back adjust only so far back, resulting in a slightly uncomfortable splayed legs position for my 190cm frame. No wonder most tradies I come across are of smaller stature!

There’s limited visibility through the B-pillars and rear window and in conjunction with an over-sized aluminium tray, backing up is a head-ache. If ever a vehicle needed a reversing camera or sensors, this is it. On the plus side, you’re unlikely to do much damage to the sturdy tray if you do tap something.

A throwback to another decade, the austere cabin has few highlights apart from automatic headlights and some steering wheel controls. We had trouble finding things like outside temperature display or connecting to the audio system via Bluetooth, although there is some fake chrome on the side mirrors to go with the 16-inch steel wheels.

The four-speaker radio/CD player struggled with AM reception around town, and had to be cranked right up to overcome engine and other external noise.

Incidental storage areas are limited to a tiny space behind the seats and small centre console box although the door pockets are big enough for large drink bottles. Also practical are the three 12-volt outlets and USB/AUX sockets, along with convenient spots for mobile phones.

But the upside of the cramped cabin is quick air-con cooling on hot days. And the big factory aluminium tray out back, unlike less practical shiny painted tubs on pricier utes, can take a beating and comes with steel window protection, drop-down sides and underslung rails.

It easily swallowed a heavy package around 1.7 x 1.7m that lay flat in the tray; an unlikely event in a ute tub with wheel arch intrusions.

The ST-X, on the other hand, is a different story when it comes to driving refinement and interior comfort, albeit at the expense of load-lugging ability.

While featuring an additional 12-volt outlet the smaller rear tub boasts a payload of just 966kg, versus 1362kg in the RX single cab. However, both can tow up to 3500kg.

With more grunt – 140kW/450Nm from a twin-turbo version of the 2.3-litre turbo-diesel – the auto-equipped ST-X gets up to speed more smoothly and quietly, although the auto’s tendency to hold onto gears contributed to engine noise.

Passengers feel better insulated from road bumps too, although the rear suspension still bounces around over anything but the smoothest bitumen when unladen.

The comfier and more spacious cabin including leather-accented driver’s seat with eight-way adjustment, plus other niceties like sat-nav, reversing camera, LED projector headlights, dual-zone climate control, and keyless entry/go, makes the four-seat Navara a much nicer place to spend time.

However, compared to the dual-cab Navara, which has seating for five adults, the King Cab version with its rear ‘suicide’ doors, really only offers temporary seating for two on the rear ‘stools’. Better to fold them up and utilise the extra space as a de facto boot.

The ST-X interior also boasts classier finishes, more storage space and clearer, digital displays to boost morale. And with its optional factory bull bar, driving lights and tow bar, the test vehicle is clearly geared towards recreational use.

While both 5120mm long overall, it’s clear these utes are aimed at different audiences. The RX ute is a no-nonsense workhorse, right down to the turbo lag, notchy gearbox, and noisy, cramped interior.

The almost 400kg heavier and less fuel-efficient (8.5L/100km average on test) top-spec, king cab Navara is a more civilised option for suburban, family and outback duties. And if neither of these fit the bill, Nissan offer 25 other variants in the Navara range, before you start looking at rivals…

2016 Nissan Navara RX 4X2 Single-Cab Chassis pricing and specifications:
Price: $25,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 120kW/403Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 6.4L/100km manual (ADR Combined)
CO2: 189g/km manual (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP

What we liked:
>> Big tray and payload
>> Decent performance
>> Tight turning circle

Not so much:
>> Noisy engine
>> Driver legroom
>> Jittery ride unladen

2016 Nissan Navara ST-X 4X4 King-Cab Pick-Up pricing and specifications:
Price: $51,490 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.3-litre four-cylinder twin-turbo-diesel
Output: 140kW/450Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.0L/100km auto (ADR Combined)
CO2: 186g/km auto (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP

What we liked:
>> Excellent interior storage
>> Good specification
>> Capable off-road

Not so much:
>> Noisy when revved
>> Bit pricey
>> No rear coil-spring option