Nissan Navara 2015 Review

The dual-cab ute market has been one of immense change, even excitement, in recent years. With new or updated models a regular occurrence, no longer do tradies, farmers and increasingly, grey nomads, have to compromise on safety, performance, comfort, technology or even ride and handling when choosing a one-tonne workhorse for work or play.

As a string of impressive of new models have hit the market, including the driver-focussed Mazda BT-50/Ford Ranger twins and techno-laden Volkswagen Amarok, Nissan’s popular but now decade-old D40-series Navara has increasingly shown its age. Sales have suffered as it dropped behind rivals on a number of key features now demanded by many ute buyers.

Now, that is a thing of the past -- the all-new Nissan D23-series Navara, was launched this week in Thailand and will arrive Down Under in early-2015. And make no mistake it addresses most of the Nissan ute’s perceived shortcomings, matching (and in some cases surpassing) rivals in key areas including towing capacity, technology, safety and ride comfort (thanks to the availability of a multi-link coil spring rear suspension on some models).

Although boasting all-new sheetmetal and a completely redesigned interior, Nissan hasn’t taken any risks with the styling of the new Navara. Bulging wheel arches and subtle body creases blend with upmarket exterior touches like LED projector headlights with bright, boomerang-shaped daytime running lights for a stylish yet macho look that should appeal to tradies and lifestyle buyers alike.

The SUV-inspired design touches continue inside, with a sweeping dashboard dominated by a large centre stack with a 7.0-inch touchscreen, at least in the up-spec dual-cab models we drove on launch.

Lifting the mood are hard but textured plastic surfaces, with chrome and piano black highlights. The user-friendly infotainment system should be familiar to Nissan fans and features full Bluetooth and USB phone and audio connectivity, sat nav and a reverse camera to go with rear parking sensors.

Other new tech such as push-to-start ignition and a sophisticated digital trip computer nestled in the instrument cluster and controlled by steering wheel buttons, serve to push the new Navara well beyond its humble workhorse origins.

Although the compact steering wheel remains adjustable only for height, we managed to find the ideal driving position thanks to a good seat height and electrically adjustable driver’s seat. The new ‘spinal support’ front seats also proved particularly supportive and comfortable in the few hours we spent in the utes.

Rear-seat comfort has also improved thanks to sculptured backrests on the two outboard pews, while rear passengers also get floor-mounted drink cup holders and rear vents for the dual-zone climate control. However, it does remain a tad squishy back there, at least for three burly blokes with limited shoulder, leg and headroom.

Interior storage options were also disappointing, with only a small centre console compartment, tiny glovebox but decent-sized door pockets leaving little room for larger items. At least, the rear bench flips up to provide more storage when required.

The dual-cab utes were also fitted with a small, electric sliding window in the rear glass and sunroof – both novelties in the Aussie one-tonne ute market [unless you own a Triton].

The beefy 550Nm turbodiesel V6 departs the Navara range in this generation but it shouldn’t be missed too much. A new Renault-sourced, high-output twin-turbo four-cylinder engine does a great job of providing smooth, refined and punchy performance.

The lighter, more efficient 2.3-litre four will be offered in single and twin-turbo configurations and certainly feels more responsive across the rev range than the 2.5-litre engine it replaces. It pulls strongly from lower revs and peak torque of 450Nm twin-turbo range-topper arrives from just 1500rpm.

It’s not quite as willing from really low revs (as say the Amarok or D-MAX), but offers a good mix of highway cruising performance and low-speed off-road grunt. It’s also quieter than many of its rivals’ more raucous, truck-like powerplants.

Nissan is yet to release fuel economy figures, but we saw an average figure on a combined off-road/highway route of 8.5L/100km.

The new engine also teams up well with both six-speed manual and seven-speed automatic transmissions. The auto with its ‘double overdrive’ gearing and willingness to hold on to higher gears across the rev range (as well as the option to manually select gears) is the pick for all-round use.

Also impressive was the new multi-link rear suspension’s ability to soak up the bumps and provide a relatively smooth, well-damped ride over some very rough and broken dirt roads in the northern Thai jungles around Chiang Mai.

Unladen utes with rear leaf springs usually bounce and skip over rough terrain, but the Navara’s more sophisticated rear-end remained well planted, dispatching most nasties in its path while delivering a commendably composed off-road experience.

The upside is that coil sprung Navara utes will still offer the full one-tonne payload, so there’s no need to sacrifice practicality for comfort.

Despite trimming 70kg of fat, out on bitumen roads the almost two-tonne Navara feels bulky in the corners, with plenty of understeer but well-controlled body roll when pushed.

Perhaps the biggest letdown in the driving experience is the woolly rack and pinion steering, although a decent turning circle makes up for that somewhat.

All 4x4 models retain switch-on-the-fly up to 100km/h, although unlike Amarok and Triton, the Navara’s 4WD system will not operate on bitumen. However, over a tricked-up 4WD circuit it proved an adept performer, helped by short front overhang, 218mm clearance and decent rampover and departure angles.

Electronic driver aids including hill-start assist, and hill-descent control helped keep everything under control while navigating a steep 30-degree slope. An electronic locking rear diff will also be available for serious off-road use.

Nissan has also ticked the safety box by fitting seven airbags to the latest Navara including rear curtain and driver’s knee airbags.

Slightly bigger dual-cab trays will continue to be offered with adjustable tie-down cleats, tub liners and a 12-volt power outlet (to go with three other 12-volt power outlets inside the cabin) although disappointingly, no rear tray light was fitted.

The only other potential negative of the new, feature-packed Navara, at least in top-spec dual cab 4x4 form tested here, is yet-to-be-announced pricing that could put the most desirable models out of reach of your average family buyer or farmer.

Although again, a $60K-plus range-topping Navara will at least keep it on par with other pricey offerings from many of its rivals.

2015 Nissan Navara pricing and specifications:
Price: $TBA
Engine: 2.3-litre twin turbo four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 140kW/450Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual/Seven-speed automatic
Fuel: TBA
CO2: TBA
Safety Rating: TBA