Nissan Navara 2012 Review

There’s a gunfight brewing in the diesel dual-cab ute market. Last year the segment accounted for more than 75,000 sales, and it’s growing, with impressive new contenders emerging on a regular basis, aimed as much at tradies as recreational and family buyers.

Perennial favourites, Nissan Navara and Toyota HiLux, which together account for around 50 per cent of diesel dual-cab sales, are no longer clearcut choices, with the likes of the Volkswagen Amarok and Ford Ranger/Mazda BT-50 raising the bar over the last 12 months.

Also aiming to take a bigger slice of this booming market will be the all-new Holden Colorado and Isuzu D-MAX, due to arrive later this year.

With new ute models up to three years away, Toyota and Nissan have fought back recently with equipment upgrades and repositioned pricing across their ranges. In the case of the HiLux, there’s mild styling revisions and sharper pricing in an attempt to hold onto its ute sales crown.

Nissan, meanwhile, has come out swinging by slotting its class-leading 170kW/550Nm turbodiesel V6 into the cheaper ST-X Navara variant. Priced at $56,990, the ST-X also gets the seven-speed auto, CD player with USB connection, alloy sports bar, fog lights, rear underseat storage and rear privacy glass.

The range-topping, V6-powered ST-X 550, priced at $62,990, costs $2000 more than before.  But it’s now fitted standard with the previous $4000 Premium Option package, which includes leather heated seats, Bose audio system with hard drive, sat nav, reversing camera and satin black sports bar with LED stop light. But as the hard tonneau cover valued at around $2000 has been deleted, there’s really no added value.

Buyers of the most popular dual cab 4x4 Navara variant, the entry level ST, also get a better deal with a more powerful 140kW/450Nm version of the 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine, making it a better match with some of its newer rivals.

Priced from $46,800, the ST also gets 17-inch alloy wheels, six airbags, dual zone air-con, Bluetooth connectivity and the five-channel Utili-Track load restraint system.

Safety has also been improved with stability control and three-point seatbelts for all passengers now fitted as standard across the range.

The launch drive of the updated Nissan D40 range provided the opportunity to evaluate both four- and six-cylinder versions in a range of typical ute scenarios, including some heavy-duty towing and challenging off-road tracks.

Driving over some loose gravel and rugged bush tracks, proved no problem for the four-cylinder ST-X fitted with the five-speed auto. With decent levels of grunt, it was most impressive when pulling strongly in second gear up a steep, gnarled incline, aided by its jacked-up body and 4WD system.

While a strong performer the four-pot engine proved a tad noisier and rougher than the smooth V6, with some turbo noise intruding into the cabin. But then the smaller engine often had to work harder than the big V6.

We also drove an ST-X 550 Navara hooked up to a trailer carrying sleepers over a windy, mountain route. The V6 ute made light work of the extra 2000kg behind it, accelerating up bitumen inclines with little regard for its extra load. 

Emitting a deep note at higher revs, the unfussed V6 also combined well with the smooth-shifting seven-speed auto. It willingly held on to higher gears under heavy throttle, thanks to the truckloads of torque available.

The V6 is also not that much thirstier than the four-cylinder (9.5L/100km versus 9.0L/100km), at least according to official figures.

On-road, the Navara offers a decent ride and handling package for a leaf-sprung ute but it’s showing its age when compared to the better on-road dynamics offered by the Ford Ranger/Mazda BT-50 pair. The rear end can feel jittery over rougher surfaces although it can still be hustled confidently through the bends with adequate grip and composure.

While the Navara benefits from some minor exterior styling updates, it’s still basically the same seven-year old design. The interior, which was updated about two years ago, looks fresher and feels as up-to-date as many of its newer rivals with a simple, well-laid out dash and easy to use controls.

It may be one of the oldest ute models on the market, but the D40 Navara still shapes up as a smart, rugged, and practical ute equally suitable for work or play. While the four-cylinder versions should be sufficient for most , our value pick would be the V6-powered ST-X particularly if you plan on towing something approaching three tonnes.

Despite the updates, the ST-X 550 Navara (and to a lesser extent the ST-X and ST) remain pricey in comparison to some of their rivals. Regardless, the range-topping Navara with all its luxury kit and rorty V6 still makes a compelling case for those with the financial means.

For more information on turbodiesel dual-cab utes,

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