Buying a used Nissan Navara D23 (2015-2018)

Is change always a good thing? Is adoption of a design that challenges mainstream thinking a brave move or foolish?

These questions must have plagued Nissan’s marketing and design leadership as the D23 generation of the popular Nissan Navara was launched.

Nissan since the 1990s had built its workhorse ute around a ladder chassis with wishbones and coil springs up front and a leaf-sprung, solid axle at the back. Those old Navaras didn’t do anything especially well, but it certainly wasn’t a dud, as solid sales stats indicated.

Off-road, the Navara was a solid plugger and would take its occupants to most of the places they were brave enough to visit. Coming home along the bitumen though, those cart springs, especially when there was minimal weight in the tray, gave those in the rear seat a noisy, bouncy ride.

The D23 was going to be different.

Out went the old springs and under the bum a set of coils with five-link location was brough in to really keep the back axle under control.

The engines and transmissions changed too, with the 3.0-litre diesel replaced by a 2.3-litre twin-turbo four-cylinder and another one of the same size but with a single turbo.

Nissan when introducing the D23 also looked hard at durability issues that afflicted previous models. The improvements ensured that the new model would build a better reputation with dealers who were struggling to sell them used, and with the motor trade which might advise a customer to look at something other than a used Navara.

Like the D40 Navara it replaced, the D23 Navara came in an extensive range of models and powertrain variations. Checking the listings at carsales.com.au helps determine which variations to consider in detail, so what follows is specifically directed at the 4x4 Navara RX dual-cab with single turbo and six-speed manual transmission, and the 4x4 Navara ST-X twin-turbo in automatic.

New in 2015, a manual Navara RX would cost $38,490 plus on-road cost. Automatic transmission added $3000, but was included in the cost of the Navara ST-X which at that time topped $51,000.

Navara D23s also sold in 4x2 configuration and could be ordered with a 2.5-litre petrol engine. However, around 95 per cent of the 2015-18 models in the market are diesels.

For their money, RX owners got durable but comfortable cloth seats with plenty of adjustment. Standard features also included four power windows, air-conditioning, in-dash display screen, automatic headlights and cruise control. In addition, there was a multi-function steering wheel, six-speaker sound system with USB and iPod inputs, and cup and bottle holders front and rear.

Jump to a Navara ST-X and the functional cabin becomes a cavern of earthly delights with leather everywhere, soft-touch dash covering, mood lighting and dual-zone climate control. Open the sliding panel above and there’s a monster moonroof, and the screen on the dash shows colour pictures, including a reversing camera display. And keyless start is standard.

Nissan built the D23 Navara in Thailand and sold it worldwide as a family carry-all that could be effective as a commercial vehicle if asked to do so. It also stood tall enough to intimidate any Corolla driver who might want to challenge for that last spot at school pick-up, but there was a problem and one that would become very apparent here in Australia.

While the new version with its rear coils dealt with corrugations and potholes way better than earlier Navaras, it struggled when asked to take a heavy load in the tray or tow something that exerted significant force on the tow hitch.

Two years after launching the D23 Navara and in response to complaints, Nissan launched its Series 2 update with rerated coils and shock absorbers. These better resisted the urge to compress when laden but still ensured the rear-end was better behaved over bumps than other dual-cabs with their old cart springs.

Safety in vehicles used for work and family transport is especially important and D23 Navaras don’t go wanting in this area. All models built after 2014 score maximum five-star ANCAP results and include a range of airbags plus belt pretensioners, ABS and stability control.

Inside, the Nissan Navara is a roomy and comfortable place, with the only problem being thick pillars that could impede forward vision. Most of the time though, visibility is excellent and having the reversing camera is a huge help too.

Four-wheel drive is selectable via a switch that electronically directs surplus power to the front wheels. High-range 4WD can be used for extra grip on wet bitumen but using it on hard, dry surfaces can damage the transmission because there isn’t sufficient slip to protect components from ‘binding’. 

Nissan’s strategy of employing rear coils to chase better behaviour on sealed surfaces or unsealed corrugations did work very well. Tests conducted away from populated areas and crowded roads reported predictable handling on rough tracks and fast gravel with excellent occupant comfort.

Where the Series 2 Navara with its uprated springs works better is when carrying more than 500kg in the back or heavy towing, however the improvement wasn’t earth shattering. If you don’t expect your vehicle to do either of these things very often, then save some money and pick a pre-2017 model.

Tyre choice is important and will make a big difference to the handling and especially to wet weather grip. Again, your anticipated use is significant, and unless your Navara will spend significant time off-road then don’t compromise its on-bitumen abilities with aggressive rubber that only works well in the rough.

Fuel consumption occupies the minds of many Navara owners, as a trawl through some internet 4WD forums will confirm. The single-turbo 2.3-litre engine produces 120kW and 403Nm and is claimed to average 6.6L/100km while the twin-turbo develops 140kW/450Nm and uses only minimally more at 7.1L/100km. In real-world use, those numbers both climb past 9L/100km.

Caution is advised when using a Navara to tow more than three tonnes (the D23 is rated at 3.5) and especially when taking the rig off-road. Some owners have lingering concerns about suspension durability and a few report bent chassis components after tackling rough conditions.

>> Engine issues seem confined to oil leaks, especially from the sump gasket, and some surging at constant throttle. Turbocharger failures are an ever-present threat and hard to identify until the unit is on the brink of failure. Smoke, whistling noises when decelerating and unwillingness to accelerate – sometimes mistaken for turbo lag – are indicators of impending trouble.

>> D23 Navaras should not display any sign of panel rust but scrapes inside the tray or underneath are inevitable and will leave metal exposed to harm. Utes that have been run frequently on the beach will have been sandblasted then exposed to salt water, so be wary of one with surface rust between the sills.

>> Rear coil springs can develop a permanent droop after towing or carrying persistently heavy weights. This will cause the body to hit the bump stops when laden and affect steering response, however the cure is simply to fit uprated springs and shocks. Saggy springs shouldn’t stop you buying an otherwise healthy vehicle, just make sure you get money off the purchase price.

>> Have the vendor run through the in-dash display to ensure you can identify all the functions and that everything still works.

Used vehicle grading for Nissan Navara D23
Design & Function: 14/20
Safety: 15/20
Practicality: 15/20
Value for Money: 13/20
Wow Factor: 10/20
Score: 67/100

Also consider: Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi Triton, Toyota HiLux