New Nissan Navara Warrior will be ‘best in class’

Longer, wider, taller and more capable, the new Aussie-developed 2021 Nissan Navara PRO-4X Warrior will outclass all other tough trucks in its class, including the locally-developed Toyota HiLux Rugged X.

That’s the word according to Premcar engineering director Bernie Quinn, a key figure behind the Melbourne-based operation that develops, engineers and assembles the Nissan Navara Warrior.

Asked if he was confident that Nissan’s new flagship dual-cab 4x4 ute was the highest-performing tough truck in Australia, Quinn responded: “Yeah, in the segment, definitely.

“We’re very confident. Like I said, the proof will really be in the pudding,” he added, insisting that when Australians get to drive and live with the new model, it will outshine its closest rivals, namely the Toyota HiLux Rugged X and Ford Ranger Wildtrak X.

Rolling into dealerships from around September, Nissan has not yet released pricing for the new Navara PRO-4X Warrior, but in top-selling auto guise it’s expected to tuck in just behind the HiLux Rugged X, which is priced from $69,990 plus on-road costs.

The Ranger Wildtrak X is priced from $66,790, pushing up to $68,290 plus ORCs for the Bi-Turbo version.

Unlike those models, however, the Warrior comes with all-terrain Cooper Adventurer AT3 tyres and a new Premcar-tuned suspension array, using Monroe springs and dampers.

The Navara Warrior’s new suspension and tyres combine to increase ride height from 220mm to 260mm, but, according to Nissan Australia’s Warrior project manager Matt Bailey, “is much more than a lift kit”.

The HiLux Rugged X is fitted with heavy-duty front springs while the Ranger Wildtrak X retains standard suspension.

Nissan was quick to point out, however, that the Warrior is not in the same league as the Ford Ranger Raptor (from $77,690), which features high-performance nitrogen Fox dampers and a thoroughly reworked chassis.

Asked if the Warrior was instead benchmarked against the likes of the HiLux Rugged X and similar models, Quinn responded: “Yeah, we certainly did.

“So we identified the competitive set, then we go and do baseline performance for the PRO-4X and assess the gaps, if any, then we address those,” he said.

“Then we go back and do a check again once we’ve finished, to make sure we’ve met our targets.”

The new Warrior is being touted as the toughest Navara ever built, and together with extra underbody protection and a front bash plate, it features larger, taller jounce bumpers to help control wheel movement at maximum wheel travel.

The chunkier, wider tyres increase the car’s overall width by 30mm as well.

There are no revisions to the 4x4 system, which continues with low-range ratios and a locking rear diff.

The 2.3-litre four-cylinder twin-turbo diesel engine (140kW/450Nm) also carries over.

Premcar expects to build around 1500 Navara Warrior utes per year, once development is finished and deliveries commence from around September.

It will then become a permanent member of the Navara range, at which point the firm’s R&D resources will shift focus to the 2022 Nissan Patrol Warrior due next year.

Toyota Australia also hasn’t ruled out creating its own Patrol Warrior rival in the form of a locally-engineered Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series Rugged X.