Nissan Navara ST-X 2015 Long-term review - 3

Nissan Navara ST-X
Long-Term Test update

A ute for Christmas? When Road Test editor Matt Brogan suggested I use the long-term Navara we have on test fleet at the moment over the Christmas break I was pleased indeed. Tip runs, day trips and the perfect set-up for transporting Milly, the very active family Labrador to the beach and associated summer points of interest.

A dual cab ute would be just the ticket and offer some real-world useage feedback for a potential buyer.

Dogs in utes. Gone are the days where you would see a poor mutt skating across the back of a flat bed, or drop-side ute. Hopefully, anyway. There are smart rules about correct leashing nowadays and they make perfect sense. Follow the rules in this area and dog and human alike can relax, to some extent.

It’s true that recreational dog ownership in Australia is among the highest in the world. We love our canine friends and take them with us. From the tradie’s dishlicker to the four-legged family member, the dog is factored into the car purchasing choice. Yes. Rover has his say.

Our family is no different. Milly is a discerning, large dog who takes her car travel seriously. She is thrilled to be in the car at any time. Of course, there are many cars she simply doesn’t fit in, and there is the interior damage a wet, strong, big clawed dog can do to be considered. So, she doesn’t always get to come along. And, she really doesn’t like that. Not a bit.

The Navara quickly became a favourite.

The high sides all the big dual-cabs boast is a big bonus for those looking to transport dogs. While a greyhound could certainly jump over the side, most breeds couldn’t and the temptation is far lessened as well. This makes for fewer anxious head checks from a loving owner and a much more relaxed experience.

The sliding middle window at the rear is also a big bonus. The dog can make contact with its humans and it takes away the ‘remote’ nature of transporting a dog. More than once Milly would poke her nose into the cabin area to ensure we were following the rules. It also allows for easy monitoring of loads without leaving the car. We used that feature regularly and it placed it high on the list of desirable set-ups.

Modern dual-cabs are dimensionally much larger than their early predecessors. In fact, the current crop of duallies are very similarly dimensioned. There really isn’t a whole lot to split them, but they are well-proportioned, moving more towards the American style of ‘big and imposing’.

With two teenaged boys, both well over six-feet tall in the old measure, a standard ute has never made sense for us as a family. And, the upright nature of the rear seating normally found in older dual-cab utes has always held us back from considering one as a viable family car. It’s a very pleasant surprise to find that is far less of a consideration when it comes to the Navara. The interior as just about as car like as possible, and rear seat passengers are held in very reasonable comfort, although a touch more legroom would be appreciated.

Of course, it has to be pointed out that our ute is a top of the line ST-X. There are niceties that include power adjusted and heated front seats, sunroof, dual-zone climate-control, push-button igntion and a 7.0-inch colour display that includes sat-nav and numerous other functions.

The Renault-Nissan 2.3-litre twin-turbo diesel is a lumpy thing and gives away the game in regard to the fact that the Navara’s roots lie in the commercial sector. While it happily mates with the seven-speed auto, you never really feel like the luxo interior is matched by the powerplant.

A little truck-like, but strong and adequate, the 140kW/450Nm engine is best driven riding the torque, rather than looking for revs. It is happy to pull from the bottom from very low revs and low-speed and tight maneuvering (like those to be found negotiating the tip and small coastal back roads) is aided by that characteristic.

The Navara returned 9.6L/100km over our test period, taking in country running and short trips to the beach. It was only moderately loaded some of the time and that return is a little thirsty.

Overall, the Navara pleasantly surprised. It is quite user friendly and offers a real alternative for an active family. And, as happy dog is good news on a trip. It seems a dual-cab ute is not just for Christmas…

2016 Nissan Navara ST-X 4WD pricing and specifications:
Price: $54,490 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 140kW/450Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 186g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

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Images: Angus Leech