Nissan Navara – What you need to know

Workhorse, family hauler, off-road adventurer and load lugger, there’s almost no end to the versatility of light commercial vehicles – utes in particular – which is why they’re so appealing to families and tradies alike.

A comprehensively updated Nissan Navara has touched in 2021 with a rationalised range of variants. Gone are the RX and DX trim levels, with SL the new entry-level model. Then comes ST, ST-X and top-dog PRO-4X replacing the N-TREK.

The 2021 Nissan Navara remains available in three cabin types – single, king and dual – offering pick-up and cab-chassis configurations across seven 4x2 and 15 4x4 variants, all powered by a single- or twin-turbo diesel engine with a choice of a six-speed manual or seven-speed auto, along with 4x2 and 4x4 drivelines.

With so much choice it’s easy to feel like a kid in a lolly shop, so to help you grab the sweetest one for your needs, let’s get into the details.

Kicking off the Nissan Navara range is the SL Single Chassis Cab 4x2 manual at $32,300 plus on-road costs that has the following standard equipment:

• 8.0-inch infotainment touch-screen
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Air-conditioning
• Cruise control
• Power windows and mirrors
• Cloth trim
• Vinyl floor covering

Premium paint adds $650 across the Nissan Navara range. If you decide on the Nissan Navara ST-X a couple of option packs are available.

A power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support and heating for both front seats, covered in leather seat trim, costs $1000. If you want the same pack plus a tilt-and-slide sunroof you’ll have to fork over $2000.

All versions of the Nissan Navara come with cruise control, hill start assist, trailer sway control, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), driver alert, ABS brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, along with seven airbags, traction control, vehicle dynamic control, auto headlights, auto-dimming interior mirror and, on pick-up bodies, a reversing camera.

A step up to the Nissan Navara ST gains you a plethora of driver assist features including around-view monitoring, lane departure and blind spot warnings and interventions, and rear cross traffic alert, while the Navara ST-X adds tyre pressure monitoring.

If you tick the four-wheel drive layout in any variant, you also get hill descent control and an electronic locking rear differential.

New to the Navara ST-X king-cab and ST dual-cab models is an off-road monitor that detects obstacles at low speeds in low-range off-road mode.

As standard, all Nissan Navara models come with an 8.0-inch infotainment screen featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, music streaming, Bluetooth, AM/FM radio and, in the SL, a single USB port and two 12V outlets.

If you want satellite navigation and prefer the clarity of digital radio through six speakers, tick the Navara ST box in the dual-cab range, or opt for Navara ST-X if you’re going for a king-cab model.

The entry-level workhorse Navara SL rides on 17-inch steel wheels, and features cloth trim, a urethane steering wheel, vinyl flooring, two cup holders and a rear window defroster.

Outside, there are halogen headlights, with the door handles, window surrounds and rear bumper and grille all finished in black. As mentioned, if you pick the 4x4 model, an electronic diff lock and hill descent control are yours.

A tint on the rear side and back glass comes standard on the Nissan Navara ST dual-cab variants or on the Navara ST-X king-cab models, along with a nifty electric sliding rear window that is great for added ventilation or to easily grab something from the cargo area.

Lighting the way are LEDs for the headlights, fog lights, daytime running lights and tail-lights, with only the Navara SL making do with halogen lights.

Lifting the interior of the Navara ST dual-cab is the steering wheel and gear lever knob featuring leather accents, carpet mats on the floor in place of vinyl, chrome on the door handles and vanity mirrors incorporated into the sun visors.

The convenience of an auto anti-dazzle mirror, rain-sensing wipers and auto high beam headlights are also yours in the ST.

But if you want leather accents on the seats in place of cloth in your dual-cab it’s the top-dog Navara PRO-4X 4x4 pick-up, or grab the pick-up variant of the Navara ST-X 4x4 king-cab and save a bundle. This variant also has powered and heated front seats.

The convenience of push-button engine start/stop, rain-sensing wipers and auto high beam headlights are all in the Navara ST dual-cab but aren’t standard until you reach the Navara ST-X in king-cab form.

Manual air-conditioning comes standard on Navara SL and ST variants but if you sign up for a Navara ST-X you get the individual comfort of a dual-zone climate control system. The good news is all king-cab and dual-cab models have rear vents.

Alloy wheels give the exterior a lift and if you tick the Navara ST box you get 17-inch rims. But only the Navara ST-X – dual-cab or king-cab – or the Navara PRO-4X comes with 18-inch alloys plus a full-size alloy spare.

To keep the cargo area damage-free, a tub liner also comes standard in the Navara ST-X.

To dress up your Navara with an alloy sports bar and side steps, head for the Navara ST dual-cab or Navara STX king-cab, which also feature chrome around the windows, on the door handles and grille, plus black side steps and the powered door mirrors with folding and heating functions.

If you want to stand out further the Navara PRO-4X comes with black door handles and a black and grey grille.

One engine powers the entire Nissan Navara range: a 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel.

Depending on the model you choose you’ll get either a single turbo or twin turbochargers with 120kW/403Nm or 140kW/450Nm respectively.

The single-turbo engine is found in manual versions of the Navara 4x2 SL single- and dual-cabs, with all other variants getting the twin-turbo engine, regardless of transmission.  

The six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic are available in both dual- and single-cab styles, with king-cabs being automatics only.

Nissan specifies a towing capacity for unbraked trailers up to 750kg, or up to 3500kg for braked trailers on all variants.

If you are a tradie or courier/delivery worker the Nissan Navara SL Single Cab 4x2 with an auto is all you’d ever need.

For me, I’d want greater versatility for work, rest and play, and I’d opt for a dual-cab version.

And for ease of driving in all conditions it has to be a 4x4 with an automatic transmission.

After considering all the options, the one I’d settle for is the Nissan Navara ST Dual Cab Pick-up 4x4 auto.

How much does the 2021 Nissan Navara cost?
SL Single Cab Chassis 4x2 manual – $32,300
SL Single Cab Chassis 4x2 auto – $34,800
SL King Cab Chassis 4x2 auto – $38,800
SL Dual Cab Pick-up 4x2 manual – $39,600
SL Dual Cab Pick-up 4x2 auto – $42,100
ST Dual Cab Pick-up 4x2 auto – $47,780
ST-X Dual Cab Pick-up 4x2 auto – $51,270

SL Single Cab Chassis 4x4 manual – $39,300
SL Single Cab Chassis 4x4 auto – $41,800
SL King Cab Chassis 4x4 auto – $45,800
SL King Cab Pick-up 4x4 auto – $47,600
ST-X King Cab Pick-up 4x4 auto – $58,270
SL Dual Cab Chassis 4x4 manual – $44,880
SL Dual Cab Chassis 4x4 auto – $47,300
SL Dual Cab Pick-up 4x4 manual – $46,600
SL Dual Cab Pick-up 4x4 auto – $49,100
ST Dual Cab Pick-up 4x4 manual – $52,280
ST Dual Cab Pick-up 4x4 auto – $54,780
ST-X Dual Cab Pick-up 4x4 manual – $55,770
ST-X Dual Cab Pick-up 4x4 auto – $58,270
PRO-4X Dual Cab Pick-up 4x4 manual – $58,130
PRO-4X Dual Cab Pick-up 4x4 auto – $60,630
* Prices exclude on-road costs