As sales of pickups exploded over the last decade, the Navara has become a common sight,
so you’ll easily recognise this as the toughest Nissan on sale. Its bodywork might only look
subtly different, but this third generation is almost all new under the surface.
The big news: it still does all of the stuff you need a pickup for, but Nissan has made
it just that bit nicer to live with away from the building site. It’s like the Hulk has
reached maturity, calmed down a bit and shows his green side less often. So, can it still
beat the Mitsubishi L200, Ford Ranger and VW Amarok into submission? Let’s find out.
This is the most workmanlike Visia trim, and finished in Alabaster White, it might as well
be called ‘UN spec’, but it’s definitely not like a military vehicle in here. Okay,
there’s still a lot of plastic, and while it looks tough, it certainly isn’t offensive
and everything has a charming simplicity. Perhaps the biggest disappointment is the
old-school looking radio, but it works fine and its Bluetooth connection is clear, even
at motorway speeds. Not only that, but you get steering wheel controls, cruise control
and auto headlights. But, step up to trims like the Acenta+ or Tekna and you can use
words like bells and whistles. Think 18-inch wheels, climate control, a reversing camera,
leather seats and even a birds-eye style parking view.
But, back to this Visia, which is the one many tradespeople will buy and the fundamentals
are all here. I’ve been really impressed with the comfort of the seats, which are apparently
inspired by NASA designs, and one very important fact. Put the window down and it’s exactly
the right height for maximum elbow comfort. That’s an important thing reviewers often
overlook. You can get a King Cab, but I’d really recommend
this Double Cab if you plan on treating the Navara anything like an SUV. Especially with
an open bed, it’s far easier to chuck your bag or coat back here, and for passengers
I can’t remember a more comfortable back seat in a pick-up, usually it’s like sitting
on a wooden bench. I won’t go into every measurement, but suffice
to say, if you could carry it in a previous Navara, you still can. Maximum load weight
is over a tonne and you can tow 3.5 tonnes, so there are few vehicles more versatile.
Also noteworthy is this C-Channel tie down system, which allows you to strap loads down
to sliding cleats. With the Visia trim, they’re a £150 option.
Like vans, most pickups use leaf-sprung rear suspension, which is essentially what you
find on a horse-drawn cart. The reason for this is the fact leaf-springs are incredibly
tough and able to deal with heavy loads, but the downside is a bumpy ride, especially when
unladen, with little weight pushing them down. But, the double-cab Navarra is one of the
first pickups to do away with them, and its five-link rear suspension is a revelation.
This is the smoothest, comfiest pickup I’ve ever driven – hit a bump and instead of
that pogoing feeling you used to get, the Navara settles straight away.
Handling has benefitting too, and while this two-tonne truck is certainly no sports car,
the steering has less slack around the centre, it feels more precise and the Navara feels
happier both cornering and changing direction. You can also go properly off road in this
thing, and most version come with selectable four-wheel drive as standard.
The smaller engine is now a 2.3-litre with either 158bhp or 187bhp, and the power boost
isn’t just down to a few lines of ECU code, you actually get two turbos instead of one.
We’re in the lower powered model and to be honest, it feels quick enough, certainly
faster than its 12 second 0-62mph figure, because weighing two tonnes, standing starts
aren’t exactly its forte. I would go for the auto over this long-throw
manual – which moves around rather alarmingly at times and is quite vague – but to do
that you have to go for both the powerful engine and Acenta+ trim, so it won’t make
sense for everyone. The auto also drops economy from a claimed 44mpg to 40mpg, but in this
manual the trip tells us we’ve been average around 37mpg, a bit less than the L200 we
tested. The Navara starts from £22k including VAT
for a King Cab in Visia spec, but because it’s less practical and gets more basic
suspension, we’d say the £24k Double cab is your best starting point. Go for the top
engine with an automatic in Tekna trim and you can spend over £30k, but again this is
including VAT, so if you’re a business customer, take 20 per cent off that.
The Navara has built up a good reputation over the years, and the latest model is a
fantastic bit of kit. It looks tough, it feels tough, and yet it has a softer side. The ride
won’t make your nodding dog look like it’s at an Iron Maiden gig and the interior is
worthy of a budget SUV. It might not be just as frugal as the L200,
but for some, the Navara’s looks –especially in more lavish trim levels– and the way
it drives, will be enough to win them over. So what do you think of the Navara? Let us
know in the comments section below and don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel.
To research your next car and find great deals, visit carkeys.co.uk and, to watch more reviews,
click on the links at the end of the video.