The Navara recently received an extensive update and is now produced at Nissan’s assembly plant in Rosslyn. Has Nissan done enough to reignite interest in its bakkie offering, which has been optimised for the local market? We’ve had an opportunity to sample the range-topping Navara Pro-4X 4×4 to find some answers…
We like: Bold styling, adequate performance, comfortable ride quality
We don’t like: Cabin execution (plastic and trim choice), not enough value for money
Fast Facts
- Model tested: Nissan Navara 2.5DDTi Pro-4X 4×4 Automatic
- Price: R749 000 (As of December 2021)
- Engine: 2.5-litre turbodiesel
- Power/Torque: 140 kW / 450 Nm
- Transmission: 7-speed automatic
- Fuel economy: 8.1 L/100km (claimed)
What is it?
The updated Nissan Navara is arguably the best-looking bakkie in South Africa. Wouldn’t you agree?
You could be forgiven for thinking that this is an all-new Navara, but it is, in actual fact, a thoroughly-revised iteration of the 3rd-generation Navara, which was introduced in the local market in 2017 and, importantly, it’s now built right here in South Africa at Nissan’s Rosslyn production facility.
From a styling perspective, we think it looks fantastic – we love the bold, powerful and squared-off look of this latest Navara! In fact, we think it’s one of the best-looking double-cab bakkies on the market right now. That’s a good thing, because the Navara needs to stand out from its more popular rivals such as the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger.
For this update, Nissan didn’t just focus on styling though. Perhaps most importantly, the Japanese firm has dropped a new (it’s actually the previous generation’s engine) 2.5-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel motor into the engine bay, revised the bakkie’s suspension- as well as its steering setups – and beefed up the safety specification, to name a few of the major changes. Is it enough for the Navara to remain relevant in this segment, however?
We spent some quality time (finally) with the range-topping Navara Pro-4X 4×4 to find out if it’s worthy of your attention. Let’s dive in…
How it performs in terms of…
Engine performance and economy
The Navara employs a new engine and retains its notable offroad ability.
The pre-facelift Navara’s twin-turbocharged 2.3-litre turbocharged diesel engine has been replaced by a larger-capacity (2.5-litre), but single turbocharged diesel mill, but you may be disappointed to know that it’s not more powerful than its predecessor. The peak outputs are still pegged at 140 kW and 450 Nm. Even so, the Navara is still an ever-willing performer on the road!
Hit the engine start-stop button and the Navara’s engine chugs away with a hearty diesel thrum that’s perhaps not as refined as you’d expect. There’s some initial turbo lag off the line (but that’s not uncommon) before the Navara lunges forward with intent. Acceleration to highway speed is adequate, but not as urgent as a Ranger or Hilux; it’s a trait that was highlighted in our Big Bakkie Drag Race earlier this year. Once up to speed, however, the engine noise diminishes as the bakkie settles into its stride; we found it easy to execute swift overtaking manoeuvres at highway speeds in the Navara.
The 7-speed automatic transmission seems well calibrated to the 2.5-litre mill, but it’s not as smooth-shifting as some of the Nissan’s rivals’ boxes. At times, the transitions between gears felt a bit jerky.
This Navara returned fairly average fuel consumption for a vehicle of its size and engine capacity. Nissan claims 8.1 L/100 km and our test yielded figures of between 9.7 L/100 km and 10.2 L/100 km.
As far as off-roading is concerned, the Navara remains very capable and has proven itself numerous times. Nissan has retained the familiar shift-on-the-fly dial that allows drivers to easily switch between 2H, 4H and 4L as required, as well as an electronic rear diff-lock, which can be engaged at the press of a button if the 2.5DDTi Pro-4X 4×4 Automatic needs to tackle more challenging off-road routes or courses. Ground clearance is claimed to be (a useful) 221 mm and the Navara has an increased payload of 1 003 kg and a maximum braked-trailer towing capacity of 3 500 kg.
Ride and handling
The Navara’s ride and handling ability is good, but not class-leading…
Although this particular test unit wandered a little on the road (it tended to track slightly to the left), the Navara delivered a very comfortable and forgiving ride quality over various road surfaces. Nissan has tweaked the 5-link coil-sprung rear suspension and retuned the shock absorbers to improve the bakkie’s ride characteristics and the Navara, which was fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels, performed admirably on tar and gravel. Most bakkies suffer from a “jiggly” ride when unladen; that trait is less apparent on this model, but, again, the suspension felt more settled after cargo had been loaded onto the load tray.
The Navara’s revised steering setup makes its electrically-assisted ‘wheel light to wield in the city, which aided manoeuvrability. Still, one could feel the bakkie’s heft through the tiller, which felt imprecise and dopey (it wasn’t very responsive). As we mentioned before, this particular Navara didn’t feel particularly sharp in the handling department, which could have been because of a number of reasons.
Interior execution and features
Nissan missed an opportunity to enhance the Navara’s cabin. It’s simply average…
The Navara’s interior execution is, in our opinion, the biggest disappointment of the revised package. Nissan has upgraded the cabin, but it’s missed an opportunity to improve the ambience appreciably. Hard, scratchy plastics are the order of the day and while the perceived build quality is good, one can’t help but feel like you are sitting in a workhorse derivative that costs half of what this bakkie does…
It’s not all bad though… the leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel does look and feel stylish. The 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system is intuitive to operate and covers the basics in terms of connectivity with Bluetooth, voice recognition and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. Navigation is also integrated into the system, for those who need it (most people use map apps these days).
The screen can also display a surround camera view of the Navara (which is made possible by the provision of 4 cameras at strategic positions), which is useful when you are unsighted while performing difficult off-roading manoeuvres or while you’re parking in a tight space (to see how close you are to obstacles that would otherwise be difficult to see).
Some of the key nice-to-have features offered in this range-topping Navara include leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, rain-sensing wipers and keyless access. However, heated seats and adaptive cruise control would have been welcome additions.
As far as the safety specification is concerned, the Navara comes well-equipped with 7 airbags, ABS with EBD, brake assist, electronic stability control with traction control and hill-descent control. Driver assistance features (incorporated in the Nissan Intelligent Mobility suite) includes forward-collision warning, emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning and rear cross-traffic alert.
Rear passenger space is average, but taller passengers might struggle to get comfortable.
In terms of practicality, there are 2 cupholders in the front of the cabin, bottle holders are availed in the door mouldings and storage for oddments are located ahead of the transmission lever and in the central storage bin. Rear occupant space is only average for vehicles in this segment; taller passengers might find rear legroom a little tight.
Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that the Navara’s load bay doesn’t feature a protective bin coating as standard, but Nissan’s Utili-track with 4 adjustable cleats are fitted – they’re useful for tying down cargo.
Price and after-sales support
The range-topping Nissan Navara 2.5DDTi Pro-4X 4×4 Automatic is priced from R749 000 and is sold with a 6-year/150 000 km warranty and a 6-year/90 000 km service plan.
Buy a used Nissan Navara on Cars.co.za
Verdict
The Navara looks great, but the package is let down by its middling interior execution.
This latest iteration of the Nissan Navara is undoubtedly better than its predecessor. It has a purposeful kerb presence and offers good overall performance, including for those who like to venture off-road.
The overall product, however, is let down by its piecemeal interior execution. There’s simply not enough of a sense of occasion when you step into this range-topping Navara! Still, many buyers are looking for solidity and value and the lesser derivatives in this range offer a better more of that, because Nissan’s bakkie comes with a comprehensive warranty and service plan, both of which cannot be ignored.
Does this Navara offer enough to warrant your consideration? We think Nissan could have done better, and here’s why…
Firstly, we don’t think the 2.5DDTi Pro-4X 4×4 Automatic represents enough value for money for buyers of high-end leisure double cabs. If you want outright bang-for-buck over all else, then the range-topping GWM P-Series LT 4×4, priced from R559 900, can’t be beaten. You could save almost R200k by opting for the flagship GWM P-Series over its Navara counterpart!
Secondly, even though the Navara is competitively priced against the equivalent Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux derivatives, we don’t think the overall purchase proposition is strong enough to meaningfully compete against those of the top-selling bakkies. We suspect that many buyers won’t mind financing an additional R30-50k to get the benefit of notably more power and torque either.
The double-cab bakkie market is rapidly changing and, next year, numerous all-new products will be coming to market, such as the new Isuzu D-Max, Ford Ranger and new Volkswagen Amarok. With all the movement in the market and despite the Navara now being locally built, we suspect that the Navara’s relevance in the leisure double-cab segment will fade further into obscurity as we head into 2022.
That’s not to say the Navara does not have its place in the broader market; more soberly specified derivatives of the bakkie are still worth a look – but then there’s that new D-Max lurking in the shadows…
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Fastest Double-Cab Bakkies in South Africa (2021)
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