Nissan Navara dual cab ute review: New tech and looks for Japanese workhorse

This work ute has struggled to challenge the market leaders in recent years, but a new look and several tech upgrades could turn the tide.

Nissan’s Navara ST-X is handsome to look at and loaded with tech.

The frequently updated Nissan Navara shows how important dual-cab utes have become.

Originally launched as the “NP300” back in 2015, Nissan’s popular ute benefits from its fifth update.

This year’s models have a new look anchored by a fresh grille, bonnet, headlamps and bumper at the front end. There are also tweaks to the wheel arches, rear bumper and brake lights.

Nissan has upgraded its Navara for the fifth time since 2015.

Essentially mechanically identical to last year’s Navara, the new-look version has an updated cabin with a new steering wheel, infotainment system and dashboard, plus driver aids that bring it closer to segment leaders.

Nissan dropped less profitable bare-bones models usually found on rental fleets, but there are still more than 20 variants in the Navara family split across three body styles — single cab, king cab and four-door dual cab.

The entry-level Navara SL priced from $49,490 drive-away in dual-cab automatic form comes with seven airbags as standard, as well as driver aids such as auto emergency braking, forward collision warning and driver attention alert. The basic car also has a reversing camera, hill descent control and an 8-inch infotainment screen that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

New looks give the Navara street appeal.

Navara SL models have a single-turbo 2.3-litre turbo diesel engine with 120kW and 403Nm, but higher grade variants get a twin-turbo engine with 140kW and 450Nm.

Mid-grade Navara ST variants priced $3000 upstream add the more powerful engine and off-road driving modes, a 360-degree camera with moving object detection designed to help prevent drivers from running over kids or pets, plus blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and lane departure warning.

Pitched toward private buyers, the high-grade Navara ST-X has 18-inch alloys, a chrome sports bar, plastic tub liner and clever hooks for the cargo area. Satnav and smart keys are also nice to have, while a sunroof and heated leather seats with eight-way driver adjustment add $2000 to the bill.

All-wheel drive versions are rugged off-road performers.

A new Navara PRO-4X model replaces the Navara N-Trek in the range.

Focusing on cosmetic enhancements, the PRO-4X follows the trend for tough-looking models such as the Ford Ranger Wildtrak and Toyota HiLux Rugged X with black treatments for the sports bar, roof rails and fender flares, plus dark treatments for the door handles, side steps and grille.

You also get 17-inch wheels with Yokohama all-terrain tyres that should be a better bet off-road than the standard rubber. That’s not a bad deal for $2360 more than the Navara ST-X.

Impressively, every model in the range has a maximum payload of at least 1000 kilograms, which isn’t always the case in this segment.

A new infotainment and dashboard highlight the interior changes.

A successor to the Navara Warrior is likely to build on its appeal with chunkier tyres, exterior graphics and beefed-up suspension.

Nissan hasn’t officially announced that a second-gen Warrior is on the way, but its sold-out status and halo effect on the rest of the range should mean a new model isn’t far away.

We had a brief drive of the Navara in high-grade ST-X trim.

The limited test in Victoria showed there is little change to the driving experience between 2020 and 2021 Navara models — Nissan has already improved the suspension set-up as a result of local tuning programs.

It remains one of the more comfortable choices in the segment, particularly with a light-to-medium load in the tray.

The Navara can tow 3500kg and has a more than one-tonne payload.

The sporty new steering wheel is a winner, as you’re less likely to honk the horn accidentally — a frequent occurrence in the old model. A new infotainment screen looks dated until you plug your phone in, and the choice of USB-A or USB-C power is nice to see.

The addition of auto emergency braking and other driver aids should help secure commercial and private sales. The next item on the job sheet might be a tweak to its engine, which feels less than punchy compared to the updated Toyota HiLux, 10-speed Ford Ranger and VW Amarok V6.

VERDICT 3.5/5

Handsome to look at and loaded with tech, the new Nissan Navara brings important updates without resetting the category benchmark.

NISSAN NAVARA ST-X DUAL-CAB AUTO VITALS

Price: From $60,790 drive-away

Engine: 2.3-litre 4-cyl twin-turbo diesel, 140kW/450Nm

Warranty/servicing: 5 years/unlimited km, about $2900 for 5 years

Safety: 5 stars, 7 airbags, auto emergency braking, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert

Thirst: 7.8L/100km (auto)

Cargo: 1024kg payload, 3.5 tonne towing

Spare: Full size

Originally published as Nissan Navara dual cab ute review: New tech and looks for Japanese workhorse