First drive: Nissan’s updated Navara ute

Revamped workhorse aimed at regaining lost ground in ultra-competitive ute market.

The Navara was tested locally before launch. Pic: Supplied.

Little things mean a lot on the updated Nissan Navara.

There are only tiny changes for 2018, but they are focused on the most popular dual-cab models and make a significant difference to the way the ute drives and works.

The Navara goes from all right to pretty good, particularly if you plan to haul a load or tow a caravan. It’s still not going to threaten the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux for top spot in the pick-up punch-up but it gets stronger in the midfield.

The Navara needed an update to stay competitive. Pic: Supplied.

Nissan has resisted the temptation for a price rise on the headliner ST-X dual cabs, although they are still pricey from $55,987, and the eight models which do cop an increase — mostly the dual-cab RX and ST — are only $200-500 more expensive.

The mechanical tweaking for 2018 comes less than a year after a cosmetic tweak for the Navara and is focused on the suspension. Dual-rate springs are fitted, the rubber bump stops have been improved, and the gearing of the steering has been changed to make it less sensitive. It sits 25 millimetres higher at the back with no load and 40mm higher when packed to capacity.

The Navara does the hard work during the week and family duties on weekend. Pic: Supplied.

All utes get a rear-view camera, the ST-X picks up a 360-camera view, Satnav is now standard on the king-cab ST while all dual-models get Isoxfix child seat anchorages.

From June there is an updated digital dash with speedometer for the SL, ST and ST-X as well as tie-down hooks inside the tray.

There is extra sound proofing, too, on the firewall behind the dashboard.

The cabin is quieter thanks to added padding in the engine bay. Pic: Supplied.

Nissan says all of the updates were driven by customer feedback and come following extensive local testing that will see the local tweaks rolled out globally at the five factories that build the Navara for more than 130 countries.

“This shows how critically important Navara is. We see a product that’s fit for purpose,” says the managing director of Nissan Australia, Stephen Lester.

He is forecasting a showroom boost to 1500 deliveries a month, with the ST-X — which he describes as a multipurpose family car — leading the drive.

Nissan is forecasting 1500 sales a month. Pic: Supplied.

The importance of the Navara, and the Australian changes, is reflected in the presence of the global leader of light commercial vehicles for the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance, Ashwani Gupta, at the Australian press preview of the undated ute.

“This is a country of utes. Australia might not be the biggest in volume but it is the one setting the trends,” Gupta says.

ON THE ROAD

Until now, the Navara has driven more like a truck than a car. And that’s not good enough.

The changes don’t look like much, but they feel like a lot.

Nissan is out to prove the point, too, providing a range of evaluation utes with no load, a 650-kilo load, and a range of working-class trailers with everything from a bobcat to an outback camper-trailer.

The changes have improved the ride and steering. Pic: Supplied.

The basics are better in the steering feel and the compliance, with all the load layouts. The dual-rate rear springs are softer initially, which is good without a load and over small bumps, but go fully firm when required and prevent the crash-through at the back that has plagued the Navara with more than 200 kilos in the back.

It is also quieter in the cabin.

Off the road the Nissan feels more composed. Pic: Supplied.

OFF THE ROAD

There is no off-road climbing but plenty of forestry tracks and corrugated dirt roads where the old Navara would feel skittish and unbalanced with nervy steering.

Now it’s more composed and compliant, exactly what is needed for weekend camping trips or job sites.

VERDICT

Three and a half stars

Much more evolution than revolution, the Navara is still a worthwhile upgrade.

AT A GLANCE

PRICE From $47,176 drive-away (ST-X dual-cab 4x4)

WARRANTY/SERVICE 3 years/100,000km, $1832 for 3 years

SAFETY 5 stars, 7 airbags, 360-degree camera, hill-start assist, hill descent control

ENGINE 2.3-litre 4-cyl turbo diesel, 140kW/450Nm

THIRST 6.5L/100km to 7.0L/100km

SPARE Full-size

TOWING 3500kg