Nissan Navara: The Desert Is Alive

2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 05:39

Nissan aligns the actual packhorse Navara towards comfort. The Japanese pickup still has strong genes for rough terrain thanks to its off-road characteristics.

With the new Navara, Nissan wants to crown its 80 years of experience in building pick-ups, at least for the time being. Above all, the driving characteristics of the Japanese, which is available from 26,470 euros on asphalt, as well as those off-road, have now been improved in the twelfth generation. This applies in particular to the versions with a double cab, which are now equipped with coil springs instead of the previous solution with leaf springs and a multi-link rear suspension that is 20 kilograms lighter, which, according to Product Manager Frederic Delmotte, gives Nissan a unique selling point in the segment.

When driving, this becomes noticeable with a significantly higher level of driving comfort. The pick-up also impresses with its good handling. This also applies to the King Cab variants (single cab). A leaf spring suspension is still used here. This has been fundamentally revised, which among other things has led to a weight saving of seven kilograms. Above all, however, because the wheelbase has been reduced by 5 centimeters to 3.15 meters, the car with a turning circle of 12.4 meters is easier to move in narrow city traffic. A clear plus in comfort.

Navara seats designed for ergonomics

This is also what the interior has to offer compared to the previous model. The instrument panel is clearer and the materials used appear more valuable. The ergonomic front seats are actually really good. Even the longer drive or the tour through wild terrain does not become a strain here. The space for the passengers on the back seat in the Double Cab is just enough so that there is no claustrophobia. The rear backrests can now also be adjusted a little further. And there is separate ventilation for the rear.

Even the entry-level version has a lot of things on board as standard that you would hardly expect in a commercial vehicle. CD radio with Bluetooth interface, heated seats in the front, electrically adjustable and heated mirrors, electrically operated windows, Cruise control, multifunction steering wheel are just as much part of the equipment as the electronic rear axle differential and seven airbags. The models with selectable all-wheel drive also always have an uphill and downhill aid on board. And this is standard on all Navara models except for the entry-level King Cab.

Nissan Navara off-road without any problems

Here you can easily switch from rear-wheel to four-wheel drive using a rotary control in the dashboard. In lock mode, the power of the motor is generally directed to both axes. A mechanical limited-slip differential can also be switched on in demanding terrain. With a fording depth of 60 centimeters and a ground clearance of 20.8 centimeters, the Navara is equipped to bring the driver and load (up to one ton / trailer load 3.5 tons) through difficult terrain. The length of the loading area of the Double Cab has been increased by 6.7 centimeters to just under 1.58 meters compared to its predecessor (King Cab 1.79 meters).

The smaller of the two 2.3-liter diesel engines with an output of 120 kW / 163 hp is sufficient to make powerful progress even when fully loaded. After all, the compression-ignition engine balances a torque of 403 Newton meters (Nm) at 1,500 revolutions on the axles. And the rear-wheel drive version manages with a standard consumption of 6.1 liters. According to Nissan, this is 0.2 liters less than the previously used Euro 5 engine. The start-stop system, which is always on board in combination with the six-speed gearshift, also helps to reduce consumption.

Mercedes X-Class is based on Nissan Navara

As a stronger alternative to the Double Cab, Nissan offers the diesel with 140 kW / 190 PS and 450 Nm at 1500 tours, which is also available with a seven-speed automatic (1650 euros) on request. Both engines have an SCR exhaust gas cleaning system as standard to reduce nitrogen emissions. The tank with 17 liters of AdBlue urea solution (filler neck on the other side of the diesel tank) should be sufficient for around 10,000 kilometers.

The fine-tuning in the aerodynamics of the pick-up is noticeable both in terms of fuel consumption and noise. In contrast to the previous model, the airflow no longer breaks between the driver's cab and the loading area. In addition, the bonnet received a special seal, spoilers on the front apron and on the tailgate optimize the air flow.

Incidentally, Mercedes is now also using the Japanese’s long experience in building pick-ups. The brand's first pick-up, the X-Class, will be launched at the end of 2017. (SP-X)