Locally tuned suspension, handling. Same Navara otherwise.
For 2018, the Nissan Navara has had its game upped to better more convincingly woo potential buyers away from mainstays from Toyota and Ford, their respective HiLux and Ranger taking the lion’s share of the ute market month after month.
Instead of only peppering the iterative year-on-year update with the usual raft of added kit and sharpened value, Nissan’s local arm approaches this problem with a more personal touch, extensively testing pick-up on home turf to have it better match the specific conditional needs of the Australian customers.
As a result, you won’t see flashy new alterations to its body, fancy wheels, or a tonne of tech that would usually make for headline material in an annual update. But Nissan are hoping that customers will appreciate the optimisations made just for the unique needs.
Much of the work of the Nissan Pickup experts team has surrounded revisions to the Navara’s dual-rate rear spring suspension system, which now incorporates dynamic rebound dampers that help reduce lateral body movement in laden situations, improving handling and stability. The steering has also been sharpened to make it more easily manoeuvrable in urban conditions while more accurately adjustable on rougher terrain.
In addition, new safety features are present to round off the Navara’s credentials. In the ST-X grade, standard kit now includes a 360-degree Around View Monitor system, more variants receive a rear view camera as standard, while satellite navigation is now available on the King Cab ST. Also, from June 2018, all Navara SL, ST, and ST-X models will receive a digital speedometer.
Under the bonnet, the tried and true 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel seems to have remained unchanged, exerting 140kW and 450Nm to either the rear or all wheels, depending on the selected driveline configuration, mated to either a 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic transmission. Towing capacity remains at a manufacturer published 3,500kg.
Single Cab
- DX 4x4 6MT Cab Chassis $31,990
- RX 4x2 6MT Cab Chassis $25,990
- RX 4x4 6MT Cab Chassis $32,990
- RX 4x4 7AT Cab Chassis $35,490
King Cab
- RX 4x2 6MT Cab Chassis $28,490
- RX 4x4 6MT Cab Chassis $35,490
- RX 4x4 6MT Pickup $37,290 (+$300)
- ST 4x4 6MT Pickup $43,990
- ST 4x4 7AT Pickup $46,490
- ST-X 4x4 6MT Pickup $49,990
- ST-X 4x4 7AT Pickup $52,490
Dual Cab
- RX 4x2 6MT Pickup $33,490 (+$500)
- RX 4x2 7AT Pickup $35,990 (+$500)
- ST 4x2 6MT Pickup $40,190 (+$200)
- ST 4x2 7AT Pickup $42,690 (+$200)
- ST-X 4x2 6MT Pickup $44,990
- ST-X 4x2 7AT Pickup $47,490
- RX 4x4 6MT Cab Chassis $38,490
- RX 4x4 7AT Cab Chassis $40,990
- RX 4x4 7AT Pickup $42,990 (+$500)
- SL 4x4 6MT Pickup $43,990
- SL 4x4 7AT Pickup $46,490
- ST 4x4 6MT Pickup $47,190 (+$200)
- ST 4x4 7AT Pickup $49,690(+$200)
- ST-X 4x4 6MT Pickup $51,990
- ST-X 4x4 7AT Pickup $54,490
For more on Nissan vehicles, check out our Showroom.
