MOTORHUB MAGAZINE
N
nissan NAVARA
issan thinks it’s cracked the elusive car-like
pick-up formula with the new Navara. This
has been achieved, it says, by calling on 80
years of pick-up truck building knowhow and combining that with experience gained more recently creating
market-leading crossover SUVs like the Qashqai and
Juke.
Powered by Nissan’s 2.3-litre engine, developed specifically for commercial vehicles, the Nissan NP300
Navara is the most efficient and cleanest pickup, while
also boasting one of the highest power ratings in the
class at 188bhp.
There are two power ratings, five trim levels, two body
styles (king cab and double cab), and meaning that it
has a broad reach to all sectors. For the first time, a
chassis cab variant will also be offered.
The interior of the new Nissan NP300 Navara is
neutral but appeasing, with a mixture of black plastics
and chrome accents. It’s a very spacious and functional
cab, with all the buttons set out in an easy to follow
format.
Some say, the fabric seats of the lower specs are a lot
more comfortable than the leather seats, which are
very firm and harsh on the back. The seating position
is quite low, though, and combined with the high
bonnet means visibility isn’t the best. The back of the
king-cab features backwards-opening rear doors and
fold-down seats.
The base Visia spec is aimed at the fleets, and the modest feature list includes steering-wheel-mounted audio
controls, Bluetooth telephone integration, a USB port
and auxiliary socket for MP3 player, cruise control
and speed limiter (only on double-cabs), three 12-v
sockets, hill descent control and hill start assist.
Nissan’s 2.3-litre engine, developed specifically for
commercial vehicles, provides the power. There is
a smooth, though sometimes hesitant, seven-speed
automatic offered alongside the standard six-speed
manual transmission.
In terms of driving manners, the new double-cab
Nissan NP300 Navara performs far better than any
other vehicle that we’ve tested before. The unique coil
suspension offers far superior comfort and refinement
than any leaf spring set-up, dampening any inconsistences in the road and making it well-suited to the
lifestyle sector.
The king cab, however, still uses leafs, which means
the bumps and potholes are a lot more noticeable, and
means it’s a lot bouncier when unladen.
what others say…
“The pickup market is rapidly transforming, with more and
more trucks being used as a family vehicle. By making the
ride more comfortable, making the interior and exterior
more visually appealing and adding a host of safety and driver assist systems, the NP300 Navara is well positioned to meet
the new-age demands of the market. Now we just have to wait
for the rest of its competitors to reveal their hands.” – CAR
Magazine
“The 2015 Nissan Navara NP300 ST dual-cab automatic ute is
the sort of truck that caters to both work and play. It’s entirely
liveable as a daily driver despite its somewhat cumbersome
steering, and it also ticks the boxes as a weekend warrior for
the family.” – CarAdvice
“Combining its recently acquired crossover SUV expertise
and long-standing pick-up truck knowhow, Nissan has created a formidable product in the new Nissan Navara NP300.
Refinement, comfort and interior quality are genuinely ‘carlike’, while the handling and performance come close, but the
Navara hasn’t gone soft. Big payloads and towing capacities
plus low running costs will keep hard-nosed business users
happy.” - AutoExpress
12
ISSUE #3 Jan - Mar
car profile
Price
Engine Capacity
Cylinders
Drive Type
Fuel Capacity
Fuel Econ. (C&H)
Wadding Depth
Transmission
Seats
Wheels
Airbags
Body Style
Towing Capacity
Payload
From $22,900
2.3L
5-cy Turbo Diesel
4WD
80 L
9.9 L/100Km
800mm
7-Speed Auto
5
17 x 8.0” Steel
7
Pick Up Truck
3500 kg
930 - 989 kg