Nissan’s largest beast is coming into its third 12 months on sale, and it’s simply as robust because it was when it landed.

The Australia-only Warrior is constructed on the D23-generation Navara, which debuted in 2014 and obtained a more durable facelift in 2021. Which means it’s getting on in years, and it’s exhibiting its age.

On check right here is the range-topping Navara PRO-4X Warrior, modified by Melbourne-based Premcar. Our tester was fitted with an automated transmission, although you will get the identical automotive with a guide – unusual for contemporary higher-spec utes.

Modifications embrace beefy Cooper Discoverer all-terrain tyres, a winch-compatible bullbar with an built-in entrance mild bar, under-body armour, and an upgraded suspension setup with a 40mm elevate meaning you may go straight from the showroom ground to the paths.

The subsequent-generation Navara is reportedly due in Australia by early 2026, although there may very well be some final updates to the present mannequin coming within the new few months.

Earlier reviews recommend the following Navara may share a platform with the brand new Mitsubishi Triton, following different ute partnerships like Ford Ranger–Volkswagen Amarok and Mazda BT-50–Isuzu D-Max.

Is the present Navara PRO-4X Warrior nonetheless value a glance in 2024, or must you maintain out for the brand new model?

How a lot does the Nissan Navara price?

Our tester was the costliest Navara variant cash can purchase, and the one one to return in at greater than $70,000 earlier than on-road prices.

Single Cab

King Cab

Twin Cab

To see how the Nissan Navara stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability device.

What’s the Nissan Navara like on the within?

Given the 10-year previous Navara platform on which it’s primarily based, it’s not stunning the inside of the PRO-4X Warrior is wanting dated.

The principle factor you’ll discover is how utilitarian it’s in look. Practically each giant floor is plastered in arduous, scratchy plastic, which will definitely be sturdy as time with the automotive ticks by… however has aged the automotive alongside the extra luxurious new Ranger.

What doesn’t make sense is using gloss black plastic. Whereas it appears menial, we don’t like its inclusion in a automotive like this. It could look good when new, however should you’re going to be transferring issues out and in of the cabin frequently it’ll get scratched up very quickly.

You’ll discover it primarily across the chrome-accented conventional gear selector, however not less than there’s subsequent to no cause to be touching the realm too usually. Moreover the small button clean, the only change on the panel is the one for drive mode on the far left, which is troublesome to succeed in comfortably as the motive force.

There’s some extra gloss black surrounding the infotainment and local weather controls, although the buttons are made of lifeless plastic as key contact factors. Should you look carefully, you’ll additionally discover a faint metallic sparkle to the shiny bezel – good should you’re into that.

The remainder of the cabin is easy in its presentation. Onerous plastic will be discovered everywhere in the sprint, centre console, and door playing cards. Even the mechanical handbrake deal with is simply arduous plastic, however the traditionalist in me thinks it’s good to nonetheless have a bodily lever in a automotive just like the Navara.

The steering wheel buttons really feel sturdy and function with a stable motion, and whereas extra of that onerous plastic seems within the centre of the wheel it’s good to have that blacked-out Nissan badge with purple lettering in entrance of you. It, and the badges on the surface, nonetheless function the pre-2020 Nissan brand in case you missed having it round.

Plastic continues elsewhere too, together with the inside door handles. There’s an A-pillar seize deal with that can assist you climb into the entrance of the cabin too, although solely on the passenger facet.

Behind the wheel is an easy instrument cluster, which contains two giant analogue dials in your tachometer and speedometer flanking a central info display.

Whereas that display is way from the highest-resolution show you’ll discover on any instrument cluster, there’s a great deal of info introduced right here relying on which menu you’ve got chosen. These menus will be cycled by way of utilizing the buttons on the wheel.

The 2 giant dials additionally incorporate small temperature and gas degree gauges, and usually what you see is what you get. I just like the direct method right here; Nissan doesn’t attempt to cram in any pointless decorations or animations that might get in the way in which.

There’s additionally no guessing in the case of fidgeting with the motive force help tech or off-road mechanisms, as there are clear icons on that info display that let you know precisely what’s and isn’t in motion whenever you begin urgent buttons.

Fittingly, the seats are the nicest a part of the cabin by some margin. They function leather-accented upholstery with intricate purple, white, and black stitching and PRO-4X Warrior-specific embroidery, and so they’re comfy to take a seat in on longer drives.

Premcar says they’re meant to be “hard-wearing”, however that doesn’t imply you miss out on some nicer seating luxuries.

The motive force’s seat nonetheless consists of powered adjustment and lumbar help, alongside heating for each entrance seats through two chunky switches.

The identical white-stitched upholstery can also be used on the lid of the centre console storage field, which is sufficient in measurement. Different storage up entrance consists of the standard passenger-side glovebox, two giant central cupholders, and bottle holders within the door playing cards.

Nissan has additionally included two plastic pockets on both facet of the centre console, both of which is an ideal place to retailer the important thing fob or telephones whenever you’re on the highway.

The infotainment show is falling behind by right now’s requirements. It’s an 8.0-inch show as you’ll discover in the remainder of the Navara vary – disappointing because it’d be good to have a bigger display within the dearer variants.

Flanking it are eight buttons and two dials, that are all clearly labelled for the important thing infotainment features.

It’s a low-resolution in opposition to one thing like an Amarok, and it will probably really feel cluttered whenever you’re attempting to navigate utilizing touchscreen operate. All the pieces you want remains to be there, it will probably simply take a second to seek out particular menus or settings.

Sadly there’s no wi-fi smartphone mirroring, and also you’ll as a substitute have to convey a USB-A cable with you if you wish to hook up your telephone. You do not less than get the reliability of a hardwired connection, and we noticed no glitches with the system in our week with the automotive.

Elsewhere, you’re restricted for telephone charging choices. There’s no wi-fi charging pad up entrance, and whereas there’s a telephone storage cubby it’ll solely simply match a normal iPhone 12 – as long as you’ve taken its case off.

Different charging choices embrace that single USB-A port or the 12-volt outlet up entrance, or you may open up the centre console storage field to disclose extra USB-A, USB-C, and 12V retailers. You even nonetheless get an AUX plug for telephone audio, telling of the automotive’s age.

In line with the infotainment structure, there are clear buttons across the cabin for most of the automotive’s key features.

These embrace three central buttons for parking sensors, hill descent management, and differential lock, in addition to three to the proper of the steering wheel for driver help operate, traction management, and the Warrior-specific entrance mild bar.

There’s a big rotary change forward of the gear selector for 4WD drive modes, in addition to a discreet change to the proper of the wheel to open or shut the Warrior’s powered rolling tub cowl.

All of those features are clearly labelled and simple to seek out, which implies you received’t need to spend additional time attempting to know what all the things does should you’re ever in a pinch.

The 2 costliest customary Navara variants supply dual-zone local weather management, which is managed through the central interface under the infotainment show.

All the pieces right here is clearly labelled and simple to function, because it’s dominated by giant buttons surrounding a small LCD show. It’s dated in its structure, however I’d fortunately take a well-functioning older-looking system over any touchscreen-only setup.

It’s a small climb to get into the second row of the Navara, but it surely’s made simpler by facet steps operating the size of the cabin. You’ll be able to pull your self in utilizing the rear-facing seize handles on the B-pillars too, and it’s all made simpler by moderately sized rear doorways that reveal comfortably huge openings.

The second bench affords the identical stitching you rise up entrance, and so they’re comfy sufficient – though they’re a bit flat. There’s a great deal of headroom, legroom, and toe room, and I may sit comfortably behind my very own average-height driving place with room to spare.

Whereas the ground is generally flat, it’s interrupted by a small driveline hump but it surely isn’t giant sufficient to trigger any actual inconvenience. When the surprisingly huge center seat isn’t being sat on, you may fold down the central armrest to disclose two cupholders.

Different facilities within the rear embrace a singular USB-A port on the again of the centre console, subsequent to a notch that appears too small to be helpful for storing something; although you may in all probability put a telephone there should you actually wanted to. Above which are two air vents, and that’s about all there’s to maintain rear passengers comfy.

It’d be incorrect to go with out mentioning the bathtub out the again, which in our tester was fitted with some additional goodies that enhance the usual Warrior bundle.

As customary there’s the beefy black sports activities bar up high, in addition to giant devoted badging and an embossed Navara brand on the tailgate – to not point out the distinctive decals on the perimeters of the automotive.

In contrast to the usual Warrior, our tester featured an electrical rolling tub cowl made by Victorian-based firm HSP, which will be managed by the inside change, the important thing fob, or a management panel on the bathtub’s front-left nook.

It’s a pleasant bonus and improves safety in opposition to break-ins, and when it’s absolutely open a brilliant LED mild bar activates on the entrance of the bathtub. The one situation is the quilt mechanism and lightweight eat into area on the entrance, and it means you may’t entry the complete vertical capability beneath the sports activities bar.

You continue to get loads of area to hold issues round in right here although, which implies the Warrior has completed effectively to keep up the Navara’s practicality beneath the more durable pores and skin.

To see how the Nissan Navara stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability device.

What’s beneath the bonnet?

The Navara vary is powered by a pair of two.3-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engines mated to both guide or automated transmissions. Our tester was fitted with the twin-turbo possibility, mated to a seven-speed automated.

4-wheel drive variants have a part-time four-wheel drive system with low-range and an electronically locking rear differential.

To see how the Nissan Navara stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability device.

How does the Nissan Navara drive?

Should you thought the Warrior regarded large, wait till you get behind the wheel.

Anybody used to driving a passenger automotive may (understandably) really feel intimidated on the prospect of driving a automotive as tough-looking as this, however when you’re out and about you’ll discover it’s all surprisingly acquainted.

Moreover parking and navigating tighter areas, there are not any unusual emotions you wouldn’t count on from a ute like this.

Firing up the engine is completed through the button to the left of the wheel, which glows purple when the headlights are on. Simply be aware the engine received’t activate as quickly as you press the button, as a result of it’ll take a second to heat its glow plugs earlier than it fires up.

Slide the gear selector down and into drive to get transferring, however should you’re pulling out of a good area it’s value ensuring you’ve introduced your gymnasium tools.

The steering is heavy at low pace on account of these chunky all-terrain tyres, coupled with the very fact it doesn’t have any digital help beneath the pores and skin. It’s nonetheless a hydraulic power-steering system, which comes with compromises in on a regular basis driving.

That diesel powertrain brings with it a loud soundtrack, which is very noticeable on first startup and beneath arduous acceleration. It does quieten down as soon as issues heat up, and when you’re rolling you can begin to absorb the Warrior’s upgrades.

Past contributing to the heavy steering, the upgraded suspension {hardware} – that are customary on the non-Warrior PRO-4X – enable the automotive to higher deal with smaller imperfections like pace bumps.

It’s arduous to look previous the standard ute development although, as a result of it tends to clatter over bumps at greater pace whereas clearly relaying any imperfections instantly into the cabin.

That’s to not say it rides poorly, however it could be significantly improved by including weight to the bathtub like cargo. It’s already fairly a heavy car at almost 2.3 tonnes, however some additional weight on the rear would make it simpler for the upgraded suspension to compress as wanted, ironing out bumps.

One of many Warrior’s selection additions is the 40mm suspension elevate, and also you actually discover it whenever you’re out on the highway. It’s a commanding driving place behind the wheel, and you’re feeling like you’re effectively above many of the different automobiles on the highway.

Which means it’s simple to know precisely the place you’re inserting the automotive, and blind-spot monitoring helps to keep away from operating different individuals off the highway whenever you go for a lane change. Due to its measurement and your top above the highway, it’s arduous to not really feel such as you’re untouchable.

The excessive driving place is complemented by good visibility throughout, and it’s simple to do head checks due to the unobstructed rear facet home windows. Even visibility out the rear view mirror isn’t horrible, although it’s potential you’ll discover some glare on the rear window from the infotainment show at evening.

There are another tendencies to maintain a watch out for behind the wheel. The all-terrain tyres, whereas off-road prepared, are likely to create extra highway noise than you may be used to. It’s nowhere close to the roar of chunky mud-terrains, however it’s nonetheless noticeable.

Additional rubber between the automotive and the highway additionally means the automotive will generally observe cambers within the highway, requiring the motive force to carry the steering wheel at a slight angle to proceed on straight.

Put your foot into it from a standstill and the Navara takes off in a spritely method. That’s as a result of first and second gear are each comparatively brief, permitting the engine to rev up shortly when wanted.

Past that although, the Navara begins to lose its benefit because it climbs into the upper gears. It’s not essentially sluggish, however we’d prefer it to be faster than it’s.

With 140kW and 450Nm it’s down on one thing like a Ford Ranger Bi-Turbo (154kW, 500Nm) or a Toyota HiLux SR (150kW, 500Nm), and whereas that’s not large on paper it does make a distinction in the actual world.

You’ll discover how different automobiles begin to draw back whenever you climb previous 50km/h. You’ll additionally discover it making a good bit of noise with out really transferring away sooner whenever you put your foot down on the freeway, which once more suggests to us that it could profit from some form of energy enhance.

At the very least the transmission is a high quality unit, evidenced by its capability to easily shift when it ought to moderately than stumbling and second-guessing.

Its seven gears imply you’ve got loads of vary for low-RPM freeway cruising, although that didn’t assist us in getting near Nissan’s gas economic system declare.

We’ll caveat that by saying our week with the automotive was tormented by heavy visitors each on the freeway and in suburban areas, during which settings the Navara drinks a good bit extra gas than we’d need it to.

Our earlier critiques of the automotive share the identical sentiment, and we’ve seen Navara gas economic system figures above the 10L/100km mark. A few of that may very well be all the way down to the added weight of the tyres, bumpers, and beneath armour on the Warrior, which hasn’t been given its personal economic system declare by Nissan.

From a normal perspective, it’s a stable automotive to drive on the highway. It has fundamental driver help tech like non-adaptive cruise management, lane departure warning, and selectable lane-keep help, although the latter makes use of the automotive’s brakes to make corrections which will be unsettling.

It additionally has one specific on-road quirk in that it doesn’t have a footrest in your left foot. As most different automobiles have one I discovered myself trying to find one in useless, which can be a results of the clutch pedal’s location in manual-equipped fashions.

Other than that, the Warrior-specific upgrades are worthwhile. That distinctive bumper with its purple decrease portion not solely appears the half, however that LED bar it homes may be very good to have.

In regional areas at evening the usual high-beams do an distinctive job in lighting up the way in which forward, however flicking the change to activate the sunshine bar makes it prefer it’s virtually daytime forward. It’s reassuring to have the ability to see all the things forward with out having to undergo the trouble of an aftermarket job.

To see how the Nissan Navara stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability device.

What do you get?

There are six distinct grades of Navara, every with distinctive tools additions over the previous variant.

Navara SL tools highlights:

• 17-inch metal wheels
• Full-size spare metal wheel
• Automated halogen headlights
• Energy-adjustable facet mirrors
• Tailgate help (pickup solely)
• 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Bluetooth
• 7.0-inch digital journey pc with digital speedometer
• Vinyl flooring (single cab and twin cab solely)
• Carpet flooring (king cab solely)
• Fabric upholstery
• Outboard rear seat ISOFIX factors (twin cab solely)
• Trailer sway management
• Hill descent management (4×4 solely)
• Hill begin help

The SL Warrior provides the next:

• Winch-compatible hooped bullbar
• Built-in LED lightbar
• Branded underbody black bash plate
• 275/70 R17 Cooper Discoverer All Terrain AT3 tyres
• 40mm suspension elevate
• Tow bar
• 100kg GVM improve (3250kg)
• New springs, dampers and jounce bumpers
• Fender flares and tub liner
• All-weather ground mats

The ST provides the next on high of the bottom SL:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• LED headlights
• LED fog lights
• LED tail lights
• Automated high-beam
• Privateness glass
• Energy sliding rear window
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Heated facet mirrors
• Single tube sports activities bar in polished stainless-steel
• Drive mode selector (4×4 AT solely)
• Off-road monitor (4×4 solely)
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• DAB+ digital radio
• Leather-based-accented steering wheel
• Leather-based-accented shifter
• Carpet flooring
• Anti-dazzle rear-view mirror

The ST-X provides:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Full-size alloy spare wheel
• Double tube sportsbar in polished stainless-steel
• Sliding in-tray tie-down hooks
• Towbar
• Tub liner
• Proximity entry with push-button begin
• Twin-zone local weather management
• Tyre strain monitoring
• Carpet ground mats

The PRO-4X provides:

• 17-inch black alloy wheels
• All-terrain tyres
• Full-size metal spare wheel
• Black fender flares
• Black roof rails
• Black-painted facet mirrors, facet steps, grille and door handles
• Black stainless-steel double tube sports activities bar with sail panel
• Leather-based-accented upholstery
• Embroidered entrance seats with PRO-4X logos and red-accent stitching
• Heated entrance seats
• Energy-adjustable entrance seats with lumbar help

The flagship PRO-4X Warrior provides:

• Winch-compatible Nissan Real buillbar
• Entrance mild bar
• Purple bash plate and 3mm under-body plating
• 275/70 R17 Cooper Discoverer AT3 tyres
• Full-size alloy spare wheel and tyre
• 100kg GVM improve (3250kg)
• 40mm suspension elevate
• New springs, dampers and jounce bumpers
• Warrior-specifc fender flares
• Warrior decal pack
• Warrior headrest embroidery

Choices

There are additionally two non-obligatory packages obtainable on the time of buy.

Possibility Pack 1 ($1500):

• Leather-based-accented upholstery
• Heated entrance seats
• 8-way energy driver’s seat
• Electrical lumbar help

Possibility Pack 2 ($2500) add over Possibility Pack 1:

• Electrically tilting and sliding sunroof

Is the Nissan Navara protected?

The Navara had a five-star ANCAP security score primarily based on exams performed in 2015, although this has now expired.

That score was primarily based on a frontal offset rating of 14.01 out of 16, a facet affect rating of 16 out of 16, and pedestrian and whiplash safety scores of Marginal and Good, respectively.

All 2024 Nissan Navara fashions come customary with the next security tools:

• Seven airbags
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Ahead collision warning
• Driver consideration monitoring
• Reversing digital camera (pickup solely)

ST fashions and up add:

• Blind-spot monitoring and help
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Lane-keep help
• Lane departure warning
• Encompass-view digital camera
• Rear parking sensors

How a lot does the Nissan Navara price to run?

The 2024 Nissan Navara is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee like the broader Nissan vary.

Moreover, Nissan affords 5 years of roadside help with all new car purchases, alongside prolonged service intervals and repair costs for automated fashions which are marginally cheaper than manuals.

To see how the Nissan Navara stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability device.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Nissan Navara

It’s a tried-and-true beast of a ute, and remains to be value a glance should you’re looking for an upmarket off-roader.

In fact, it’s arduous to look previous its age. There’s no hiding the very fact the Navara is nearing the top of its life.

The inside tech is the naked minimal for a brand new automotive in 2024, and the addition of wi-fi smartphone mirroring would do wonders to increase its life.

It could be one thing that’s added in that rumoured replace, which may arrive someday later this 12 months.

Whereas its engine is confirmed at this level, it does lack energy. Given the multitude of powertrain choices obtainable in its competitors, we predict it’d be value seeing some extra configurations obtainable in future Navara fashions.

The PRO-4X Warrior is a snug automotive to drive on the highway, though it’s not approachable as some rivals due to its sluggish and heavy steering.

It’s an added bonus to have a automotive from a world producer modified by an Australian model, however there’s no hiding behind the very fact these tweaks include an added premium.

Even with that extra cash you continue to get a dated inside, which sadly does really feel miles behind the competitors.

Should you can’t spring for the high quality, you may go for the cheaper SL Warrior as a robust different. It does have fewer options as customary, but it surely’s value taking a look throughout the vary to see what works finest.

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