Introduction
Although the pickup market isn’t the biggest sector in terms of vehicles sold, it’s still a tough and competitive area. Nissan’s standing in the field is definitely improving but, like everyone else, it is playing catch up with Mitsubishi who was the forerunner in exploiting the ‘lifestyle’ phenomenon. So does the Outlaw have what it takes to make a dramatic impact in the pickup sector?
By aiming at traditional customers – farmers, domestic and countryside landscapers, emergency services, architects, vets, and just about everyone who needs 4x4 backup – as well as the luxury and leisure markets (as an alternative to the traditional company car with benefit-in-kind taxation benefits), Nissan has developed a trident-style sales approach.
Nissan has, in one form or another, been involved in the one-tonne pickup sector since 1986, promoting two and four wheel drive vehicles. The petrol 2.0-litre 2.5-tonne version lasted until 1993, while the diesel continued until 1998 before being replaced by the 2.5-litre version with a slightly heaver GVW.
In 1999 it introduced the ‘lifestyle’ Navara concept at the London Motor Show, with double cab and added extras like air conditioning, electric windows and alloy wheels alongside the standard 2.5-litre 102hp turbo-diesel engine.
The Outlaw arrived in all its glory at the 2001 CV Show at the NEC, and this was followed by upgraded engines last year, when Nissan introduced the powerful 2.5-litre turbo-diesel with the available rated horsepower improved by 28% compared with the outgoing model.
Maximum torque is increased by 24%, making it easily the most powerful pickup on the market, and Nissan claimed at the time that the extra horses meant fuel consumption was improved by 15%.
Product Profile
The Nissan pickup range has two basic models and two Navara specifications. The standard 4x2 has a single three-seater cab and runs on 15in steel wheels. The 4x4 also has a single cab as well as King and Double Cab options, and runs on 16in steel wheels.
Topping the range is the Navara Outlaw, a variation on the Double Cab with 17in alloys, the extra £750 for the Outlaw tag getting you roof rails, unique interior trim, body-coloured styling bar, body-coloured door handles and chrome tubular side steps.
The driveline features one engine for all the variants, the previously mentioned 2.5-litre direct-injection diesel, which produces 131hp peak power at 4,000rpm and 304Nm maximum torque with 2,000rpm.
Transmission is a five-speeder, with the 4x2 option getting 3.9:1 final drive as it doesn’t have a transfer box. All the 4x4 versions get 4.63:1 in high drive with a 2.02:1 reduction in low for the tricky off-road action. Finally, the Navara option includes four-sensor ABS as standard.
Kerbweights vary from 1,510kg for the 4x2 pickup with a 2,630kg GVW and 1,120kg payload, to 1,805kg for the Navara Double cab at 2,860kg GVW making 1,050kg net payload. It’s worth remembering that all these net measurements are without a driver or optional extras.
The 1.94m3 load space is accessed by a one-hand release tailgate. The GCW is where the Navara Outlaw shows a real benefit as it can haul a three-tonne braked trailer, ideal as a commercial vehicle or hauling the kids’ ponies from stable to showground and back again.
August’s Cap Monitor sees the Outlaw’s residual value competitive against the Ford Ranger XLT, but noticeably down compared with the Toyota Hilux VX pickup and Mitsubishi Warrior double cab.
Nissan’s warranty gives three-year/60,000 miles European-wide cover, with six-year anti-perforation and three-year paint warranty, with a rather outdated 6,000-mile service interval for 4x4 models.
Productivity
The 2.5-litre seems to be the industry standard for pickups but it’s only the Nissan product that stands out with extra horse-power here, which helped it to achieve 31.8mpg. Gold medal at the pumps goes to the Toyota Hilux, which recorded 33.1mpg. However the Outlaw out-guns both the Ford Ranger Super Cab and Mitsubishi L200.
In terms of on-board net payload, the Outlaw breaks the tax-friendly one-tonne barrier and is able to outdo the Hilux and L200 but in comparative tests it’s the Ford Ranger, which has a heavier kerbweight, that claims the price with its 1,135kg payload.
The stronger engine also wins in terms of average speed, as the driver of the Outlaw would be reading the paper and enjoying a coffee at the BP station in Sutton while the rest complete the CM Kent test route.
Test weather was very good, with clear skies and temperatures breaking 20oC and a slight southerly wind on our tails on the route back to Reed Towers. Only the M25 held us up en-route.
