On The Road
Sharing its DNA with Nissan’s Pathfinder SUV means that the Navara also takes on the physical stature of its cousin – so there is more of it than your average pickup. Compared to Mitsubishi’s L200 it’s 220mm longer and 150mm wider; not an inconsiderable amount. If manoeuvring in tight spaces is your business, it is worth noting the increased size.
But it has to be said that in the real world this does little to detract from the Navara’s driving experience, which remains the most capable in its class. We’re still not sure what magic has been worked on the chassis, but the way it rides on the road means that traditional pickup signs of stress such as squealing tyres and fidgety rear wheels simply don’t occur.
That’s not to say it can’t be unsettled – every vehicle has its limits, but the Nissan’s are far up the scale. In the corners it remains well planted and doesn’t suffer when braking or steering corrections are made midway through a turn; simply ease off if required.
The steering may need plenty of arm-twirling in tight situations (which is to be expected), but it is also nicely weighted and direct when on the open road, allowing relaxed driving and reducing the vehicle’s size in the driver’s mind with its quick response.
Power delivery is a tale of two halves, with the first being of no great consequence – the Navara shifts off the line in a civilized if average manner. This is then replaced at 1,500rpm onwards by a progressive stream of torque as the turbo winds up, transforming it into a surprisingly rapid machine. Power is available all the way to the red line and even fully loaded there is plenty to work with.
Combined with a close-ratio (for a pickup) manual box that allows the driver to shift gears without worrying about missing the gate, this means brisk progress. At 172hp it is easily the most powerful in the class but that high output from a 2.5-litre diesel also makes it feel slightly stressed when punched towards the red line.
Off-road, the four-wheel-drive system proves more than capable – no matter what the incline. When the time comes to drop down to sea level, it crawls with minimum fuss, gripping hard for such a big vehicle. One criticism is that the brakes could be more progressive in difficult situations after constant use, but on the whole they cope well enough.
Cab Comfort
Our test vehicle came with the top-of-the-range Outlaw package that gives you everything you want in terms of equipment, plus a little bit more just in case. From a driver’s perspective the setup is bucket appointed thanks to a comfortable multi-functional seat with lumbar support and a clear instrument layout which includes buttons for cruise control and radio/CD mounted on the steering wheel. This is adjustable for rake and contributes to a positive driving position.
The clearly laid-out dash is dominated by a slab-like central console that houses the secondary controls and continues down over the transmission tunnel, separating the driver and passenger. This provides several storage trays as well as a covered box between the two seats; there’s also a glovebox and two door bins.
On the move there is a notable level of refinement you wouldn’t expect from such a vehicle if it feels insulated from the outside world no matter what the conditions or speed. Road roar remains a distant thrum while the only real intrusion comes from the engine, and only when pushed over 4,000rpm does it become noticeable.
The Navara’s sophistication is largely attributable to the way it is constructed. It really does feel bullet-proof – we have yet to find any squeaks or rattles, even when off-road tackling severe terrain.
