Nissan Navara 2011 Review

The Nissan Navara has been hit from all sides with new one-tonne ute arrivals such as the Ford Ranger, Mazda BT-50 and Volkswagen Amarok, but is still able to hold its ground. 

This writer has had access to a 4x4 ST-X crew cab for a few months and I've found it to be practical machine that shines in some areas and is out-shone by the competition in others. 

The test truck has an official price tag of $50,990, a hefty sum, but tough competition in this class means customers are likely to get a better deal. 

DESIGN

First of all, this Navara is massive with a huge amount of interior space. You can fold up the rear seats and fit a full-size mountain bike (with wheel removed) in the cab. 

Access to the rear is aided by doors that open wide and there are lots of storage holes around the cabin, including below the feet of the rear passengers.  

The interior is functional and neat, with all the controls in the right place, but is a little plain and out-dated. Its exterior styling is a strength and the Navara is still one of the best looking utes on the market. 

DRIVING 

The 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel is a strong engine and with 450Nm of torque (power is 140kW) it pulls up hills with little effort.  Its five-speed automatic doesn't even change gears going up a particularly steep hill that can flummox many a rival machine's engine and transmission. 

The combination has towed big loads, both in the tub and on a trailer and does so easily. The engine is loud in some situations, noisier than those in new rigs such as the Ranger and BT-50, but is super quiet when not working hard. 

It has consistently used a little more than 9 litres per 100km, which I reckon is pretty good for such a big beastie. The big Nissan is extremely capable off-road and comfortable on smooth roads, but an ageing chassis means it does wobble and jiggle in response to bumpy surfaces.

NISSAN NAVARA ST-X CREW CAB

Price: from $50,990
Warranty: 3-years/100,000km
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel, 140kW/450Nm
Weight: 1796-2860kg
Transmission: 5-speed manual or 5-speed auto, four-wheel drive
Thirst: 9.8-10.5l/100km, CO2 235-256g/km