Nissan Navara DX 2018 review: snapshot

EXPERT RATING
8.0

Likes

Specialist entry-level 4WD package
Looks brutish
Plenty of torque from diesel engine

Dislikes

Lacking in safety equipment
Old school in-car entertainment
Andrew Chesterton

Contributing Journalist

1 min read

The DX marks the cheapest way into a 4X4-equipped Nissan Navara, and can be had in single-cab guise only.  

The $31,990 DX features 15-inch steel wheels, cloth seats, auto headlights, manual air conditioning and cruise control. Expect a simple stereo set-up with a single CD player and Bluetooth audio streaming, but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto

It’s powered a 2.3-litre diesel engine equipped with a single turbocharger that will generate 120kW at 3750rpm and 403Nm at 1500rpm, and is paired exclusively with a six-speed manual driving all four wheels.

Beyond that, expect an airbag count of seven (two front, two front-side, two curtain and driver’s knee) as well as the usual suite of traction and braking aids including, ESP, ABS, and EBD.

Read the full 2018 Nissan Navara review

Nissan Navara 2018: Dx (4X4)

Engine Type Diesel Turbo 4, 2.3L
Fuel Type Diesel
Fuel Efficiency 6.6L/100km (combined)
Seating 2
Price From $23,650 - $29,150
Safety Rating

Pricing Guides

$25,311
Based on 282 cars listed for sale in the last 6 months.
LOWEST PRICE
$10,999
HIGHEST PRICE
$40,490
Andrew Chesterton

Contributing Journalist

CarsGuide contributing journalist Andrew Chesterton is an award-winning Australian automotive reporter with more than 20 years of experience across newspapers, magazines, digital publishing and automotive corporate communications. Andrew began his journalism career at Sydney’s The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph, reporting across business, courts, crime, property and state politics before moving into automotive journalism. He joined Top Gear Australia as its online editor in 2008, later being appointed editor of Top Gear New Zealand. He subsequently worked as an assistant editor during the Australian launch of the Daily Mail Australia, and as communications manager at FCA Australia, now Stellantis. His experience on both sides of the media industry gives him an unrivalled understanding of the automotive industry, and the relationship between car manufacturers, the media, and Australian consumers. Andrew’s work has appeared across leading automotive, news, business, luxury, travel and lifestyle publications, including CarsGuide, EV Central, DMARGE, The Sydney Morning Herald, Marie Claire, Top Gear, GQ Australia, The Australian, WISH Magazine, Boss Hunting, The West Australian, The Nightly, Women’s Day Australia, Carsales, NRMA, Men’s Health, CEO Magazine, Australian Financial Review and more.   Andrew specialises in industry news, vehicle reviews, policy,  performance and luxury cars, electric vehicles, automotive technology, EVs hybrid and plug-in hybrids, and the broader Australian new-car marketplace. In 2025, Andrew was named Newspress Australia News Journalist of the Year and was a finalist for the overall Journalist of the Year award. Earlier honours include Website of the Year wins at the Australian Magazine Awards and ACP Awards, the ACP Rising Star Award and recognition in the Bauer Media and News Ltd journalism awards. Expertise Electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles Performance, luxury and supercars New-car reviews and road testing Australian automotive industry and new-car sales Chinese automotive brands and emerging manufacturers Utes, SUVs and family vehicles Automotive technology Policy Awards 2025 Newspress Australia News Journalist of the Year Featured Publications CarsGuide EV Central DMARGE The Sydney Morning Herald Marie Claire Top Gear GQ Australia The Australian WISH Magazine Boss Hunting The West Australian The Nightly Women’s Day Australia Carsales NRMA Men’s Health CEO Magazine Australian Financial Review The Daily Telegraph The Sunday Telegraph Note: The author, Andrew Chesterton, is a co-owner of Smart As Media, a content agency and media distribution service with a number automotive brands among its clients. When producing content for CarsGuide, he does so in accordance with the CarsGuide Editorial Guidelines and Code of Ethics, and the views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
About Author
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication. Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.
Pricing Guide
$10,999
Lowest price, based on CarsGuide listings over the last 6 months.
For more information on
2018 Nissan Navara
See Pricing & Specs

Have you considered?

Foton Tunland
Foton Tunland
Mazda BT‑50
Mazda BT‑50
Kia Tasman
Kia Tasman
GWM Cannon
GWM Cannon
Ford Ranger
Ford Ranger
Nissan Navara
Nissan Navara
Isuzu D‑Max
Isuzu D‑Max
Mitsubishi Triton
Mitsubishi Triton
Toyota HiLux
Toyota HiLux
Check out more Utes
CarsGuide Logo

Rival reviews

Volkswagen Amarok V6 2017 Review
7.6/10

Comments