2012 Nissan Navara Reviews

We turn the spotlight on the car world's newest and brightest stars as we ask the questions to which you want the answers. But there's only one question that really needs answering -- would you buy one?This is the penultimate Nissan Navara, one step below the ST-X 550 but with the same engine and transmission, a bit less kit but still generously equipped. It was recently refreshed in the face of a bunch of newcomers to the “one tonne” ute brigade. Still a cracking good workhorse.Many, top of the range Ranger, BT-50, Hilux, Rodeo, Dmax, but this is the only 3.0-litre V6 engine in the class.Twin cam, 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel good for 170kW and 550Nm from a low 1750rpm.Like a train. There's a seven speed automatic hooked up to the back of this strong engine with close ratios so it gets going really well, straight off idle pretty much everywhere. Near V8 petrol performance from this puppy.Sounds good too for a diesel, much better than a four or five pot. Superb roll on acceleration and the transmission kicks down willingly right into the fat torque band - whoosh.Expect about 10.0 litres/100km, Nissan quotes about 9.5 which seems achievable if you can resist the temptation to plant the right foot.Not really, what one tonner is?Misses out on the gold standard five star rating but gets a four star gong. Has six air bags and stability control, mustn’t get a good mark for other stuff like pedestrian safety, perhaps roll over though it does have a rear bar.Surprisingly so, not too firm even unladen, smooth engine, minimal noise, hum from the chunky tyres intrudes a tad, plenty of kit including a decent audio, Bluetooth phone, comfy seats (5), dual zone climate control power mirrors and decent cloth upholstery.Liked it a lot, would have one in a flash especially with that 3000kg towing capacity and that strong engine performance with acceptable economy.At the price it's good especially compared with other makes that aren't V6s and cost the same...Yes, even if we didn't need it as a tool of trade, having this much poke and load capacity at your disposal would be decidedly handy. Big tray for a dual cab too, totes a tonne in there.

In the pursuit of the ultimate workhorse, Nissan is treading where others have failed.Its high-output turbo diesel Navara 550 ST-X is the fastest production one tonner in its class.The hi-tech 3.0-litre V6 engine pumps out 170kW and 550Nm of torque, or 30kW and 100Nm more than the 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel version.But it is also 150kg heavier at a paunchy 2117kg. Offsetting this is the V6's seven-speed automatic transmission, two more ratios than the 2.5.It has a low first gear ratio to get it off the line, multiple middle ratios to keep it on the boil and a tall top gear. After a brief pause as the turbo spools up, step off is sharp, it pulls strongly in the middle range and lopes along on the open road with the engine ticking over at 1650rpm at 100km/h.Nissan claims the 550 will sprint to 100km/h in 7.5 seconds, which puts it clearly at the top of the segment. But in general use it doesn't feel that much quicker than the 2.5.The transmission is smooth and decisive enough but the calibrations have it holding on to gears longer than expected given the peak torque comes in at a low 1750rpm. This is presumably to help the transmission keep its cool when towing.It can be coaxed into shifting up earlier by using the sequential shift, but that tends to defeat the purpose of an automatic. On the flip side it is eager to shift down on trailing throttle.The engine is relatively quiet on idle but there is no doubt it's a diesel when moving. Fuel use on the combined cycle is 9.5l/100km compared with 9.0l/100km in the 2.5.The 550 ST-X costs $60,990 or $64,990 with a premium option pack. Apart from the engine and transmission, the additional features over the $50,990 2.5 ST-X include a hard tonneau cover linked to the central locking system, a black sports bar, fog lights, headlight washer, privacy glass, a tub liner and light, rear underseat storage, an engine immobiliser and 550 badges, mats and key ring.The premium pack adds satellite navigation, leather seats, a reversing camera, a DVD player, Bose audio and powered and heated front seats.Does it make sense to shell out the extra $10,000 over the 2.5 ST-X? Yes if you want the ultimate Navara. But if you want refinement as well as performance, then the 550 will leave you wanting.So, can the 550 succeed where others have fallen? Toyota tried it with the TRD HiLux and it failed to generate enough interest to guarantee its survival, but then that was a petrol engine. The benefits of a diesel may just be enough for Nissan -- time will tell.weeklytimesnow

Officially they're workhorses, but high-riding utes have never been more luxurious -- or expensive. Stick your head in the cabin of a premium 4x4 crew cab ute and chances are youll find all the fruit that goes with a luxury sedan or SUV. That said, the big and smooth V6 diesel engines that are popular in the swanky

You'd be a happy little Vegemite if you bought a new Nissan Navara ute seven years ago — because it is still pretty much the current model.And better still, there's another two or three years in the old dog yet. Mind you, Nissan has tweaked Navara considerably since it was launched last decade and it scrubs up pretty well.However, there are dark clouds on the horizon with four red-hot competitors fresh on the market or coming this year. They are the new Mazda BT50 and twin-under-the-skin Ford Ranger, new Holden Colorado and the new Isuzu D-Max.Toyota performed major surgery to the look and price of Hilux in the middle of last year. But the rock-solid Navara should have it covered especially given the latest 4x4 dual cab refresh.The price of the top-of-the-range ST-X 550 4x4, V6, turbodiesel with standard seven-speed auto drops a few thousand bucks to $62,990 and there's an additional, similar V6 ST-X at $56,990. But the 550 gets leather, Bose audio, satnav, a hard drive and a reversing camera.The four cylinder ST models (from $46,800) gain a more powerful turbodiesel and vehicle dynamic control is standard across the range along with three point seat belts for all passengers.Navara ST also gains 17-inch alloys, a five channel Utili-Track load system, dual zone climate control, optional five-speed auto and six air bags. Base RX Navara retains the older powertrains but gets additional safety kit.That  sweet V6 turbodiesel in ST-X is a 3.0-litre unit with 170kW/550Nm while the four pot in ST is a 2.5-litre with 140kW/450Nm.The V6 is only available with a seven-speed auto transmission offering "manual'' sequential change mode. The four is available with a six-speed manual or a five-speed auto again with sequential manual change mode.Doesn't get the coveted five star crash rating — it's a four star vehicle. Won't get five until the next generation with a totally new superstructure. However, Nissan has put in more air bags, three point belts and stability control to elevate Navara's rating to the highest it can achieve. A reverse camera is only on the top of the range model — should be on all of them.Despite its age, Navara scrubs up pretty well with a neat dash design and easy to use controls although it's all hard, dark grey plastic. The seats lack lumbar support and even the 550 only has electric seat adjust on the driver's side.There's plenty of room for five inside and access to the rear seats is fairly easy through decent size rear doors. The high end models additional kit is impressive especially the Bose audio and satnav. But the leather is superfluous. Plenty of storage options and no issues for larger occupants.We couldn't pick the difference but there is a new face, new bonnet, new bumper, repeater lights in the exterior mirrors on some models, sundry lights and new colours.We got to tow 2.0-tonnes behind the ST-X 550 and barely noticed. Maximum towing capacity is a whopping 3000kg. The 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine is a gem — smooth and nearly silent with excellent performance spoiled by the poor throttle action which gives it a dead feeling in the mid-range.The seven-speed auto is imperceptible when changing cogs. But for the money and for general application, the 2.5 four is pick of the bunch offering plenty of performance, strong throttle response and fuel economy of 8.5-litres/100km. Mention must be made of Navara's ride quality which is arguably the best in the class offering a supple ride but retaining the ability to cope with heavy loads. The dual cabs have a large tray and the square-set styling pays dividends of a practical nature.The Navara 550 was overpriced at launch 18 months ago and nobody wanted to know. Extremely favourable exchange rates will have helped Nissan with sharper pricing that may give the higher end Navara's a leg up for 2012 but we reckon the ST four pot is the one — it ticks most of the boxes and costs a lot less.