Ute aimed at farmers

The plain-Jane steel wheels are the first visual cue of the RX’s intent; gone are the big alloys you see on fancier versions of the Navara. The second cue is the impressive flat-bed tray.

And the price will be the clincher for many: $46,490 for the Kingcab cab-and-chassis – tray will be extra. That’s about $10,000 less than the STX-450 double cab with all the fruit intact.

The stripper RX gets a less powerful version of the 2.5L turbodiesel, but there’s no shortage of poke with 126kW @ 4000rpm and 403Nm of torque @ 2000 (the STX-450 makes 140kW and 450Nm) hooked up to a smooth 5-speed automatic. 

Rural News drove the RX laden and unladen and, as expected, it went about its work effortlessly. It is perhaps marginally less refined than with the 450 engine, but you’re talking small degrees of difference.

The level of specification is also lower than the STX. Again, you’d be hard pressed to find something to whinge about in this area: air conditioning, power windows and mirrors, central locking, cruise control, ABS, ESP, LSD, a decent stereo are all included. 

Would you really miss things like Bluetooth, MP3 connectivity, leather gear knob and a dangerously loud sound system?

If anything, it’s almost too well kitted-out for a working clothes ute. You couldn’t hose out the cabin in this truck – you’d ruin the nice cloth upholstery. 

It is a strong and willing worker though and will tow 3000kg braked, 750kg unbraked and can carry 814kg. The RX comes with the usual Nissan 3-year, 100,000km warranty with roadside assistance.

The Navara has always been reasonably civilised on the road and, with the right tyres, capable off road and this remains the case with the RX, despite having been around for a few years.

The RX makes a good value proposition, blessed with the best of the Navara frame but ditching a few of the less vital organs to moderate the price. It is a stripper with a bit of class.