Rides, hauls no worries
Recently we spent a day testing out the new rear suspension upgrades to the Nissan Navara on Australian roads. Now we've tested it in New Zealand.
A smart blackout trim package includes the headlight and fog light surrounds, door handles, side step, grill and mirrors. Combined with 18” black wheels, new decals and bright orange highlights here and there, the ‘450 Twin Turbo’ package looks good.
Inside you get nice half-leather trim on the seats plus Apple and Android smartphone integration – a feature now expected on top trim utes. It also gets a 360 degree camera, heated front seats, satnav, privacy glass and the handy Utili-Track twin rail system in the tray.
Pricing for the 450 Twin Turbo trim package is $64,141 for the 4WD or $54,140 for the 2WD version.
The underlying ST-X on which the 450 Twin Turbo is based is otherwise the same ute as before, with a 2.3L turbodiesel 4-cyl with two-stage turbocharging and 7-speed automatic – still a great drivetrain with strong torque available from low revs and okay economy. Peak torque is still 450Nm, hence the ‘450’ name, and even though that figure is no longer top of the class it is more than adequate, delivering braked towing capacity of 3500kg.
Ride and handling have been a strength of the Navara since its 2015 NZ debut. General driving dynamics are good and it’s an effortless everyday drive. In 2018 major changes were made to the coil-sprung rear suspension to improve its towing performance. Overall it is a comfortable ride for the class and handles confidently.
The ute category is all-important in the sales wars and Navara sits in fifth place, taking 7% of the market in 2018 and the same YTD ending October. Even with a tart up it isn’t going to topple the Ranger anytime soon, but remains a solid performer for Nissan NZ.
