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.
Midway through its product life cycle the Nissan Navara has had a cosmetic makeover and some upgraded technology.
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.
Sitting Beef + Lamb NZ farmer director Scott Gower has been voted out by farmers.
The New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) says it will be working alongside the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and Animal and Plant Health New Zealand (APHANZ) as they attempt to improve access to veterinary medicines.
Federated Farmers says it welcomes a recent court decision which granted a stay on rules in the Southland Water and Land Plan until legislative changes can be made by government.
A holistic approach to sustainability sees Pukatea Dairy Farms take out the top award at this year's Canterbury Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
Registrations are now open for the highly anticipated South Island Dairy Event (SIDE) 2025, taking place April 7-9 in Timaru.
Scientists from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) are part of an international team working to develop a low-cost diagnostic tool that could significantly improve food crop production in developing countries.
OPINION: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon sometimes can't escape his own corporate instinct for evasion, and in what should have been…
OPINION: Shane 'Matua' Jones, crusader against all things woke, including "woke banks", couldn't have scripted it better when his NZ…