AT A GLANCE

LESS than two years after its launch, Nissan has responded to buyer feedback and revised the Navara’s suspension.

Updates to the Navara, launched in May 2015 with a “softer” and more SUV-like interior, include firmer settings for the five-link coilspring rear suspension for increased stability under load and when towing.

Prices have gone up $1000 on nine variants in the nearly 30-strong line-up. The only exterior change is the removal of the rear NP300 badge — it stood for the global nameplate, Nissan Pick-up, but only caused confusion for Aussies who knew it as Navara.

In the update, the sunroof is an option on the ST-X rather than standard and satnav is standard on STs. The RX dual-cab chassis gets automatic and manual gearboxes. Adding to the range, the SL with twin-turbo diesel and manual drivetrain gets steel wheels and vinyl floor coverings for $43,990 plus on-roads.

Nissan boss Richard Emery says the Navara ute goes neck and neck with the XTrail as the brand’s bestselling model in Australia, so concerns about deleting the previous diesel V6 have “gone away”. The six gave the previous model bragging rights as Australia’s most powerful tradie ute but NISSAN NAVARA PRICE From $25,990 (dualcab from $32,990) SAFETY 5 stars ENGINE 2.3-litre 4-cyl turbo diesel, 120kW/403Nm; 2.3litre 4-cyl twin-turbo diesel, 140kW/450Nm TRANSMISSION 6-speed man, 7-speed auto; RWD/4WD THIRST 6.3L-9.9L/100km Emery reckons the turbo fours meet “consumer expectations around driveability and efficiency”.