AT A GLANCE
NISSAN NAVARA PRO-4X WARRIOR PRICE From about $78,000 drive-away
WARRANTY/SERVICING 5 yrs/unlimited km, $2847 for 5 yrs/100,000km
SAFETY Seven airbags, blind-spot and lanekeep assist, auto emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert
ENGINE 2.3-litre twin-turbo four-cylinder, 140kW/450Nm
THIRST 8.1L/100km
SPARE Full size
TOWING 3500kg (auto)
2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo in the NX350, which costs about $87,500 and is only available in all-wheel drive. The all-wheel drive NX450h + PHEV costs about $100,000.
The NX has decent rear seat space and terrific front seats, although the panoramic sunroof eats into headroom.
The NX250 is light-on for grunt. Its 2.5-litre petrol engine needs prodding, at which point it’s perky but vocal.
The NX350 adds muscle at lower revs, pulling strongly and cleanly and working nicely with the eight-speed auto.
In the NX350h the CVT transmissions feeds a combination of electric and petrol propulsion, occasionally shutting down the engine to help with the claimed fuel use of 5.0 litres per 100km. A single electric motor ensures useful pull while extending the scope of the 2.5-litre. An additional e-motor drives the rear wheels in allwheel drive models, bringing more torque, (391Nm versus 270Nm) which is noticeable in gentle driving.
At the top of the range the plug-in NX450h+ F Sport provides short-range EV running and the backup of a petrol engine.
Claimed EV range is 87km but ours started with a full charge and a 61km estimate.
Most owners will likely rarely experience maximum power because you need to activate hybrid mode, which consumes many multiples of the official 1.3L/100km fuel figure.
EV mode makes most sense, limiting it to a 134kW/270Nm motor powering the front
From about $73,500 drive-away 5 yrs/ unlimited km, $1485 for 3 yrs or 45,000km
10 airbags, auto emergency braking, lane-keep and blind-spot assist, intersection-turn and safe-exit assist 5.0L/100km
Run-flat tyres 2.5-litre 4-cyl hybrid, 179kW and 270Nm 520 litres wheels and a 40kW/121Nm unit for the rears.
Whereas some PHEVs require you to feather the throttle to stay on electric power, the NX’s EV mode allows you to make the most of the 18.1kWh battery.
Wake the 2.5-litre petrol engine and the forward surge is more determined.
On the road, the NX isn’t as sharp as a BMW, as dull steering takes the edge off responses. It settles swiftly from mid-corner imperfections and reassures with its poise.
Runflat tyres combine with firm suspension to deliver sure-footed cornering at the expense of low-speed ride comfort. The comfort levels improve as speed increases.
Exemplary quality and a reputation for going the distance are front and centre with the NX, which is vastly improved over the original.