... driving the Navara
THE Ni s s a n’ s r e worke d s u s p e n - sion ( aided by other tweaks to the bakkie’s structure) has undoubtedly resulted in an improved, more forgiving ride quality.
While traversing some of our Manzini streets the Navara’s suspension soaked up the myriad bumps and dips with admirable composure. Whereas many ladder- framebased vehicles shudder over washboard rutted sections, the Navara felt well- cont rolled. There i s some i rmness ( you’ll know when you drive over hard ridges), but the ride is particularly stable. Is this the market’s best- riding bakkie on mixed road surfaces?
Meanwhile, the bakkie’s steering is particularly light and requires some familiarisation. Bakkies usually have light steering con igurations ( to ensure they’re easy to manoeuvre in slow, off- road situations), but the Navara’s feels even l i ghter – although quite direct for a bakkie. The following statement may sound ludicrous, but t he Navara a r g uably has t he most sportscar- like chassis in the bakkie market!
Once out on the freeway, the Navara was particularly quiet inside, which demonstrates that Nissan has succeeded in its goal of reducing vibration and harshness in the right areas.
Are the insides up to standard? The Nissan’s interior design hasn’t had much of an update, but you do get more connectivity options in the form of 4 USB ports and a 12V power outlet. Android Auto and Apple Carplay can be accessed via a cable connection and displayed through the centre infotainment touchscreen. It’s not as fancy a screen or system as, say, in the Ranger or the updated Hilux, but it does the job.
The cabin is neat, the leather seats are particularly comfortable and LE derivatives sport a leather- trimmed steering wheel and transmission shifter. It would be nice, though, to have more soft- touch materials on the dash and door panels – that would lift the level of luxury appreciably.
The top- spec LE and PRO derivatives come equipped with numerous new safety features in the forms of forward- collision alert, automatic emergency braking, highbeam assist and rear cross‐ traf ic alert. PRO versions also feature a 360- degree camera system, navigation and rear privacy glass.
What’s more, the Navara’s load tub has increased in size and now holds a further 100 kg ( up to 1 003kg for the LE and PRO double- cab 4×4 automatic). The 4×2 automatics can hold 1 086kg. The towing capacities equal those of the Nissan’s rivals ( 750kg unbraked and 3 500kg braked).
Nissan Navara pricing and aftersales Nissan’s new South African- built Navara is available from R311 000 ( for the entry- level single- cab derivative) up to R740 000 for the top- spec Double Cab Pro 4×4. It is sold with a 6- year/ 150 000km warranty and a 6- year/ 90 000km service plan.