SA Road Tests

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This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. I drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under real-world South African conditions. Most, but not all, the vehicles driven are world cars as well, so what you read here possibly applies to the models you get where you live.

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New beginnings: Nissan Navara 2.3D LE double-cab 4x4 a/t

Almost perfect

Pics by Nissan@Motorpress
Posted: 8 November 2017

The numbers
Price: R587 900
Engine: Nissan YS23DDT 2298 cc, four-cylinder, chain driven DOHC, 16-valve, twin-turbo diesel
Power: 140 kW at 3750 rpm
Torque: 450 Nm between 1500 and 2500 rpm
Zero to 100 km/h: (Autocar magazine): 10.8 seconds
Maximum speed: (Autocar magazine): 180 km/h
Real life fuel consumption: About 9.1 l/100 km
Diesel fuel requirement: Max. 50ppm sulphur
Tank: 80 litres
Tare: 1881 kg
Rated bin load: 961 kg
GVM: 2910 kg
GCM: 5910 kg
Maximum (braked) towing mass within GCM: 3500 kg
Turning circle: 12.4 metres
Ground clearance: 229 mm
Approach/departure/breakover angles: 33.0/27.9/25.2 degrees
Maximum wading depth: 600 mm
Warranty: 6 years/150 000 km
Service plan: 3 years/90 000 km at 15 000 km intervals



There are two ways of looking at the new Nissan Navara. You could dismiss it as girly because it has illuminated makeup mirrors on both sun visors and it rides comfortably over really harsh surfaces. It feels more like a city car than a rugged, 4x4 double-cab pickup. Ford and Isuzu come fairly close but Brand T, although much improved, still has a way to go…

Alternatively, you could say that Nissan has at last acknowledged that women like driving big, rugged 4x4 pickups too. And before die-hard traditionalists throw up their hands in horror at Nissan’s apparent abandonment of what is true and right, let us explain.

First, more buyers are turning to pickups for home and leisure use, so they demand greater comfort but still want to lug a ton occasionally.

Second, despite the comfort upgrade these short bin pickups still carry decent loads. Newly enlarged load bodies are rated to handle between 961 and 1002 kilograms, depending on transmission choice and trim level. All three share the same GVM and GCM ratings.

These introductory “new Navaras” are aimed at the weekend adventure and weekday family duty market but 4x2 dual cabs and others with single- or king cabs are on the way. Some will even have traditional leaf springs with simpler suspension arrangements at their back ends.

The present line-up consists of 4x4 double-cabs with Nissan-Renault’s fairly new 2.3-litre, commonrail dual-turbo diesel that develops 140 kW and 450 Nm. A lower powered version with one turbocharger puts out 120 kilowatts and 403 Newton metres of torque. You will see this engine next year, along with this suspension and 4x4 setup, in the Mercedes-Benz X-Class 220d. It will also be in some Renault Alaskans and other Nissans.

Our test rig was a top-of-range automatic in LE trim. That means you get reverse sensors in addition to the camera; dual zone air conditioning; push button starter; 18” wheels rather than 16” and the spare is alloy rather than steel; seatback pockets; second interior light; roof rails; indicator repeaters in the outside mirrors and Utili-Track tie-downs rather than conventional hooks in the bin. Automatic transmission includes hill start assist and descent control while opening the door to a dedicated option; warmed and ventilated leather seats with powered adjustments for the driver.

Standard across the range are cloth seats; lockable tailgate; side steps; independent, double wishbone suspension in front with quintuple links and coil springs at the rear; disc and drum brakes with ABS, BA, EBD, traction control, vehicle dynamic control and brake-operated limited-slip differential (BLSD). The traditional four-wheel drive setup includes a transfer box with dial-in 2WD/4Hi and 4Lo. There’s switchable diff-lock too. With all that kit to play with, our off-road course was merely a formality.

On-road performance feels “big and easy.” There’s plenty of power, it loafs along at about 2200 rpm at 120 km/h in seventh and the gearbox works almost intuitively. The only people who might perhaps feel two-percent cheated would be X Class-buyers expecting to find a 7G-Tronic underfoot. The Nissan box is almost, but not quite, there.

Other good stuff includes seven airbags; automatic, LED projector headlights; child-proof locks; baby chair anchors (not ISOFix because there are no top tethers); a back seat cushion that flips up to carry loads inside; powered cab window; six-speaker audio with the usual plugs and Bluetooth for phone and streaming; powered windows and mirrors; cruise control and a spoiler lip on the tailgate. It identifies the new model immediately.

Said tailgate opens down to about 82 cm to reveal a load bin that’s near-as-anything 1.5 metres squared and 474 mm deep. Rubberising is optional but a 12-volt socket and high-level brake light are standard. Tie-down options were explained earlier.

Getting into the back is easy because there are climb-in handles at all passenger doors (guess the driver just has to be athletic) and grab loops for when he or she drives enthusiastically. Head- and foot space rate as “satisfactory” while knee room is generous. There are three belts and three head restraints and the floor is almost flat so middle passengers can sit comfortably. Repeater vents in the rear of the central console help keep everyone comfortable.

Although the seatback is fixed, meaning no top tethers, lifting the squab reveals a couple of hidden compartments. The jack and tools are in one of them. Apart from that there are plenty of storage slots, pockets and boxes spread throughout the cabin.

The front office is well fitted with a storage bin under the armrest, cup holders, two more 12-volt sockets, touch-screen panel and straightforward ventilation controls. The conventional hand brake is properly placed for right-hand drive and the off-road controller is easy to use. Our only real gripe is that the touch screen is impossible to see in sunny weather; not that the driver should be looking anyway.

Summing up, we reckon this new Navara is one dam’ fine pickup and it would be pointless hanging on for Brand M’s certainly more expensive alternative.

Test unit from Nissan SA press fleet

We tried a 4x2 SE automatic about a year later

What We Do

This is a one-man show, which means that every car reviewed is given my personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.

Every test car goes through real world driving; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads as well.

I do my best to include relevant information like real life fuel economy or a close mathematical calculation, boot size or luggage space, whether the space is both usable and accessible, whether life-sized people can use the back seat (where that applies), basic specs of the vehicle and performance figures if they are published. In the case of clearly identified launch reports, fuel figures are of necessity the laboratory numbers provided with the release material.

If ever I place an article that doesn't cover most things, it's probably because I have dealt with a very similar vehicle already, so you will be able to find what you want in another report under the same manufacturer's heading in the menu on the left.

Hope you like what you see, because there are no commercial interests at work here. There are no advertisers and no “editorial policy” rules. I add bylines to acknowledge sponsored launch functions and the manufacturers or dealerships that provide the test vehicles.  And, as quite a few readers have found, I answer every serious enquiry from my home email address, with my phone numbers attached, so you can see I do actually exist.

Comments or questions?
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