Nissan Navara Pro-4X 2024 model review
It's not as hardcore as the off-road-focused, Premcar-tuned Warrior, so what makes the regular Navara Pro-4X one of the best lifestyle cars in the field?
merit
- Powerful linear twin-turbo engine
- The ride quality is stable compared to its competitors
- Reasonable price and good value for money
- Comfortable front seats
- Suitable for living in town
- Spend frugally
Needs improvement
- Low-speed gear steering rack
- Rear seat space is limited
- New infotainment is needed
- Wired smartphone mirroring only
- Some basic cabin materials
- This is not an off-road warrior
When I was in high school, my parents had a 2007 Nissan Navara D40 ST-X with a 2.5-liter turbocharged diesel four-cylinder engine. They nicknamed the car the Yamato, the World War II-era Japan version of the battleship Bismarck.
Like the Japan battleship Yamato, our Navara had a poor turning radius, which was a big problem at the time, but at least in our eyes, it was a beast. In 2007, a 5296 mm long dual-cab pickup truck was impressive, but parking was a hassle, especially without a reversing camera.
It's the 2.5-liter engine of our D40 Navara that's the real highlight, though, and thanks to its vintage turbocharger lag, it's a fun experience to drive in the rain. Still, our family loved the car.
But how far has Navara come from the distant past to the present?
I got the keys to the 2024 Nissan Navara Pro-4X this week. While this dual-cab pickup shouldn't be mistaken for the flagship, Premcar-modified Pro-4X Warrior, the standard Pro-4X is the second-best option, at least in my opinion.
As of May 2024, Nissan has sold only 4020 Navara 4×4 pickups this year, accounting for just 4.6% of the segment.
While Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger dominated the streets and tracks of Australia, Navara still fought its way in the shadow of its rivals.
The next generation of Navara is on the horizon, so what's so special about the current Pro-4X version? Is the Navara still a strong competitor to the previous model?
The average Pro-4X may not be as capable of off-road as the all-around Pro-4X Warrior, but is it the best car for the average Australia lifestyle?
With its tough looks and strong power, is this Navara a modern version of the Yamato?
What are the features and price options of the Navara Pro-4X?
The Navara Pro-4X we tested was priced at AU$61,405 without on-road fees. However, the Pro-4X is currently priced at a very attractive price, opening at $59,990. Our prototype car can be painted with Stealth Grey ($700), but nothing extras.
Under the exterior of the Pro-4X, this dual cab features the following unique features:
- Blacked-out exterior elements, including a dark grille and roof rails
- Black 17-inch alloy wheels
- Yokohama all-terrain tires
- Rear glider in black livery
- Pro-4X body decals
- Pro-4X 压花皮革座椅内饰
Other standard features of the 2024 Navara include:
- 8.0-inch touchscreen
- Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- USB-A charging port
- Six-speaker sound system
- 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster
- Electrically adjustable driver's seat
- Leather upholstery and steering wheel
- 360-degree camera
- LED headlights and daytime running lights
- Part-time 4×4 system
- Towbar
- Off-road monitor
- Rear differential lock
- Downhill control
All in all, I think the Pro-4X-spec Navara is worth the money and is perfect as a more lifestyle-focused utility vehicle.
How does the Navara Pro-4X drive?
It was the first time I've driven the Navara in a long time and it felt very comfortable sitting in the driver's seat of the Pro-4X.
With the 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine kicking in, this pickup feels great for everyday driving on my city commute. Thanks to Nissan's use of a multi-link coil-spring rear suspension setup (which is rare in Australia pickup trucks), the Navara is undoubtedly one of the best pickups in town.
Sure, it's a bit stiff, but it's well controlled and surprisingly comfortable. Best of all, it doesn't have the dreaded leaf spring jitter that still plagues many modern utility vehicles.
I understand: ute is not a passenger car. They are first and foremost commercial vehicles, but the Navara makes a good impression of a large SUV, especially on the highway. It rides surprisingly smoothly and smoothly at 110 km/h, and Navara handles things steadily and with a certain level of confidence, even when encountering considerable bumps in the road.
Nissan has been using its 2.3-liter twin-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine since 2010. It is a Renault-Nissan engine with an output of 140kW/450Nm. While these outputs may not be amazing in 2024, keep in mind that these numbers are the same as Isuzu's 3.0-liter 4JJ3 engine.
However, the Nissan engine has a slightly earlier torque band start, at just 1500rpm. And thanks to the sequential, two-stage turbocharger, the power delivery of this engine certainly feels more linear and natural than Isuzu's less smooth 3.0-liter engine.
In town, Navara is very dynamic and barely makes any noise. The engine is surprisingly delicate and quiet, and it doesn't make much of a roar. At higher speeds, the 2.3-litre engine performs well – paired with Nissan's seven-speed torque converter automatic.
Pickup tribesmen in Australia might see Navara's output and laugh, but the truth is that I don't feel like it's underpowered.
The 2.3-litre small-displacement engine may not be comparable to the 184kW/600Nm turbocharged diesel V6 engine in the Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok engine compartments. But despite having 700cc less displacement, the Navara still performs pretty well.
A week before we tested the Navara Pro-4X, it happened to be experiencing a downpour in Sydney. When it was time to hit the road, the road conditions were not ideal, not suitable for driving on steep slopes and not for rushing into the deepest mud puddles. However, I bravely set foot on a forest trail in the north of Sydney, and most of the time, Navara completed the task.
With a well-tuned traction control system, good enough articulation, and the linear throttle response of the 2.3-liter engine, I began to wonder if I needed to spend more money for the Warrior.
Back on the road, the Nissan two-row model is also quite fuel-efficient. After 350 km, we managed to surpass the official 8.1L/100km combined fuel consumption figure, with an overall average of 7.6L/100km. Pretty good!
But the Navara wouldn't be called a Yamato (at least in my family's opinion) without some shortcomings in driving – the first of which is steering.
Navara's system is undoubtedly one of the slowest steering racks I've ever experienced, with the Toyota Land Cruiser 79 Series being the notable exception. With this kind of system, you really have to turn the steering wheel to get to your destination, which is very noticeable during the city commute.
It is also worth noting the lack of intervention in Avara's security system. While this car will eventually usher in a new generation, I do hope that the on-board active safety system will help more.
It's weird because I almost never say that!
What is the interior and technology of the Navara Pro-4X?
The interior of the Navara is indeed starting to look a little dated and dated. While most of the interior materials are pretty good, the old-fashioned buttons and switches aren't so good. The plastic on the doors is also a bit hard and rough, but in reality, this compartment is designed with longevity in mind, so I totally understand.
The front seats are very comfortable, and I love the Pro-4X embossing on the seat backs. The leather steering wheel also gives a premium, premium feel.
In front of the driver is a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster that displays a range of functions, most of which can be controlled via a convenient button on the steering wheel. What's great about these buttons is that they tell you what each button does, and not all car manufacturers offer this feature.
At the center of the interior is an 8.0-inch touchscreen that runs wired versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Unfortunately, no wireless features are available.
However, I found Android Auto to run smoothly and be responsive to steering wheel button input. Nissan's other infotainment systems are outdated, though, and really need to be updated (and obviously updates are coming!). But I guess it's good enough for the current situation.
In the cabin, buyers also get USB and AUX ports, two wide cup holders, a deep door case, a convenient sunglasses holder, and all the usual four-wheel drive features. This Pro-4X also comes with a locking rear differential as well as downhill control.
The rear seats are definitely more cramped. The second row can seat three adults, but I bet it's irritating and uncomfortable when traveling long distances.
As a result, Navara's rear seats are best suited for children. It's nice to see that vents, USB-A charging ports, and fairly sturdy foldable armrests are all standard. The sliding rear compartment windows are also motorized to provide better air circulation for all passengers.
In the innermost part you'll find the indispensable part of every pickup: the pallet. With a length of just over 1500 mm and a width of 1130 mm (between the wheel arches), the Nissan Navara is best characterized by flexible tie-down points that can be adjusted to the load you are carrying. The Pro-4X comes standard with a soft trunk lid, as well as a scratch-resistant tray lining.
Is the Navara Pro-4X a safe car?
As of early July 2024, the Nissan Navara has still not received a rating from Australia's automotive safety agency, ANCAP (although back in July 2015, it received a five-star rating using an older test method).
However, as standard, the Navara Pro-4X comes with the following safety features:
- Seven airbags
- Automatic emergency braking
- Reversing camera
- 360-degree camera
- Driver alerts
- Lane Departure Warning
- Lane intervention
- Blind spot warnings
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Tire pressure monitoring system
The operation of these systems rarely seems annoying, and even I'm not sure if they're turned on or not. I'm looking forward to the next generation of Nissan Navara with even more safety features.
What is the cost of ownership of the Navara Pro-4X?
Navara owners are required to pay AU$2975 to maintain their vehicles over a five-year period through a prepaid service plan. Service intervals are every 12 months or 20,000 km, whichever comes first.
All Nissan cars sold in Australia come with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty.
In terms of fuel efficiency, Nissan Australia claims that the combined fuel consumption of the Navara Pro-4X automatic transmission car is 8.1L/100km, but in our test of about 350km in a mixed driving environment, the overall combined fuel consumption reached 7.6L/100km, which exceeded this figure.
Honest review of Navara Pro-4X
The Nissan Navara may be a bit dated (the current generation was launched in Australia in 2015), but the Pro-4X proves to be one of the weaker models in the Australia dual-cab pickup market.
Equipped with a coil-spring rear, a surprisingly powerful 2.3-liter twin-turbo engine, and a rugged look, the Navara Pro-4X boasts decent ride quality, and I believe it's a lifestyle model with broad appeal in our market.
However, its outdated interior and infotainment system, as well as loose active safety features, make the Pro-4X a model that is definitely in need of a new generation.
However, the Navara is currently priced at a very attractive $59,990, which is more than $16,500 cheaper than the Ford Ranger Wildtrak 2.0-litre two-row pickup ($76,580). Even the Toyota Hilux Rogue (currently priced at $77,400) is quite expensive in comparison.
In 2024, Nissan may struggle to top the sales charts with its Navara pickup, but if it can retain the essential benefits of this pickup in the next generation model, then the Japan brand will succeed.
Old fashioned? That's right. Weak? Sure. Can a good deal be made in 2024? Absolutely.
If my parents were driving the Pro-4X today, they would definitely call it the "Yamato No. 2". This old car still retains some of the characteristics of a battleship. It's rugged, fierce-looking, and powerful enough under the hood.
Forget the 4WD skeptics – the Navara Pro-4X is a great car to keep an eye on.