Review: Nissan NP300 Navara Cab Chassis (2015-on)

Nissan NP300 Series I Navara cab chassis (2015-16)

Overview

Released in Australia in November 2015, the Nissan NP300 Navara cab chassis range consisted of single, king and dual cab bodies. Manufactured in Samut Prakan, Thailand, the Nissan NP300 Navara cab chassis was powered by 2.5-litre petrol and 2.3-litre turbo diesel engines. As per the table below, the Navara range consisted of DX and RX variants.

Engines: QR25DE, YS23DDT and YS23DDTT

The 2.5-litre QR25DE petrol engine had an aluminium block and cylinder head, double overhead camshafts, variable valve timing, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 10.0:1.

The 2.3-litre YS23DDT diesel engine had a cast iron block, an aluminium cylinder head, a single turbocharger, intercooler, double overhead camshafts (chain-driven), four valves per cylinder, common-rail injection and a compression ratio of 15.4:1.

Dimensions and suspension

With its boxed ladder frame chassis, the Nissan NP300 Navara cab chassis was 5120 mm long, 1790 mm wide and had a 3150 mm long wheelbase.

The Nissan NP300 Navara had independent, double wishbone front suspension with a stabiliser bar. While Navara single and king cabs had leaf-spring rear suspension, the dual cab had five-link rear suspension in which trailing arms were affixed to the rear axle and rear dampers were mounted independently of the multi-rate coil springs.

4×4 system

The dual range four-wheel drive (4×4) system for the Nissan NP300 Navara included a ‘shift-on-the-fly’ function that enabled the driver to switch between 2WD and 4WD (4H mode) at speeds of up to 100 km/h by turning a dial. Standard across the 4WD Navara range, Active Brake Limited Slip (ABLS) enhanced traction by applying the brakes to wheels without grip to prevent them from spinning and to direct their torque to the wheels with grip.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Nissan NP300 Navara cab chassis included dual front airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , a left-hand drive 2015 Nissan NP300 Navara dual cab received a four star safety rating which included a 79 per cent adult occupant protection rating and a 78 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the frontal offset test, protection of the driver’s head, thighs, lower right leg and feet were rated as good, but lower left leg protection was rated as adequate (i.e. a slight risk of serious injury) and chest protection as marginal (a moderate risk of serious injury). Maximum points were awarded in the side impact test; in the more severe pole test, however, chest protection was rated as adequate.

Features: Navara DX and RX

Standard features for the Nissan Navara DX included 15-inch steel wheels with 195/R15C tyres, a four speaker 2-DIN audio system with a CD player and auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB), Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming, air conditioning, a six-way adjustable driver’s seat, cloth seat trim, cruise control, daytime running lights, automatic headlights, a tilt adjustable steering column, power mirrors and windows, three 12 volt power sockets, vinyl floor coverings, a lockable fuel lid and an immobiliser.

Relative to the King cabs, dual cab Navaras were further equipped with a six speaker sound system, rear seat assist grips and mud guards.

Compared to the DX, the Navara RX was further equipped with 16-inch steel wheels with 205/R16C tyres, remote central locking, illuminated vanity mirrors, rear privacy glass, a power sliding rear window, rear window demister, carpeted floors, an electromagnetic lockable fuel lid, 12 volt power socket in the cargo bed and an alarm system. Visual cues for the Navara RX included chrome door handles (interior and exterior) and chrome door mirrors.

Specifications

• Specifications: Nissan NP300 Navara Single Cab (November 2015)
• Specifications: Nissan NP300 Navara King Cab (November 2015)
• Specifications: Nissan NP300 Navara Dual Cab (November 2015)

Nissan NP300 Series II Navara cab chassis (2016-on)

Overview

Released in Australia in November 2016, the Nissan NP300 Series 2 Navara cab chassis introduced an expanded range as Navara RX Dual Cab 4×4 models were offered with an automatic transmission.

While the Nissan Series 2 Navara utility (or ‘pick-up’) was fitted with new suspension components that were designed to improve ride and handling, these changes did not extend to the cab chassis models.

Features: Nissan NP300 Series 2 Navara cab chassis

For all Nissan Series 2 Navara dual cabs, the floor-level fold-out cup holders for rear passengers were discontinued. Furthermore, the Navara RX single cab and dual cab (but not king cab) were fitted with a vinyl floor in place of the previous carpets.

Features: NP300 Series 3 Navara cab chassis

The Nissan NP300 Series 3 Navara was released in Australia in February 2018. While the NP300 Series 3 Navara dual cab utilities were fitted with ‘dual-rate’ rear suspension and changes were made to the steering ratio, these changes were not shared with the NP300 Series 3 Navara cab chassis. Instead, changes for the NP300 Series 3 Navara cab chassis were limited to the fitment of two ISOFIX child seat mounting points for dual cab models.

Related links

• Nissan Australia: Nissan NP300 Navara
• Nissan Global: The All New Nissan NP 300 Navara
• Wikipedia.org: Nissan D23/NP300 Navara