Review: Nissan NP300 Navara Utility (2015-on)

Nissan NP300 Series I Navara Utility (2015-16)

Overview

Released in Australia in May 2015, the Nissan NP300 Navara utility was initially offered with a dual cab body, with king cabs following later in 2015. Manufactured in Samut Prakan, Thailand, the Nissan NP300 Navara utility 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, RX, ST and ST-X 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 and YS23DDTT diesel engines had single and twin turbochargers, respectively. Other attributes of the YS engines included a cast iron block, an aluminium cylinder head, common-rail injection, an intercooler, double overhead camshafts (chain-driven), four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 15.4:1.

Body and dimensions

With its boxed ladder frame chassis, the Nissan NP300 Navara utility was 5255 mm long, 1790 mm wide (1850 mm for the Navara ST and ST-X) and had a 3150 mm long wheelbase. While the King Cab’s cargo bed was 1788 mm long by 1560 mm wide and 474 mm deep, the Dual Cab’s was 285 mm shorter at 1503 mm.

For diesel-powered models, maximum braked towing capacity was 3500 kg; maximum payload for the NP300 Navara ranged from 880 kg to 1112 kg.

Suspension

The Nissan NP300 Navara had independent, double wishbone front suspension with a stabiliser bar. While Navara king cabs had leaf-spring rear suspension, the dual cab utility 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 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.

The 4×4 Navara ST and ST-X were also fitted with a rear differential lock, while the Navara ST-X also featured Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Nissan NP300 Navara utility 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, flip-up rear seats, 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, mud guards and tie-down hooks in the cargo bed.

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.

Features: Navara ST and ST-X

Relative to the RX, the Nissan Navara ST added 16-inch alloy wheels with 255/70 R16 tyres, NissanConnect smartphone integration, five-inch colour audio display, LED projector headlights, LED daytime running lights, front fog lights, reversing camera, leather accented steering wheel and gearshift lever, heated door mirrors, an electrochromatic rear view mirror and a trip computer (‘Advanced Drive-Assist Display’). Visually, the Navara ST and ST-X could be identified by their side steps and alloy sports bars with integrated brake lights.

The range-topping Nissan Navara ST-X was distinguished by its 18-inch alloy wheels with 255/60 R18 tyres, satellite navigation with a seven-inch colour touch screen, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, leather accented seat trim, heated front seats, rear parking sensors, proximity key for keyless entry, front seatback pockets, power folding door mirrors with integrated LED indicators, push-button start, an illuminated ignition switch, rear interior lights, floor mats, roof rails, power-operated sunroof.

The Navara ST-X’s cargo bay also featured a tub liner and Nissan’s ‘Utili-Track’ system which consisted of two channels and four forged aluminium cleats that could be used to secure items in the cargo bay. Visual cues for the ST-X are limited to door mirrors with integrated LED indicators.

2016 Nissan NP300 Navara Dual Cab ST 4×4 N-Sport Special Edition Black and Silver

The Nissan NP300 Navara Dual Cab ST 4×4 N-Sport Special Edition Black and Silver was released in July 2016. Compared to the standard Navara ST, the Navara ST N-Sport Special Edition could be identified by its unique 18-inch alloy wheels, black honeycomb grille with ‘smokey chrome’ accent, ‘smokey chrome’ fog lamp finishers, sports front skirt, black sports bar, ‘gun metallic’ side steps and rear bumper.

Inside, the Navara Dual Cab ST 4×4 N-Sport Special Edition Black and Silver featured a seven-inch touch screen with satellite navigation, and contrasting black/grey leather-accented seat trim.

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 2 Navara utility (2016-18)

Overview

Released in Australia in November 2016, the Nissan NP300 Series 2 Navara utility introduced new Navara SL Dual Cab 4×4 models and suspension changes for dual cab bodies. As a result of local testing, the Series 2 Navara dual cab was fitted with new front and rear shock absorbers, rear coil springs and rebound dampers. According to Nissan, these changes produced ‘a more refined ride and handling, with improved lateral stability as well as enhanced handling when carrying loads.’

Features: Nissan NP300 Series 2 Navara

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

The newly introduced Navara SL Dual Cab 4×4 models were based on the existing ST variant, but fitted with 16 x 7-inch steel wheels, 255/70 R16 tyres and had a vinyl floor interior. As such, the Navara SL was targeted at fleet customers and tradesman.

For the Nissan Series 2 Navara ST dual cab, satellite navigation fitted as standard. For the Navara ST-X dual cab, however, the sunroof was made available as an extra-cost option, having previously been fitted as standard.

2017 Nissan Navara N-Sport Black Edition

The Nissan Navara N-Sport Black Edition was released in Australia in August 2017. Although based on the Navara ST-X Dual Cab 4×4, the N-Sport Black Edition was distinguished by its 18-inch black alloy wheels, black gloss honeycomb grille, a black sports bar, black nudge bar, fitted LED light bar, black fender flares, smoky chrome fog lamp finishers, a black soft tonneau cover, ‘N-Sport’ badging and ‘Black Edition’ decals. Furthermore, the Navara N-Sport Black Edition was available in four paint finishes: Cosmic Black, Slate Grey, Brilliant Silver and Diamond White.

Australian-deliveries of the Navara N-Sport Black Edition were limited to 500 vehicles.

2018 Nissan Navara changes

In February 2018, an updated Nissan Navara utility was released in Australia with the following changes –

• A rear view camera was fitted as standard. For the Navara SL, ST and ST-X utilities, vision from the camera was shown on the infotainment display; for the Navara RX, it was shown within the rear view mirror; and,
• The Navara ST-X dual cab and king were cab fitted with Nissan’s ‘Around View Monitor’ which used four cameras to generate a bird’s eye view of the vehicle that was displayed on the seven-inch infotainment display.

From June 2018 production,

• The Navara SL, ST and ST-X variants had a digital speedometer within the instrument cluster;
• For the Navara RX, SL and ST utilities, the position of the tie-down hooks was lowered;
• For Navara ST-X utilities with the ‘Utili-track’ stowage system, four additional tie-down hooks were positioned lower within the tub;
• For all Navara dual cab variants, two ISOFIX child seat mounting points were added to the outer rear seats; and,
• The Navara ST king cab was equipped with satellite navigation (previously limited to the Navara ST dual cab).

Specifications

• Specifications: Nissan NP300.II Navara (December 2016)

Nissan NP300 Series 3 Navara utility (2018-on)

Overview

The Nissan NP300 Series 3 Navara utility was released in Australia in February 2018. For Series 3 Navara dual cab utilities, the following changes were introduced:

• The new ‘dual-rate’ rear suspension used a dynamic rebound damper to provide low and high spring rates according to load. Specifically, the damper was designed to contact the chassis rail and compress – thereby increasing its resistance – when the Navara dual cab was laden; and,
• The steering ratio was reduced from 21.5:1 to 19.0:1 and the linear steering ratio was increased from 44 mm/rev to 49 mm/rev (i.e. each time the steering wheel had turned one full revolution, the tie-rod would move by 49 mm). As a result of these changes, the steering wheel’s lock-to-lock ratio was reduced from 4.1 turns to 3.4.

Features: Nissan NP300 Series 3 Navara

The Nissan NP300 Series 3 Navara introduced the following changes:

• For all Navara dual cab variants, two ISOFIX child seat mounting points were added to the outer rear seats;
• A rear view camera was fitted as standard. For the Navara SL, ST and ST-X utilities, vision from the camera was shown on the infotainment display; for the Navara RX, it was shown within the rear view mirror;
• The Navara ST king cab was equipped with satellite navigation (previously limited to the Navara ST dual cab); and,
• The Navara ST-X dual cab and king were cab fitted with Nissan’s ‘Around View Monitor’ which used four cameras to generate a bird’s eye view of the vehicle that was displayed on the seven-inch infotainment display.

From June 2018 production,

• The Navara SL, ST and ST-X variants had a digital speedometer within the instrument cluster;
• For the Navara RX, SL and ST utilities, the position of the tie-down hooks was lowered; and,
• For Navara ST-X utilities with the ‘Utili-track’ stowage system, four additional tie-down hooks were positioned lower within the tub.

2018 Nissan Navara Dual Cab 4×4 Silverline

The Nissan Navara Dual Cab 4×4 Silverline was released in Australia in October 2018. Based on the Navara SL, the Navara Silverline had 16-inch alloy wheels, a polished alloy sports bar, ‘Silverline’ tailgate badging and a mobile phone holder.

2018 Nissan Navara Dual Cab 4×4 ST Black Edition

The Nissan Navara Dual Cab 4×4 ST Black Edition was released in Australia in October 2018. The Navara ST Black Edition could be identified by its black 18-inch alloy wheels with dealer fitted all-terrain tyres, black front grille, black fog lamp surrounds, smoked bonnet protector, black nudge bar, black door mirror caps, black wheel arch flares, black sports bar, black body decals, an LED light bar, soft tonneau cover and protective tub liner. Inside, the Navara Dual Cab Black Edition also had a mobile phone holder.

July 2019 update: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

From July 2019, the Nissan Navara SL, ST and ST-X variants were equipped with an 8.0-inch colour touchscreen that included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, but omitted the CD player of the previous systems. As part of this update,

• The Navara SL had satellite navigation via device mirroring; and,
• The Navara ST and ST-X had TomTom satellite navigation systems.

Previously the Navara SL had a 5.0-inch touchscreen, while the Navara ST and ST-X had a 7.0-inch touchscreen.

Coinciding with the July 2019 update, the Navara SL, ST and ST-X received black headlamp bezels (previously silver), while the Navara ST had black-finished side steps.

2019 Nissan Navara N-Trek

The Nissan Navara N-Trek was released in Australia in August 2019. Based on the Navara ST-X 4×4 Dual Cab, the Navara N-Trek could be identified by its black 18-inch alloy wheels, black headlamp bezels, black bumpers, black front grille and fog lamp surrounds, black lower front fascia with orange accent line, black fender flares, black alloy sportsbar, black lower body side decals, black side steps with orange accent line, black rear vision mirror caps with orange accent line, black door handles, black roof rails and an ‘N-Trek’ tailgate badge.

Inside, the Nissan Navara N-Trek had leather accented seats with orange fabric inserts, orange accent stitching (for the seats, centre console, front door armrest and steering wheel), a power adjustable driver’s seat including lumbar adjustment and heated front seats.

Related links

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