- Doors and Seats
4 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
3.0DT, 6 cyl.
- Engine Power
170kW, 550Nm
- Fuel
Diesel 9.3L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4XD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2012 Nissan Navara ST-X 550 Off-road Review
2012 NISSAN NAVARA REVIEW
Vehicle Style: Dual-cab utility, V6, turbo-diesel, automatic
Price: $56,990 (plus on-roads)
Fuel Economy listed: 9.5 l/100km | tested: Not recorded
OVERVIEW
Nissan’s Navara pickup has been with us for quite a few years now, and its bold chunky styling has seen it well-accepted by both private and fleet buyers alike.
So far in 2012, Nissan has shifted 17,732 of the 4x4 model (second only to the Toyota Hilux). And, adding to the Navara’s appeal, was the arrival last year of the brilliant 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6.
With 170kW and 550Nm, it has all the stump-pulling grunt you could ever need in a 4x4 dual-cab ute. Great for hauling a quad-bike trailer to the bush block, some lardy friends along for the ride and a dog the size of a small horse in the tray.
But what happens when you leave the blacktop? How well does the Navara 550 perform during a gnarly off-road session?
We put it through some serious pain to find out.
INTERIOR | RATING: 3/5
Quality: Hard plastics abound in the Navara, but the ST-X 550 brings with it a changed centre stack which sets it apart from the entry-level Navara.
But, leather seats aside, there’s no getting away from its work-truck origins.
Comfort: The seats are great both on-road and off it and there’s plenty of space up front. While the back seats are not quite Amarok-comfy, there’s enough room there for most adults for longer journeys.
Equipment: The 550 comes with a reversing camera, sat-nav screen, Bluetooth and an above-average Bose stereo with the requisite CD, MP3 and aux-in capability.
The tray is also plastic lined, which is a bonus, plus you get sidesteps and a bonnet protector (but with such a slabby front end, we’re not sure what it really protects).
Storage: Apart from that huge tray behind the cabin, there are good-sized door bins, a dual-lidded glovebox and a small, covered recess ahead of the gear lever. Behind it are two good-sized cupholders. But hey, if you have anything large, just chuck it in the tray.
Towing capacity is the same 3000kg (braked) of the Navara range.
ON AND OFF THE ROAD | RATING: 3.5/5
On road driveability: A long stretch of blacktop led to the 4WD track. On road, that 170kW and 550Nm V6 diesel powerhouse under the bonnet is effortless when overtaking or climbing hills - all that’s needed is a slight press of the accelerator and the wave of torque does the rest.
Acceleration away from standstill is equally impressive - though there is a moment of lag as the turbo spools-up.
The seven-speed auto has ample ratios to keep the engine on the boil (but holds onto the gears longer than strictly necessary).