Earlier this week, Nissan slapped its badge on the Outlander PHEV to roll out the new Rogue Plug-In Hybrid. It’s now launching a completely different vehicle, also with Mitsubishi roots. Meet the new Navara, a mid-size pickup closely related to the latest-generation Triton introduced in 2023.
It’s not unusual for trucks in this segment to share platforms. After all, the Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok are cut from the same cloth, while the Mazda BT-50 is closely tied to the Isuzu D-Max. The previous Navara itself shared its bones with the Renault Alaskan and the ill-fated Mercedes X-Class. In China, the Dongfeng Rich 6 is essentially a Navara in disguise. This approach reduces development time and financial strain in a highly competitive segment.
Nissan did more than just swap badges and call it a day. The fourth-generation Navara underwent testing in Australia, where local company Premcar worked on the suspension to ensure it could handle a wide range of tasks. The automotive engineering specialist evaluated everything from urban and off-road driving to towing and operating the truck with a full payload.
But yes, the styling does betray the truck’s origins. To be fair, Nissan put some effort into giving the Navara a distinctive look, and dare we say it, it looks better than the Triton. Most of the sheet metal appears to be carried over, but the front-end changes do make the truck look more rugged. For example, the three-slot motif is a nod to the D21 Navara, while the “C” light signature front and rear also sets it apart from the donor truck.
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Source: Nissan
It also helps that we’re looking at the tougher PRO-4X version, whereas the cheaper trims will do without some of the off-road bits. Shown here as a concept, a beefier Warrior version is currently in development by Premcar. It’s based on the Pro-4X grade but comes with a lifted suspension and custom 17-inch wheels wrapped around 32-inch tires. Premcar further sets it apart with beefier fenders, extra underbody protection, and additional driving lamps.
The flagship comes with a 7,716-pound (3,500-kilogram)-rated towbar and a wider track. Finishing touches include lava red accents and prominent Warrior badging inside and out.
In Australia, Nissan will sell all Navara flavors with a turbodiesel 2.4-liter engine making 201 horsepower and 347 pound-feet (470 Newton-meters) of torque. Output is routed to the road through a six-speed automatic transmission. Lesser versions come with an electronic rear differential lock and make do with an Easy 4WD that engages four-wheel drive only when the additional traction is needed.
Stepping up to the ST-X and PRO-4X grades brings a more sophisticated Super 4WD system with a Torsen limited-slip differential. There are also no fewer than seven drive modes to choose from: Normal, Eco, Gravel, Snow, Mud, Sand, and Rock. All versions get electric power steering, unlike the new Hilux, which Toyota will still sell in Eastern Europe with a hydraulic setup.
Developing story…
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