Nissan Navara Review and Prices

There’s a reason you’re seeing more and more pickups like the Nissan Navara on the roads. Not long ago, pickups were pretty rudimentary things built to survive the harsh day-to-day on farms and building sites, but these days they’re comfy and practical enough that they’re being used for the school run and weekly shop too.

Even better, because pickups that can carry more than one tonne are classed as light commercial vehicles (LCVs) and therefore cost much less to own as a company car, there are decent savings to be made versus a normal SUV.

And the Nissan Navara gives you another reason – it’s actually quite stylish for a pickup. OK, so it’s not exactly an Italian sports car from the 1960s, but its shapely bonnet flowing lines over its wheel arches give it a sleek look that most pickups can’t match. Inside it’s less impressive on the style front, but everything does at least feel well screwed together.

Nissan’s touchscreen infotainment system, though, looks and feels decidedly old hat these days. That’s if your Navara even has it – Visia and Accenta models get no screen. From N-Connecta and up you get an 8-inch screen with built-in sat-nav, but it isn’t the most responsive to use and its onscreen icons are often too small. Still, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard with this system, which improves the experience.

Most pickups are fairly ungainly things to look at, but Nissan has managed to create one that’s actually quite sleek. I like it.

A couple of adults will have no issues with space in the front, while both front seats get a generous amount of manual adjustment. The driver enjoys a good amount of manual steering wheel adjustment too. The Navara comes as either a King Cab with two occasional seats in the rear that offer very little space, or a Double Cab. The latter is the better bet because another two adults will find headroom and knee room good sat in the rear seats. That said, adding a third, though, will make things less comfortable on a long journey.

The Navara’s load bay is one of the best in the business, though. Every model will take a euro pallet between its wheel arches, and you can carry up to 1180kg depending on the model you choose.

Two engines are available, both 2.3-litre diesels, but with either 163 or 190hp. The former comes with a 6-speed manual only, whereas the 190hp version gets the option of a seven-speed automatic. All Navaras get four-wheel drive as standard. The 163hp version is strong enough to deal with most tasks, but if you regularly tow or fill the loadbay then you’ll be glad of the stronger engine’s extra poke, even if all Navara’s will ultimately tow 3500kg.

Nissan has given the Navara more advanced rear suspension than you’ll find on most pickups, and as such, it’s more comfortable to drive than most too – although traditional SUVs are more comfortable still. The Navara’s steering is also pretty vague, which combined with average body control makes it no fun in the corners. Unfortunately, there’s quite a bit of wind and road noise to contend with on the motorway too.

So, as long as you go for at least N-Connecta trim you’re buying a stylish, spacious, well-equipped pickup that’ll also haul and tow as much as the best.