We like
Off-road geometry and ride, just-right ornamentation, 4WD focused interior and tray, grippy Cooper Discoverer rubber, decent fuel economy

Room for improvement
Some steering float at highway speeds, could do with rock sliders or side steps and a snorkel, Nissan’s driveline, tech interface and cabin are beginning to date

Overview

 

NISSAN Australia added the Navara SL Warrior as an entry point to its Premcar-fettled range in August, the rough and tumble dual-cab ute hitting dealerships priced from $58K plus on-road costs with a DIY gearbox or $60.5K plus ORCs with a seven-speed auto. That means the added extras are about $11K more than the derivative variant.

 

Like its Pro-4X sibling, the SL Warrior is engineered in conjunction with Melbourne-based Premcar, and like that model, feels just as well sorted and screwed together – and to this reviewer at least a better-looking option with less overt ornamentation and a more off-road appropriate interior.

 

Nissan says the Warrior program aims to broaden the Navara’s capability, rather than simply shifting it to off-road applications, which is why “every change or addition made to the SL Warrior has been tuned and tested in all driving scenarios to ensure capability doesn’t come at the expense of on-road comfort”.

 

That might be true, but it’s off-road where the Navara SL Warrior really comes into its own – more on that in a moment.

 

Equipment additions above those offered in the donor model include a winch-compatible bullbar with integrated LED light bar, a Navara-branded underbody bash plate, 40mm suspension lift (taking ground clearance to 260mm), a 100kg GVM upgrade, 3500kg tow pack, fender flares, a tub liner, and all-weather floor mats.

 

The Navara SL Warrior rides on what Nissan Australia says is comprehensively retuned suspension with revised front- and rear-end damping for better compliance, sound insulation and reduced float when towing or carrying a load.

 

Premcar fits the model with 275/70 series Cooper Discoverer AT3 tyres on its 17-inch wheel.

 

Overall, the changes equate to an improvement in off-road geometry that total an approach angle of 36.0 degrees (+4.0 degrees) and “near-identical” departure angle from 19.8 to 19.0 degrees with the tow bar fitted.

 

Factory equipment for the Navara SL includes a 2.3-litre four-cylinder twin-turbocharged diesel engine which develops 140kW at 3750rpm and 450Nm between 1500-2500rpm, six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic transmissions, seven airbags, a reversing camera and driver assistance technologies including forward collision warning, auto emergency braking and driver alert.

 

The model is further equipped with a 7.0-inch digital instrument panel and an 8.0-inch infotainment array with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, Bluetooth connectivity, six-speaker sound, and USB-A and USB-C outlets.

 

Nissan Australia backs the Navara SL Warrior with the same five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty offered elsewhere in the Nissan range, covering “all Nissan and Premcar parts”.

Driving Impressions

 

Having now spent considerable time with the Pro-4X and SL Warrior variants, we can say with some conviction that you’re not missing out on a whole lot by opting for the cheaper Warrior variant (sorry, Nissan).

 

Sure, the SL mightn’t possess the same level of creature comforts as its all-singing, all-dancing Pro-4X sibling; but for off-road use it feels more appropriate, with a sturdy tub liner, better payload capacity (+74kg to 1026kg), vinyl cabin flooring, less gaudy ornamentation, and equally well-sorted off-road suspension.

 

On-road, the SL Warrior is something of a compromise. The all-coil set-up rides and handles rather well – especially well considering it rides on substantial all-terrain rubber. But we did notice a little steering float at 12 o’clock (centre) when travelling at highway speeds, and frankly found the tilt-only steering adjustment not-quite-right when trying to find that perfect driving position.

 

There’s a little step-off lag from the Nissan-Renault 2.3-litre engine, and while the seven-speed auto on test was a good match for the cause, we found it really needs to be shifted manually to make the most of things off the beaten track.

 

Keep those twin turbos spinning in their sweet spot (around 2000rpm), and there’s ample torque for almost any situation, even for climbing steep and unsealed grades.

 

On lumpy fire trails and gnarly farm tracks the SL Warrior feels right at home. It takes a lot to upset the vehicle’s roadholding, and over all but the deepest craters the ride remains calm with steadfast grip and honest feedback. 

 

In a word, the Navara SL Warrior is settled over the rough stuff, making easy work of ruts and corrugations. It remains composed on the loose stuff, too, which considering we spent most of our time with nothing in the tray, says a lot about how well the suspension set-up is suited to Aussie conditions.

 

The improved approach angle – mostly by way of the high-cut bullbar – gives the SL Warrior a lot of confidence when approaching grades. We didn’t have too many issues clearing obstacles either, the additional 40mm of ride hide seemingly enough for our well-used test circuit just north of Melbourne.

 

There’s plenty of grip on hand from those Cooper Discoverers and despite choppy clay and significant ruts from recent heavy rain, we only need to engage the diff lock a handful of times, the Navara’s low-range gearing and air-downed tyres giving us all the traction needed to pull our way clear of our favourite track’s messier sections.

 

And while the SL Warrior might miss out on the Pro-4X’s rail-style tie-down points, the heavy-duty plastic tray liner felt tough enough for off-road duties, easily resisting loose recovery gear and still providing a handy array of tie-down points.

 

Sure, we’d appreciate a tonneau cover, and would likely option one were this our own vehicle but having the option to fit a soft or hard cover – or even a canopy – is part and parcel of buying the ‘cheaper’ alternative.

 

Realistically, there is no denying the Navara is getting a little long in the tooth. The engine isn’t as fluid in its delivery as the new Ford Ranger, and the in-cabin tech and décor is now very much feeling its age.

 

But for the off-road enthusiast or weekend adventurer, the Navara SL Warrior arguably provides everything you’re ever going to need.

 

Add a winch, and maybe a set of driving lights, and you’ve got a really capable dual-cab ute that’s ready to take on anything you throw at it – replete with a factory warranty! Now, who doesn’t love the sound of that?