Nissan upgrades Navara safety, tech

NISSAN Australia has detailed the upgraded Navara range ahead of its launch later this month, with the updates headlined by a boost to safety and technology levels and some price increases.

The Japanese car-maker has also promised “important changes under the metal (that) have improved the ride, handling and steering” of the Navara, but these will be detailed at a later date.

Of the 35 variants on offer, eight have been subject to price rises, including a $200 lift for the manual and automatic ST 4x2 and 4x4 dual-cab pick-ups, a $300 jump for the manual RX 4x4 king-cab pick-up, and a $500 increase for the manual and automatic RX 4x2 and automatic RX 4x4 dual-cab pick-ups.

A surround-view system consisting of four mounted cameras has been added to ST-X dual- and king-cab variants, providing a comprehensive view of surrounding vehicles, pedestrians and objects.

This is complemented a reversing camera that is now standard on all pick-up variants, after previously being the reserve of higher-grade variants.

For SL, ST and ST-X pick-up variants, the reversing camera is incorporated into the 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while RX pick-up variants have theirs feature within the rearview mirror.

The tie-down hook points on RX, SL and ST pick-up variants have been lowered, while ST-X variants now have four extra tie-down hooks lower within the tub.

All dual-cab variants add two Isofix child seat mounting points to their outer rear seats, while the two ST king-cab pick-ups now have standard built-in satellite navigation, matching their dual-cab siblings.

From June production, all SL, ST and ST-X variants will feature a digital speedometer within the instrument cluster.

While cloth trim is standard across the Navara line-up, ST-X dual-cab pick-ups and their automatic king-cab counterpart can be upgraded with a $1500 leather upholstery option that bundles in heated seats, door trim and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support.

The Navara’s pair of turbo-diesel four-cylinder engines carry over unchanged, paired to either a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed automatic transmission.

Nissan Australia managing director Stephen Lester stressed the importance of the Navara’s new inclusions while also highlighting the opportunity for buyers to receive a good deal on the existing model.

“The 2018 Nissan Navara includes some important new additions that will continue to entice ute buyers to the Nissan brand,” he said.

“Before the 2018 model arrives, our focus is on the runout of the current series.

“There are some great run-out deals available for private buyers, who can purchase the Navara dual-cab ST 4x4 from $42,990 driveaway, as well as a range of offers for those with an ABN.

“There’s not a lot of stock left, so I invite customers to take advantage of these prices while they can.”

Navara sales took a slight hit last year, with 16,532 examples sold to the end of 2017, representing a 1.3 per cent decrease over the 16,755 deliveries made in 2016.

The Toyota HiLux (47,093 units) and Ford Ranger (42,728) led from the front yet again in last year's 4x2 and 4x4 ute segments.

The Navara had a bumper month in January on the back of the runout, with 1578 examples finding homes – enough for it to slip into the top-10 best sellers for the month.

2018 Nissan Navara pricing*

Single cab
DX 4x4 diesel cab chassis	$31,990
RX 4x2 diesel cab chassis	$25,990
RX 4x4 diesel cab chassis	$32,990
RX 4x4 diesel cab chassis (a)	$35,490
King cab
RX 4x2 diesel cab chassis	$28,490
RX 4x4 diesel cab chassis	$35,490
RX 4x4 diesel pick-up	$37,290
ST 4x4 diesel pick-up	$43,990
ST 4x4 diesel pick-up (a)	$46,490
ST-X 4x4 diesel pick-up	$49,990
ST-X 4x4 diesel pick-up (a)	$52,490
Dual cab
RX 4x2 diesel pick-up	$33,490
RX 4x2 diesel pick-up (a)	$35,990
ST 4x2 diesel pick-up	$40,190
ST 4x2 diesel pick-up (a)	$42,690
ST-X 4x2 diesel pick-up	$44,990
ST-X 4x2 diesel pick-up w/ sunroof	$45,990
ST-X 4x2 diesel pick-up (a)	$47,490
ST-X 4x2 diesel pick-up w/ sunroof (a)	$48,490
RX 4x4 diesel cab chassis	$38,490
RX 4x4 diesel cab chassis (a)	$40,990
RX 4x4 diesel pick-up	$39,990
RX 4x4 diesel pick-up (a)	$42,990
SL 4x4 diesel pick-up	$43,990
SL 4x4 diesel pick-up (a)	$46,490
ST 4x4 diesel pick-up	$47,190
ST 4x4 diesel pick-up (a)	$49,960
ST-X 4x4 diesel pick-up	$51,990
ST-X 4x4 diesel pick-up w/ sunroof	$52,990
ST-X 4x4 diesel pick-up (a)	$54,490
ST-X 4x4 diesel pick-up w/ sunroof (a)	$55,490

*Excludes on-road costs