Contents
The same, yet different, but different enough to merit attention and praise from us. The Nissan Navara PRO-4X is such a truck that fulfills many tasks. It can take the abuse that a pickup truck needs to handle, but it can also handle like a charm.
We all know that the Navara is one of the most comfortable pickups in the market, if not the most comfortable in the midsize segment. However, this is a historic variant in the Nissan lineup since it is one of the most off-road going in the family of variants. Does it still deserve its claim to fame? Do the leaf springs buckle under pressure? Boy, do we have an answer for you.
4.0 / 5
Performance
Engine Output (HP), Acceleration, Transmission, Handling 3.5/5
Engine Output (HP), Acceleration, Transmission, Handling 3.5/5
Design
Exterior & Interior Design, Quality, Fit and Finish, Ergonomics 4.5/5
Exterior & Interior Design, Quality, Fit and Finish, Ergonomics 4.5/5
Ride Comfort
Cabin Comfort, Suspension, NVH Insulation 4.0/5
Cabin Comfort, Suspension, NVH Insulation 4.0/5
Safety and Technology
Convenience Technologies, Active and Passive Safety Features 4.5/5
Convenience Technologies, Active and Passive Safety Features 4.5/5
Value for Money
Amount of the vehicle you get for the price, Fuel Efficiency 3.5/5
Amount of the vehicle you get for the price, Fuel Efficiency 3.5/5
What You Will Like
- LED Headlights are fantastic
- All-terrain tires come stock
- Around View Monitor with off-road mode
What You Won't Like
- No bedliner a standard
- Interior is bland save for the steering wheel and seats
Exterior
We’ll admit, Nissan knows how to design a pickup truck properly. It’s very muscular and isn’t as ordinary-looking as the VE. It’s not as classy as the VL or VE variants in the lineup, but it does look like it’s equipped for the job, which is to do some work and then some more.
However, while we are fond of the body color, the accents on the fenders and the Nissan badge don’t quite match the rest of the car. However, we do, and definitely, recommend the other colors to pair with the red accents on the body. The contrast is just so much better than a face full of red, but that’s subjective.
On top of all of that, you get roof rails, a step board that’s standard throughout most of the lineup, a great set of LED headlights, a matte grille, and also a set of 17-inch wheels that are wrapped in all-terrain tires. If you want to turn your road-going rig into a more off-road going one, tires are a great place to start, and the Yokohamas on the 2021 model year of this PRO-4X is a great start to any off-road adventurer. Though, the ground clearance could use a little boost for more hardcore trails because it is rated at 220mm, the same as the rest of the lineup.
Just ready a little more budget for a bed liner because even the PRO-4X rolls off the lot with a bare metal bed.
Interior
Nothing really notable about the dashboard, but the seats and the wheel get an attractive redesign. Some say that the wheel is also shared with the upcoming Nissan 400Z. That being said, it’s insanely ergonomic and pleasant to use. Your hands will mold nicely into the ring and the leather feels pretty great. The same can be said about the zero-gravity seats. Not only are they plush and great to ride in, but they also look quite nice as well.
Space itself is quite adequate for a midsize pickup. We’ll say that it is par for the course with the rest of the competition. For context, a 6-footer could fit in the back comfortably with a normal-sized driver in the front seat. Horizontal space is also quite adequate. You also get a rear center armrest, a charging port for the rear passengers, and most importantly a pair of rear air vents.
Of note, we’ll also laud the consistency of Nissan’s climate control system. We’ve been doing so for the past few years, and no other mainstream brand quite comes close. It’s like magic really, and it distracts from the otherwise plain look of the Navara’s dashboard. We’re not complaining that much because it’s a pickup truck. Now if only Nissan were to do something about the Terra, that would be much appreciated.
Comfort
For a pickup truck, the Navara rides exceptionally well. Don’t get us wrong, you’ll still get a better ride with an affordable crossover, but it’s one of the best in its class. Thanks to the rear coil springs, the Navara returns great city performance for a pickup. It’ll be plusher than a Hilux or a Ranger, but it won’t reach sedan or crossover levels of comfort. Load it up a little and the ride gets a little better from there.
As for NVH insulation, wind noise and road noise were kept to a minimum. It admittedly gets slightly noisy over the speed limit, but it’s very manageable when drowned out with music. However, you will hear a bit of a hum from the tires, as they are not a highway terrain set as previously mentioned.
Technology
Nissan’s 8-inch N-Connect system is one of our favorites, not because it’s the best-looking, but the particular unit found in the PRO-4X variant gets a 360-degree around-view monitor along with parking sensors all around, and even an off-road monitor. The off-road monitor for the around view system is exclusive to the PRO-4X, and seasoned veterans will appreciate this feature when caught between a rock and a hard place. Normal folks will like the convenience it brings while parking.
Going deeper into the infotainment experience, we were able to enjoy Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The audio system was good, not too tinny. There is a good level of sound quality, but again, not enough bass like most of the pickups anyway. Surprisingly, not only do you get a standard USB-A port for your phone, but you also get one USB-C port.
Other tech features in the Navara PRO-4X include a keyless entry system with push-start, intelligent forward collision warning, driver attention alert, hill-start assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, high beam assist, and hill descent control. It’s quite a complete package, except for a few additional features that make the vehicle more autonomous, but you won’t be using more advanced features most of the time anyway.
Safety
Keeping you safe is a set of 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, brake assist, four-wheel active brake slip, trailer stability control, electronic stability control, speed-sensing door locks, alarm, engine immobilizer, and ISOFIX tethers.
It’s a pretty standard kit for safety, but we’re more impressed with the fact that the top-of-the-line variant shares its 6 airbags with even the base model of the Navara.
Driving
Behind the wheel of the Navara, you will notice that the steering wheel is not too light nor is it too heavy. The feel is adequate for a modern vehicle, but it’s not too tiring if you want to turn lock to lock. Certainly, the nice steering wheel helps. Apart from that, handling in the city was made extremely easy thanks to the around view monitor, which would give us an idea of how close or how far the curb is from the car. Tight spots aren’t really a problem unless you really aren’t used to a larger vehicle. In any case, the 360-cam does its job well to “shrink” this rig.
Open up the throttle and you’re greeted by 187 hp and 450 Nm of torque from a 2.5-liter turbo-diesel engine. It is the same engine as found in the pre-facelift of the Navara, and it also gets a 7-speed automatic transmission. The engine gets quite lively even at low RPMs, but it loses a bit on the higher RPMs. The transmission is super smooth, but putting it into manual mode is a bit sluggish, as expected from a pickup. It holds the gears nicely, so at least it’s really a manual mode.
Get to the twists and turns, and you will find that the truck handles great. We’re not totally afraid of chucking it in the corners give a bit more confidence thanks to the rear suspension setup. That being said, it’s a nice truck to drive a bit spiritedly. Still, however, it’s still a pickup, so don’t expect it to handle like a GT-R.
Fuel economy
On the highway, we were able to get 18 km/L, then caught in city traffic, we were able to squeeze out 7 km/L. Not bad, but it could be better. The 4x4 system really weighs the PRO-4X down quite a bit, and we were able to get better figures in the lower variants like the VE, which only has a 4x2 drivetrain.
Verdict and Price
When all is said and done, it’s a great car. Given its capability and its high-end features, the Navara PRO-4X is ready for anything. At P1,849,000, however, it’s not the most affordable top-of-the-line model in the country. You can get its other rivals for the same price, but those in the know should definitely know what they want if they’re willing to upgrade to the PRO-4X.
You get a plusher ride compared to other pickups, and there is something to be said about the zero-gravity seats as well. The engine is still impressive even after a few years on the market, and the 7-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly. The all-terrain tires are also a great deal right off the showroom floor.
However, we do have to mention the PRO-4X’s rivals. Even within the lineup, there are a few more options that could be a better fit depending on your lifestyle. If you’re on a budget but don’t really need the 4x4 system in your ride, then consider the VE variants of the Terra. They look just as good as the top-spec variants, but they’re substantially more affordable. Meanwhile, if you still most of the trimmings with a more road-going kit, then the VL variants of the Terra will suit you nicely. We will admit that the PRO-4X’s kit is a bit excessive especially if you’re making it a work truck, but boy does it look good. Of course, we have other models like the Isuzu D-MAX and the Toyota Hilux, and the Ford Ranger. The rest of the competition serves up a sizeable amount of kit, except for the Hilux as it missed out on leather seats. In whatever case, the Navara is the most comfortable of them all, and that’s not really up for debate in our opinion.
Specifications
Engine
2.5 LFuel Type
DieselPerformance
187 hp @ 3,600 rpmTransmission
Automatic-
Summary
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Name Nissan Navara 2.5 PRO-4X AT 4x4 Body Type Pickup Truck Price ₱1,850,000 Transmission Category Automatic -
Engine
-
Engine Size 2.5 L Displacement 2,488 cc Number of Cylinders 4 Number of Valves 16 Transmission Type 7-speed AT with Manual mode -
Performance
-
Drivetrain Four-Wheel Drive Max Output (hp) 187 hp @ 3,600 rpm Max Torque (nm) 450 Nm @ 2,000 rpm *estimated -
Economy & Environment
-
Fuel Type Diesel Emissions Standard Euro 4 Fuel Capacity 80.0 L Combined Fuel Consumption 12.9 km/L *estimated -
Dimensions
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Length 5,260 mm Width 1,875 mm Height 1,855 mm Wheelbase 3,150 mm Deck Length 1,470 mm Deck Width 1,495 mm Deck Height 470 mm Payload Capacity 1,017 kg Turning Circle 12 m Ground Clearance 220 mm Trunk Capacity n/a Number of Doors 4 Number of Seats 5 -
Safety & Security
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Driver's Airbag Front Passenger's Airbag Side Airbags Curtain Airbags Knee Airbag Auto Brake System Electronic Brake Distribution Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake assist
Immobilizer Security Alarm Stability Control Electronic Door Locks Speed Sensing Door Locks ISOFIX Lane Departure Warning System Blind-Spot Detection System -
Features
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Cruise Control Front Parking Sensors Rear Parking Sensors Leather Upholstery Push Start Button Wheel Size 17 in Wheels Metal Type Alloy (Gloss Black) Airconditioning System Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control with rear vents Entertainment System Nissan 9-inch advanced touchscreen display audio with 6-speakers (including 2 Tweeters) Connectivity Apple Carplay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, iPod, Aux, Tuner and USB Navigation Ready Warranty 5 Years (150,000 km) Keyless Entry Roof Rack Sunroof Electric Adjustable Seats Power Steering Power Windows Power Outlet Steering Wheel Audio Control -
Technology
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Active Park Assist Hill Start Assist AWD Modes Part-time (2H/4H/4l) Shift-on-the-fly Tire Pressure Monitoring Heads-up Display Power Liftgate Start-stop System
Colors
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