The Nissan Navara is a midsize pickup truck and is the culmination of the brand's 80 years of experience in making some of the best pickup trucks in the world. It has lots of upgrades, apart from the visual improvement, that set the bar higher for the pickup segment in the Philippines. The Nissan Navara's front fascia is designed with edged slopes for an intimidating look, with the headlights updated to LED with daytime running. It even gets a larger grille and new alloy wheel options for the refreshed model.
Underneath the Navara is a full-length, fully-boxed ladder frame that adds stiffness to the pickup while the rigid five-link rear suspension gives an improved comfort for all passengers. Added to the high-trim Navaras is Nissan's around-view monitor that gives a full 360 view of the pickup truck while you're seated in the cockpit. A 2.5-liter 16-valve engine runs the Nissan Navara, which starts at 161 hp with 403 Nm of torque for the base model, while the range-topping variants have 187 hp with 450 Nm of torque. Transmission options include a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic, while the drivetrain can either come in 4x2 or 4x4 configurations.
Launch
The current-generation Nissan Navara was launched in 2015 as the NP300 Navara, boasting a new platform and powertrain options for the competitive pickup truck segment in the Philippines. One of its key features back then was its rear multi-link suspension—a type of suspension usually found in smaller crossovers and sedans.
In 2018, Nissan Philippines refreshed the Navara with the Nissan Intelligent Mobility suite of high-tech safety features which includes the around-view monitor. Fast-forward to March 21, 2021, and the Philippine market finally receives the facelifted Nissan Navara which features a range of exterior and interior upgrades while maintaining the 2.5-liter diesel powerplant along with the same transmission options.
On April 7, 2022, Nissan Philippines unveiled the Navara Calibre-X for the Philippine market at the Manila International Auto Show.
Platform, Chassis and Powertrain
As a midsize pickup, the updated Nissan Navara has a rigid body-on-frame construction. It’s available in the Philippines with a four-door double cab body type only. The Navara sits atop Nissan’s F-Alpha Platform, coded D23. It can be had in either 4x2 or 4x4 drivetrain configurations.
Under the hood of the refreshed Navara is still the familiar 2.5-liter YD25 DDTi diesel engine that’s tuned two ways, depending on the variant, paired to either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed automatic transmission with manual mode. For manual variants, this power plant produces 161 hp and 403 Nm torque, while pairing the engine with an automatic can boosts its figures to 187 hp and 450 Nm torque.
The facelifted Navara's suspension setup is an independent double-wishbone with coil spring and stabilizer bar (front) and multi-link (5-link) coil spring with stabilizer bar (rear). Front and rear brakes are ventilated discs and drums, respectively.
2.5-liter four-cylinder diesel engine with Variable Turbocharger
Power Output
161 hp @ 3,600 rpm, 403 Nm @ 2,000 rpm (EL 4x2 MT, VE Calibre 4x2 MT)
187 hp @ 3,600 rpm, 430 Nm @ 2,000 rpm (VE Calibre 4x2 AT)
187 hp @ 3,600 rpm, 450 Nm @ 2,000 rpm (VE 4x4 MT, VL Calibre 4x2, Calibre-X 4x2, VL 4x4, PRO-4X 4x4)
Transmission
6-Speed Manual Transmission
7-Speed Automatic Transmission with Manual Mode
Driving Performance
Powering top-of-the-line variants of the Navara is a mighty 2.5-liter turbocharged diesel mill that produces 187 hp and 450 Nm torque. While there is some jerkiness to its throttle input, it won’t be hard to get used to; plus, the 7-speed automatic transmission sends the power nicely without hesitation.
Handling-wise, the Navara nose dives during hard braking, and body roll is apparent when taking corners at speeds. Those are quite expected, though, but expect a very pliant ride with this pickup truck. It isn’t floaty to drive, as well, which is a good thing.
Technology Features
As for tech features, the Navara features a Nissan 8-inch Advanced Touchscreen Display Audio infotainment system. All variants except for the base model will have this feature. The unit comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity as well as Bluetooth, USB, iPod, AUX, and an AM/FM radio tuner. The 2-DIN units will only come with Bluetooth, USB, iPod, AUX, and a radio tuner, while all variants except for the base model get a 4+2 speaker setup, while the base model gets only 4 drivers.
As for the gauge cluster, Nissan outfitted the Navara with a high-type 7-inch color TFT display flanked by two cylindrical gauges for the VE variants and up. This display is a big improvement over the prior iteration and gives the driver clear information at a glance. The Navara also features multiple 12-volt sockets as well as USB charging points scattered throughout the cabin. On top of that, VL variants get to enjoy the ever-famous Nissan Around View Monitor (AVM), which is a 360-degree camera system that allows drivers to view everything around the vehicle through the use of cameras. Top-of-the-line 4x4 variants will get an extra mode in the system called: Off-Road Monitor, which gives a better view of the terrain around the car in uncharted territory.
Exterior
The Navara got a major exterior refresh in 2021. The front bumper, grille, headlights, rear tailgate, taillights, and rear bumper all got an update for the 2021 year model. Nissan also updated the wheel design for all models, with the VL variants getting the largest set coming in at 18 inches in diameter. The more trail-oriented model, the 4x4 Pro gets a smaller 17-inch set of wheels, but the wheels come in a glossy black finish that adds a big amount of sportiness. The Navara will also come with up to 245 mm of ground clearance for the base models, 220 mm for the VE, 225 mm for the 4x2 VL, and 220 for the PRO-4X 4x4 and VL 4x4, and only the base model gets 245 mm. The front grille of all models will be clad in chrome except for the PRO-4X with a black and orange color scheme. All trims except for the VE variant get side step boards as standard.
Apart from the gloss black wheels with orange accents, the blacked-out grille with orange accents, the PRO-4X also gets body cladding with accents along with gloss black side mirror caps and gloss black door handles.
The Navara gets a substantial upgrade in the lighting department because all models except for the EL trim get a Quad-LED Projector with Follow-Me-Home functionality, Daytime Running Lights (DRLs), and LED fog lamps, and LED taillamps. The base EL variant gets halogen multi-reflector headlamps and bulb-type taillights.
As for colors, the Navara gets a few variant-exclusive colorways. The top-of-the-line PRO-4X gets Nissan's Stealth Pearl Gray and Firey Red as exclusive colors. The model is also available in Galaxy Black and Aspen Pearl White. Meanwhile, the EL and VE variants are available in Brilliant Silver, Alpine White, and Galaxy Black. Meanwhile, mid-range to high-end variants of the Navara, which include the VE to VL trims, geet Galaxy Black, Aspen Pearl White, a new color called Forged Metallic Copper, and Lunar Metallic Gray.
Interior
The Navara retains the general design of the pre-update model. In the top-of-the-line PRO-4X Navara, you get leather seats with PRO-4X stitching, but all other variants get new leather and fabric seat designs. Nissan still bundles the Navara with its famous Zero gravity seats. Another new appointment for the 2021 model year is the redesigned steering wheel. Because there is a new multi-information display in the gauge cluster, the new wheel comes with navigation controls for the new screen in the gauge cluster.
Safety
The refreshed Nissan Navara benefits from standard airbags (driver, front passenger, side, side curtain), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), and many more. Notably, higher-end variants of the facelifted Nissan Navara comes with the brand's suite of Intelligent Mobility safety features including Intelligent Emergency Braking (IEB), Driver Attention Alert (DAA), Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), High Beam Assist (HBA), Around View Monitor (AVM), Moving Object Detection, Hill Start Assist (HSA), and Hill Descent Control (HDC).
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View our pricelist table and select a variant to view further specifications.
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Nissan Navara Colors
The Nissan Navara comes in the following colors: Alpine White, Brilliant Silver, Galaxy Black, Aspen Pearl White, Fiery Red, Stealth Pearl Gray, Forged Metallic Copper and Lunar Metallic Gray
Alpine White
Brilliant Silver
Galaxy Black
Aspen Pearl White
Fiery Red
Galaxy Black
Stealth Pearl Gray
Alpine White
Brilliant Silver
Forged Metallic Copper
Galaxy Black
Alpine White
Brilliant Silver
Galaxy Black
Aspen Pearl White
Forged Metallic Copper
Galaxy Black
Lunar Metallic Gray
Nissan Navara Specifications
Key specifications & features of the Nissan Navara. View engine specs, dimensions, safety and technology features in our full variant pages.
Body Type
Pickup Truck
No. of seats
5
Fuel Type
Diesel
Transmission
Manual
Automatic
Max Output (hp)
160 hp @ 3,600 rpm - 187 hp @ 3,600 rpm
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Four-Wheel Drive
Wheel Size
17 in - 18 in
Airbags
6
*Depending on variant
ISOFIX
Available
Front Parking Sensors
Not Available
Rear Parking Sensors
Available *Depending on variant
Connectivity
Bluetooth, USB, Aux, Tuner, Apple Carplay, Android Auto and iPod
*Depending on variant
Warranty
5 Years (150,000 km)
SRP
₱1,115,000
₱1,320,000
Visayas/Mindanao
₱1,200,000
₱1,370,000
Ground Clearance
245 mm
220 mm
Cruise Control
No
Yes
Wheels Metal Type
Steel
Alloy
Airconditioning System
Dial-type manual with rear vents
Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control with rear vents
Entertainment System
2DIN with 4 speakers
Nissan 8-inch advanced touchscreen display audio with 6-speakers
Connectivity
Bluetooth, USB, Aux, and Tuner
Apple Carplay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, iPod, Aux, Tuner and USB
We don't have just one Nissan Navara for review, we have two: the VE and the PRO-4X—top of the line and middle of the road on this episode of Behind the Wheel.
