- Olga Kokorina
- Translated by Olga Apetenok
- Ru He Fr
Nissan Navara. Reliable friend and assistant
The Nissan Navara is a pickup, which has been produced by Nissan (Japan) since 1985. There are single, one-and-a-half or double cab versions. In 2021, Israeli buyers had a chance to purchase the fourth generation pre-restyling models and new models restyled in 2021.
In fact, the Datsun Truck light pickups were produced in Japan by Nissan since 1955 (up to 1997). But since 1983, they began to be sold under the Nissan brand, with the Navara and Frontier names appearing in 1997. But in some markets (Australia, New Zealand), the Navara name already existed, so we will consider that this pickup was born in 1985: it was then that the line of trucks and passenger cars began to be sold under the Nissan brand in the large market of North America. In the domestic market of Japan, the car continued to be called Nissan Datsun.
The first generation
It was produced from 1985 to 1998. The Navara differed from the previous Datsun pickups by the presence of two versions worldwide. Each version had a unique front face design.
- The first, ‘A’ version was designed in Japan and was produced with one-and-a-half or double cabs.
- The second, ‘S’ version was developed in the United States by Nissan’s Design Studio in California.
In the USA, the first generation Navara, called Hardbody, was a direct competitor to the Toyota Hilux compact pickup. The car was equipped with two large headlights, while the body had rounded, but aggressive lines. The version with the one-and-a-half cab could have a 6 feet (180 cm) or 7 feet (210 cm) cargo compartment. International Markets (Asia, Europe, South Africa) also offered a Crew Cab (4-door 5-bed) version with a shortened loading platform.
The pickup could be equipped with diverse engines: 2,4-liter 4-cylinder carburetor engine with 106 hp, later replaced by a 130-hp on; 3-liter 6-cylinder engine. There was a choice between a standard manual transmission and an optional 3-speed automatic transmission (which later became 4-speed). Both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions were available. Equipment included air conditioning, sliding rear window, stereo and electric mirrors. In 1993, the vehicle underwent restyling, acquiring a new ergonomic dashboard and an improved interior.
The second generation
It was produced from 1998 to 2007. In the United States, the new pickup was named Frontier (‘front edge of the prairie’), later the car appeared in Europe under the name Navara. The European version was equipped with a 3.2-liter engine. There were also 4 more engines available, ranging from 2.4 to 3.3 liters. In the USA, the pickup was equipped with a 2.4-liter engine, which was later replaced by a 3.3-liter one. In 2001, as a result of restyling, the front face was almost completely changed (especially the radiator grille).
The third generation
It was produced from 2004 to 2015. The third Navara was completely redesigned, turning into a mid-size vehicle. The new pickup, built on the new Nissan F-Alpha platform, was very similar to the Nissan Titan full-size pickup for the American market. In Europe, the sales of the pickup began in September 2006.
In the USA, the vehicle was equipped with a 4-liter V6 engine with 261 hp or a 2.5-liter 152 hp engine. In Europe and Russia, the pickup was sold with a 2.5-liter engine generating 174 hp, as well as a diesel engine, which was equipped with a variable-geometry turbocharger and an intercooler. There was a choice between a 6-speed manual transmission and a 5-speed automatic transmission.
After the restyling in 2008, the interior was slightly upgraded. Now it supported Bluetooth functions. In 2010, the exterior and interior were slightly changed. A new 3-liter engine appeared.
The fourth generation
It has been produced from 2014 to the present, and was restyled in 2021 (as of 2021). The manufacturer wanted to make the new Nissan Navara look like a SUV, without losing its off-road characteristics. Therefore, the double cab modifications are equipped with a multi-link rear suspension developed by Mercedes. The one-and-a-half cab Navara is still equipped with leaf springs, but they are now about 7 kg lighter and quieter. The new pickup is capable of carrying more than one ton of cargo and pulling a 3.5 ton trailer. The double cab has a 1,578 mm (+67 mm) long loading platform, and the one-and-a-half cab offers a 1,788 mm long loading platform.
The vehicle is equipped with a new 2.3-liter diesel engine, available in one of two variants (160 or 190 hp). The new engines are 24% more fuel-efficient than the previous ones. You can order a pickup with a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed automatic transmission, with rear or all-wheel drive.
The list of equipment includes hill start assist and hill descent control, cruise control and keyless entry. After 2018, the model uses Nissan Intelligent Mobility technology, which includes a 360-degree camera and a blind spot monitoring system.
2020 restyling
On November 5, 2020, Nissan introduced an upgraded pickup and its Pro-4X trim level. The restyled version has the same engines and new active safety features. The upgraded model is expected to go on sale in the first quarter of 2021. The restyled vehicle features the new exterior, interior and equipment.
The new 2021 Nissan Navara comes with new LED headlights with a black frame, modified taillights and new rims (17-18 inches). The pickup has acquired a new multimedia system with a color touch 8-inch display (it includes a rear-view camera, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, navigation). Turbocharged diesel engines (160 and 190 hp) are new, whereas the weaker engine is coupled with a new manual transmission. The rear drum brakes have been replaced with more efficient disc brakes, and the front disc brakes have become bigger. The free travel of the rear suspension has been increased by 25 mm and, finally, the pickup’s load capacity has increased by 45 kg.
