2018 Nissan Navara SL review

Eschewing leaf spring suspension in favour of passenger-car-oriented coils at the rear was a bold move, but one that compromised its ability to carry heavy loads.

Engineers have since had two cracks at bolstering the rear springs with the aim of improving its ability to lift (or drag) heavy things.

Taking the narrower-bodied RX out of the equation, the SL is the most affordable dual-cab 4x4 Navara available.

Fitted with the seven-speed auto most opt for it’s respectable value at $46,490.

For that you get steel wheels and hose-out vinyl floors, although things such as a reversing camera are included and it even gets seatbelt reminders for all five seats. There are also side steps and a rear electric sliding window.

The warranty offers standard three-year, 100,000km coverage, and service intervals are longer than rivals, at 20,000km or 12 months.

However, the services aren’t cheap, priced between $547 and $738 annually for the first six years. If you’re doing big kays it’ll likely work out cheaper than rivals, but for those doing 10-15K a year the service costs will be high.

The Navara likes to do things differently. The most obvious way it does that is with its rear suspension, which is coil springs (as used on passenger cars) versus the leafs common in workhorse utes.

Those with dogs will like the sliding rear window, which allows easy access to the tray – or for the mutt to see what it’s missing up front.

Plus, there’s air vents in the rear, a rarity in this class – but a real win for work mates looking for better ventilation on a hot day.

Despite the basic steel wheels, there are splashes of silver and chrome inside and the side steps outside.

And whereas most have a six-speed auto, the Navara gets seven ratios.

Despite the basic vinyl floor covering Nissan has made interesting efforts elsewhere. The velour-inspired cloth trim, for example, spices up the interior and even flows through to the top of the covered centre console, which doubles as an arm rest.

While there’s no reach adjustment to the steering, the height adjustment and well placed seat makes things comfy enough.

Instruments and main controls are also well placed and easy to use, although there’s not much real estate on the 5.0-inch colour infotainment screen.

Noise levels are generally good, helped by the flexible twin-turbo engine that is nicely refined.

The Navara doesn’t get any of the latest crash avoidance or warning systems, but there are seven airbags (including a knee airbag) and seatbelt warnings for all five positions. There’s also a standard reversing camera.

Bright LED daytime running lights improve visibility to other road users, especially on country roads.

It received a five-star ANCAP rating in 2015. Occupant protection was good but pedestrian protection was rated as marginal, with concerns over injuries to legs.

At 2.3 litres in capacity the Navara is one of the new breed of downsized engines.

But in SL trim it gets a twin-turbo setup that makes for solid outputs – 140kW and 450Nm.

That torque peak arrives at just 1500rpm, so the engine provides plenty of urge low down in the rev range. It’s relatively relaxed and easily shifts things along.

The seven-speed auto is also content to rely on those lower revs and muscle, in part to help with fuel use. With claimed consumption of 7.0L/100km the Navara is among the most efficient in its class.

Thoughtfulness comes to the fore in the cabin of the Navara, especially when it comes to storage options. Well placed storage spaces are smattered throughout, from the top of the dash (also with a 12V power outlet) to small binnacles alongside the gear selector.

Space in the back is OK, although adults may find their legs too high courtesy of the high floor. That could in part be due to the under-seat storage that has neat trays ready for tools or other odds and ends.

Out back, the tray is a good size, although not as deep as some.

But, again, it’s thoughtfulness is on display. There is a 12V power socket in the tray and even the closed tailgate has a sizeable ledge on it that’s perfect for some tools or a morning coffee.

The payload is modest, though, at 973kg, reduced further by whoever or whatever you want to take in the cabin.

The latest Navara update introduced dual-pitch springs to the rear-end, designed to provide compliance unladen without sagging too much with a load on board.

They’re certainly an improvement but still bring compromises, especially when laden. Our 750kg had the softer part of the springs fully compressed and the tail drooping.

It coped well enough with bumps, although the suspension geometry leads to lateral shifting without much cornering force. It’s almost like a double movement, as though the load has shifted mid-corner.

Unladen, the Navara is more composed and it sits nicely over bumps. While some extra dynamism to the steering would be appreciated, it’s otherwise well behaved with lighter loads.

This latest Navara has been a work in progress and it’s now better than ever. Unladen, it has a willing and refined engine and a pleasant cabin. But call on it to work harder and its limitations are more obvious, something that means it won’t suit everyone.