2022 Nissan Navara

Nissan Navara 2021-2022 Review

One of the more important models in the local Nissan range is not a sedan, SUV, or MPV – but rather a workhorse in the form of the Nissan Navara. Yes, Edaran Tan Chong Motors (ETCM), the local distributor for Nissan products, has over the years diversified the range by an enormous amount including sports cars like the Nissan 370Z and full electric vehicles like the Nissan LEAF – but the Navara endures as do pickups in other manufacturers’ model lineups.

To show just how large the pickup truck market is, and how diverse consumers in terms of their needs and expectations, there are six different variants to choose from – including single cab variants and full on lifestyle models that make high end sedans nervous with the number of features they come packed with.

As is also the case with pickup trucks, the Nissan Navara sees its platform stretch two “generations”, and generally four or more facelifts. While the most current Navara launched this year is a regarded as a new generation, it is the same core product that has been on the market since 2014. This also means that the coil-spring rear live axle design is retained, over the leaf-spring setup that’s more commonly found.

Nissan Navara 2021-2022 Specifications

Across the Nissan Navara range, all models get a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel powerplant. Outputs stand at 190 PS and 450 Nm paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission for every variant, except the 6-speed manual models (SE Manual and Single Cab Manual) which have a lower 163 PS and 403 Nm of torque. Apart from the Single Cab, every variant comes standard with upgraded rear multi-link suspension and dual-rate coil springs for better body control, as well as an Electronic Locking Rear Differential for better traction in sticky situations.

The wheelbase of the Navara spans 3,150 mm, making it one of the larger options in its class. It has an overall length of 5,255 mm, a width of 1,850 mm, and a height of 1,820 mm – making it quite the stout vehicle in terms of overall dimensions. The twin cab variants get a cargo bed that is 1,585 mm long, while the single cab variants are even longer to accommodate more cargo.

Nissan Navara 2021-2022 Exterior

As is the case with many pickup truck models, there is a pretty large variant in terms of looks when it comes to the Nissan Navara range. The wheel choices go from 16-inch steelies with the Single Cab, to 17-inch alloy wheels for the SE to V variants, 18-inch alloys for the VL variant, and 17-inch black PRO-4X alloys specifically for that variant.

The Single Cab gets body-coloured front bumpers, while the SE to VL variants get body-coloured front bumpers with silver accents, and the PRO-4X gets body-coloured front bumpers with orange accents. All variants except the Single Cab get body coloured rear bumpers as opposed to black pieces. The front grille is black for the Single Cab, chrome for the SE to VL variants, and painted black for the top-of-the-line PRO-4X.

In terms of lighting there is a pretty even split across half of the range. The Single Cab to SE variants get halogen headlights, no LED front fog lamps, and regular bulb type taillights. The remaining variants – V to PRO-4X – get quad-LED projector headlamps with LED signature daytime running lights, LED front fog lamps, and LED tail lamps.

Nissan Navara 2021-2022 Interior

The interior of the Nissan Navara isn’t the most complex of situations, with simplistic design and layouts meant more for ease of operation and to be hard wearing through aggressive use.  In terms of accoutrements, the materials go from vinyl in the single cab, to fabric in the SE to V variants, leather for the VL, and leather accented with PRO-4X logos in the PRO-4X model. A standard instrument meter is provided for the Single Cab to SE variants, with a seven-inch full-colour semi-digital display in place for the V to PRO-4X units.

Nissan Navara 2021-2022 Safety Features

Surprisingly enough, the Nissan Navara’s safety features aren’t entirely flat across the range, nor are they limited to just the top-spec PRO-4X model. From the 2.5l V upwards, you get Intelligent Predictive Forward Collision Warning and Emergency Braking as well as Intelligent Driver Alertness as part of the Nissan Intelligent Mobility package. There is also Intelligent Moving Object Detection for the rear camera at this variant level.

Moving up to the VL, that latter feature gets bumped up to include the Intelligent Around View Monitor (bird’s eye view) with Off-Road Mode, as well as Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and High Beam Assist.

On a basic level, all models except the Single Cab variant get Vehicle Dynamic Control, Traction Control System, Active Brake Limited Slip, Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control, and Trailer Sway Assist, as well as an electronic locking rear differential. Airbags are limited to two for all variants up until the V model which gets six airbags, all the way up to the PRO-4X. The VL variant is the sole variant to get a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System as well.

Nissan Navara 2021-2022 Strengths & Weakness

The Nissan Navara may not the most sophisticated pickup truck on the market, nor is it the most powerful – but its ability to carry load as well as its robustness and reliability has earned it the nickname Mother Trucker, both internally and externally. It is decidedly middle ground in terms of powerplant, functionality, and features – which can also work against it at times as it means that nothing about it truly stands out. Nissan doesn’t partake in off-road activities as often as other marques do, but

Nissan Navara 2021-2022 Price

Pricing for the Nissan Navara starts at just RM 91,900 for the 2.5l Single Cab Manual variant. The 2.5l SE Auto variant goes for RM 116,900, while the Manual will set you back RM 110,900. Moving up to the 2.5l V, we see the pricing bump up to RM 125,500, while the 2.5l VL goes up to RM 137,900. The range topper is known as the 2.5l PRO-4X, topping out at RM 142,200. All prices are inclusive of current tax exemptions in place.

Nissan Navara 2021-2022 Features

Standout items when it comes to the Nissan Navara are found in the upper half of the variant list, from the V variant onwards. Items like cruise control, an eight-inch touchscreen display audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality (when offered locally), a six-speaker sound system, automatic dual-zone climate control, and four USB charger ports in addition to two 12-volt ports come as standard. Surprisingly the PRO-4X doesn’t get power adjustable driver seats – that is a feature limited to just the VL variant of the Nissan Navara. Tailgate assist also comes standard for every variant except the Single Cab.

Nissan Navara 2021-2022 Fuel Consumption

There is no official manufacturer quoted fuel consumption for the Nissan Navara in Malaysia, but if we go by the Australian market models you will find that it’s possible to return between 7.2 and 8.1 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres travelled. This translates to between 12.3 and 13.9 kilometres per litre, allowing the Navara to travel great distances before needing to stop for a refuel.