Assessment of the 2018 Nissan Navara ST-X in Wheels Ute Megatest's 8th Edition
2018 Nissan Navara Series III (D23 Facelift): A Smoother Ride for Daily Driving and Off-Road Adventures
The latest iteration of the Nissan Navara, the Series III, has received a significant upgrade in ride quality, making it a more comfortable and refined pickup for both urban and off-road use.
The key to these improvements lies in the updated suspension system, which has been retuned to provide a smoother and more controlled ride, particularly for the dual-cab models. This modification has resulted in the Navara boasting the smoothest bakkie (pickup) ride in its class, offering a good balance between firmness for handling and comfort for everyday use.
The updated suspension system has also contributed to the Navara handling well through corners, with minimized body roll, enhancing driving confidence and stability both with and without a trailer. Comfort features such as an eight-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat further complement these changes, improving overall driver ergonomics and ride comfort.
These enhancements are part of Nissan’s ongoing efforts to address criticisms of the Navara’s previously "agricultural" or harsh ride, making the 2018 Series III model more refined and suitable for a wider range of duties.
The Navara Series III is equipped with a 2.3-liter four-cylinder twin-turbo diesel engine that produces 140kW/450Nm. The engine is reasonably quiet, steps off strongly, revs freely, and offers surprising responsiveness on the fly. The pickup's acceleration performance includes a 0-100km/h time of 9.7 seconds, an 80-120km/h time of 7.0 seconds, and a 100km/h-0m distance of 48.7m.
The Navara's practicality includes plentiful storage, pull-out cupholders, rear-seat air vent fitment, hardy upholstery, and a powered sliding pane in the rear screen. However, the seats are flat and shapeless, providing less support than needed in a vehicle with excessive body movement. The rear-seat backrest is fixed, and there is no second-row center armrest, USB/charge outlets, or beverage holders.
The Navara ST-X 4x4 is a dual-cab on-road vehicle that offers strong, sturdy, spacious, and inviting features, as well as competent off-roading capabilities. The vehicle's dimensions are 5255/1850/1855/3150mm (L/W/H/W-B). It is priced at $54,490 and comes equipped with a 7-speed automatic transmission.
The Navara's dimensions also allow for a tray capacity of 931kg and a braked towing capacity of 3500kg, making it a capable workhorse. The unbraked towing capacity is 750kg. The tyres are Toyo A25 Open Country 255/60R18 108H.
Despite these improvements, the Navara's steering still feels lifeless at speed. The ground clearance is 228mm, and the test fuel average is 11.0L/100km. The weight of the vehicle is 1979kg.
In conclusion, the 2018 Nissan Navara Series III offers a significant improvement in ride quality, making it a more comfortable and refined pickup for daily driving and off-road adventures. Its powerful engine, competent off-roading capabilities, and practical features make it a strong contender in its class. However, it still lacks in certain areas such as steering feel and rear-seat comfort.
The 2018 Nissan Navara Series III, with its updated suspension system, now offers a smoother ride that is suitable for various industries, such as transportation and automotive, where a comfortable driving experience is crucial. This refinement in ride quality, coupled with its powerful engine and competent off-roading capabilities, makes it an attractive option for sports enthusiasts and adventure seekers.
