Introduction
Nissan has just revealed its latest top of the range dual cab ute, now called the Navara Pro-4x Warrior.
It clearly has a macho image, and name, but is it just a show pony or a credible off-roader?
The power train is the same as the previous model (the N-Trek) but the suspension and design have had some work.
At the launch we talked to Nissan and their contracted engineering company PremCar on how they identify customer needs and go about developing the extra bits that turn the Navara into a Warrior.
And we drove it through on bush tracks, on the highway, and all the roads in between.
Why go with a manufacturer’s off-road package?
Many serious adventurers upgrade their utility in areas such as the suspension, tyres, winches, and other equipment, at times spending tens of thousands of dollars.
Manufacturers such as Toyota, Ford and Nissan believe, with reasonable justification, that the customer is well served if they provide packages to met this part of the market. In this way all the features are covered under the warranty, modifications have been tested and approved to ADR requirements, the modifications have been designed to ensure that there are no unintended consequences and you do not need to enter into any discussions with your insurance company (at the time of taking out the policy and/or after a claim) about the impact of the modifications.
Exterior
The Pro-4X Warrior makes a statement with its exterior looks. The front bumper bar is a bull bar that juts out like a Hollywood cowboy’s jaw.
It is winch capable but the actual winch is an optional extra.
The bull bar design which is standard on the vehicle does not have loop sections up around the headlights but this, again, is another option.
Under the front rollbar/bumper-bar is a new bright red bash plate with the name Navara boldly cut into its structure. The roll bar in the tray has the more structural appearance, the flares over the guards and the large Pro-4X Warrior decals on the hindquarter of the side panel leave you in no doubt about the macho image of the car.
Ground clearance has increased from 220mm to 260mm. The approach angle has also improved from 32 degrees to 36 degrees while the departure angle has decreased but only by 0.8 of a degree down to 19 degrees.
Interior
The interior remains pretty much as it was in the N-Trek, the first interaction of the Warrior model name.
The dial layout in front of the driver is traditional with a tacho on the left and speedo on the right and a large 7-inch screen in the middle for information. Not fancy graphics but eminently readable.
There’s an 8-inch infotainment screen, which also shows around viewing monitoring with moving object detection and it takes able CarPlay and Android Auto.
The layout is similar to most dual-cab utes although the Navara does have a small hatch window in the back window out to the tray, that you can electronically open and shut.
The interior now has “Warrior” headrest embroidery.
There are a few features that are available on the luxury model Navaras that are not available on the Warrior.
Powertrain and suspension
The engine remains the same: a 2.3 litre common-rail four-cylinder twin-turbo diesel which is a little bigger in capacity than the Ford Ranger, but smaller than the Toyota Hilux.
The Warrior’s 140 kilowatts and 450 Nm of torque are not class-leading but not far behind and certainly not inadequate. The engine is matched to either a six-speed manual or a 7-speed automatic gearbox. Toyota’s Hilux has a six-speed automatic while the Ford Range has a ten-speed automatic.
The Pro-4X Warrior has a combined fuel consumption is 8.1 litres per 100 kms but that comes from a good highway result of 7.0 l/100 km but struggling a bit with its urban figure of 10.1 l/100 which is not class-leading.
Driving Impressions
It is somewhat traditional to quickly jump to how an off-road capable vehicle like this handles the rough stuff.
The first impression, however, is on the highway because that is the way you get to the more remote locations.
For all its macho name, looks and talk of beefed-up suspension, it was really very good on the open highway. It is shod with 275/70/R17 Cooper Discoverer All Terrain AT3 tyres. They have good tread depth but they are not the absolute chunky off-roaders that you can hear coming on bitumen from a kilometre away and make you think about ear plugs when you are inside the vehicle.
For large dual cab ute, the Warrior is really a comfortable touring vehicle that does not wear you out just getting to the start of the adventurous roads.
We also drove it through the hinterland west of Coffs Harbour in the northern part of NSW, with a mixture of moderately graded dirt roads, down to very narrow and slippery bush tracks and creek crossings. There had been and continued to be some heavy rain.
The cars ahead of us showed good suspension travel. When the mud was thick the vehicle might have been a bit better with more chunky tyres but it was not a problem. It was easy to get into a comfortable approach at the right speed that, when the car was slipping in an unexpected direction the best think was not to try and correct it as though you were opposite locking on a race track, frantic yanking at the wheel, but to apply enough steering and let the car pull its self out.
We drove the automatic models and you were hardly aware of the effort of the powertrain.
Assistance and Safety Features
The Warrior has a good range of vehicle control systems, including
- blind spot monitoring,
- active collision forward warning.
- Cameras on the side and the front,
- driver attention detection,
- lane departure warning,
- active lane keep assist and
- driver fatigue warning.
And for the adventurer there’s Hill Descent control, Hill Hold and tray trailer sway devices.
It was good to see that it also had a driver’s knee airbag.
But you cannot option up some features that are available on the luxury Navaras such as seat warmers.
Good Features
- Good Touring vehicle
- 952 kg Pay load
- Predicable and competent off road
Not So Good
- Urban fuel consumption
- A few comfort features not available
- Typical room in the back is for younger people
Also look at
- Toyota Hilux Rugged X
- Ford Range Raptor X
Model: 2021 Nissan Pro-4X Warrior
Model Price: $69,990 (auto), $67,490 (Manual) MLP*
Engine: 2.3L 4 Cyl Twin Turbo diesel
Drivetrain: Dual Range 4×4 7 speed Auto
Power: 140kW at 3750rpm
Torque: 450 Nm from 1,500rpm
Safety: Navara Five Star ANCAP 2015
CO2 Emissions: 213 g/km
Economy ADR: 8.1 L/100km combined
Tow Capacity: 3500 Kg
Tow Ball Rating: N/A
Payload: 952 Kg
Servicing: 12mths/ “We’ll let you know how much you are likely to pay”
Warranty: 5yr/unlimited warranty (unless used as a commercial vehicle then the limit is 200,000kms)
Road Side Assist: 5 Yr. conditional roadside assist (part of a package you can purchase)
