Nissan Navara 2015 Review
Nissan Navara 2015 Aggregated Reviews |
| Cars Guide: 6/10 |
| Motoring: 7.9/10 |
| The Motor Report: 8/10 |
| Car Advice: 7.5/10 |
| Product Review: 7/10 |
| Combined total score: 7.28/10 |
We love:
- 3,500kg towing capacity
- Decent media system
- Comfortable to drive without a load
Pain points:
- Safety should be better
- Noisy engine even for a ute
Nissan Navara 2015 review
2015 marked the first total update of the Nissan Navara in ten years. It's a very Australian choice, but people now expect comfort in a ute, not just a practical workhorse.
Nissan has responded with a model that's softer inside and tougher outside, with a much larger payload and tow capacity than its predecessor. But have they done enough?
Exterior of the Nissan Navara 2015
Even though this is a 'clean sheet rebuild' Nissan has carried over a lot of the original chassis. The new Navara has 16-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights and headlights, and an alloy sports bar.
Image courtesy of Cars Guide
It's styled more than previous models, blending a tough truck stance with a nod to elegance. Any embellishments add a practical function to justify their presence, like the tailgate lip that acts as a tray for water bottle or coffee when parked.
The rear window has a remote electric panel which can slide down - a feature not found on many modern utes - allowing you to cool the cabin faster on a hot day, and reach into the tub from inside the cab.
Inside the Nissan Navara 2015
The interior is designed to be hard wearing and easy to clean. You'll find 10 cupholders (two each if you have five occupants!) and plenty of other storage space. Passenger and driver seats are comfortable and adjustable, with good visibility. The only thing lacking is reach adjustment for the steering wheel.
The child seat fittings are a top-loop system rather than the simple ISOFIX or anchor restraints, so be sure to check out how this works if you're travelling with young children.
Image courtesy of Cars Guide
There are rear air vents, big storage spaces in the doors, and seven airbags including a full-length curtain airbag on each side.
There's no reversing camera in low spec options, which is definitely an oversight in such a big car, and wouldn't cost a lot to include. You can get an aftermarket camera installed for not too much cost.
Connectivity
The Nissan Navara NP300 ST model has a 5.0-inch touchscreen and reverse camera, with Bluetooth phone and audio. There's USB and AUX connection at the centre console. The higher spec models ST and ST-X also have smartphone integration for Facebook, Google search and Pandora.
There are three 12V sockets in the cabin and a weatherproof one in the tray to power devices.
What's it like to drive a Nissan Navara 2015?
Rough terrain is actually smoothed out with a coil spring rear end multi-link suspension system, which at the time of release was a first for a dual cab ute in Australia.
It's well-balanced and even without the traction control switched on, smoothes out bumps over washed-out back roads. Driving this dual cab ute feels more like you're in a cushioned SUV.
The tray rides smoothy: Image courtesy of Cars Guide
The driver's display allows you to select what you see, including tachometer, speedometer, fuel economy, distance to empty, audio information and navigation.
Once you're on the road, you'll find you can tow on or off road with ease, overtaking comfortably on the highway. There's a three-year, 100,000 kilometre warranty with capped price servicing for around $600 each year.
Who's the Nissan Navara 2015 for?
With spinal support offered in the seats of the ST and ST-x, the 2015 Nissan Navara makes a sensible choice for commercial buyers whose employees spend long hours at the wheel.
It'll comfortably cross the divide from weekend warrior, family car and daily driver, providing the capacity you expect from a working ute.
It's a mid-field competitor, somewhere between the Ford Ranger or BT-50 and the Mitsubishi Triton.
Feature Summary
Price: $21,524-47,000
Engine: 2.3L single or twin-turbo diesel V6 140kW/450Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic or six-speed manual
Wheels: 16-18 inch steel alloy depending on spec level
Safety: 5 star ANCAP
Fuel: 9.4L/100km
Emissions: 283g/km
AV and tech: 5-inch touchscreen
Seats: 5
Doors: 4
You can finance a Nissan Navara 2015 from $120/week*, get a quick quote to find out exactly what it will cost to embrace your true style.
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Tom Caesar is the Managing Director of The Positive Group, a group of Australian financial services companies offering a broad range of finance to clients Australia wide. The Positive Group assist clients in the areas of car finance, mortgages, insurance & wealth management. Tom has been in car & asset finance for over 10 years. Tom regularly contributes articles on car finance, insurance, technology and business growth, drawing on his experience of starting his own brokerage in 2009.