It's coming to Malaysia and we've driven it. Here's all you need to know about it.
1. It has been TopGear-tested
Last year, official distributor Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) flew us to Chiang Mai for a preview of its brand new pickup truck. The roads there are great, its off-road tracks superb. And the new Navara really impressed us while we were there. Here's why...
2. It looks better now
The existing Navara (D40) is often accused of being too square and over-masculine. Nissan has softened the exterior of the Navara based on customer feedback. And it looks much more modern now. The improvements are also more than just skin deep...
3. It's lighter and more aerodynamic
Weight is down by 70kg while the Navara's drag coefficient has dropped from 0.43Cd to a slippery 0.37 thanks to the sleeker body and lighter materials used. The NP300 is, in fact, a smaller truck than the D40 overall...
4. It's a packaging masterstroke
Despite being 5mm lower than the D40, the NP300 Navara has gained 13mm in ground clearance, making it more adept at scaling rocky terrain. A smaller wheelbase (3,150mm vs 3,200mm) tightens the turning radius but doesn't harm cabin space. The cabin itself is quite the draw...
5. The cabin is really car-like
The dashboard is a near carbon-copy of the Nissan Teana. You even get Nissan's signature Zero Gravity seats as well as air con blowers in the back. Its TFT display is similar to those in Infinitis, which is a huge plus point for a truck. And it's comfortable too...
6. There's multi-link suspension
That's right, the Nissan Navara NP300 has multi-links in the back - the first for the pickup truck segment in Malaysia. This gives the ride much more pliance and comfort compared to older offerings riding on leaf springs. It makes driving a breeze too.
7. Its engine is just as neat
Nissan's YD25 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine now makes 16bhp and 47Nm more. It is also supposed to be 11 percent more efficient. We managed to get 13km/l (7.7l/100km) after nearly 100km of regular driving in 2WD. This was done in a 6-speed manual unit.
8. There's also an automatic
A seven-speeder that's not unlike the one used in certain Infiniti models to be precise. It's another segment first, but we'd stick with three pedals as the 7AT is not nearly as engaging or responsive as the 6MT. It makes off-roading easier, though.
9. It's a proper off-roader
The Nissan Navara NP300 4WD powertrain is kitted out with Hill Descent Control, Hill Start Assist, electronic locking rear differential and a brake LSD which makes off-roading, even in the stickiest of terrains, effortless.
10. It's going to go on sale in Malaysia soon
ETCM has released preliminary prices for the Nissan Navara NP300, over a year after we drove it in Chiang Mai. It is estimated to start at RM85,000 for the Single Cab MT, stretching to RM125,000 for the range-topping 2.5VL AT that features all the bells and whistles.