Pre-loved: Nissan Navara 2010-2023

by Ewan Kennedy  2005 Nissan Navara   Nissan Australia was ahead of the field in realising that dual-cab pickup trucks were going to be m...

by Ewan Kennedy 

2005 Nissan Navara

 

Nissan Australia was ahead of the field in realising that dual-cab pickup trucks were going to be major sellers in Australia.

Many are being used as family cars, not just working vehicles.

From November, 2005 it began importing a second Navara model, the D40.

It sold alongside the D22 Navara which was a hard-working model loved by tradies.

The Navara has built up an excellent reputation over many years as a tough, no-nonsense vehicle when worked hard in rugged Aussie conditions.

Nissan D40 Navara is sold in a variety of bodies, everything from a bare cab-chassis, though single cab and extended cab to a full four-door.

We are concentrating on the four-door models in this report.

These are large vehicles so the rear seats can take three adults, though, as is generally the way, two and a child will be more comfortable.

There's good head and legroom in all seats.

Comfort isn't to sedan standards but the ride is generally fine on good roads.

However, Navara can be bounced around on worn bitumen or dirt, particularly if lightly loaded.

They have been improved over the years as suspension tuners have worked on it.

Navara is sold in 2WD and 4WD, the former makes sense if you really only want a family truck, but most people tend to go for the 'tuff' look they feel the 4WD provides.

Power for D40 Navaras comes from 4.0-litre V6 petrol or a pair of turbo-diesels; 2.5-litre four or 3.0-litre six.

May, 2015 saw the introduction of Navara pickup D23 series.

It was offered with two rear suspension systems: a low-cost leaf-spring one for the lower cost working vehicle, and a sophisticated five-link setup that forms the basis for the dual-cabs we are reviewing.

Large mudguards which are widened in some versions of the Navara to cope with larger tyres and add to the sporty appearance.

Inside, the big Nissan looks more car-like than pickup with a dash design that wouldn't be out of place in a car.

Quality materials are used throughout, certainly not the sort of low-grade plastics once seen in light trucks.

After the release of the D23, which is only available with four-cylinder engines, the D40 remained in production only with the V6 and automatic transmission.

A Navara Series 2 version was introduced in March, 2017.

It featured the Nissan V-motion motif in the grille and the bold look.

A major improvement was 'spinal support' front seats that reduce fatigue by distributing body pressure on the seating surface.

Work a try if your back, like mine, isn't as good as it used to be.

An Advanced Drive Assist Display provides multiple screen options in the centre of the dashboard.

All five seats in dual cab models have three-point emergency locking retractor seatbelts.

The front seatbelts have height adjustment, again as a variety of different sizes of family members are going to sit there.

A sliding glass panel in the rear cabin window is a handy feature -- dogs just love being able to stick their noses into the cabin.

A facelifted version of the D23 was introduced in 2020 along with the introduction of the Pro-4X trim level.

Renault and Mercedes-Benz offered reskinned versions of the Navara from 2016.

The Renault Alaskan was not offered here, while the Benz X-Class was sold here from 2017 until 2020 when it was finally discontinued (no one was fooled).

Insurance is about average for the class and we don't know of any great variance from company to company.

We suggest that it's not a good ideal to change insurers too often as it's wise to set up an extended relationship with anyone.

2005 D22 Navara

 

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Off-road use isn't common though we have seen a quite a few on beaches. Look for sand and dried salt underneath.

Bush driving may be indicated by scratches in doors, sills and on the corners.

Some may have minor dings and scratches in the tray. One that's heavily damaged may be an indicator of heavy-duty commercial use.

Check over the interior of the cabin for signs of hard use.

An engine that's reluctant to start when it's stone cold could be on its way out.

If you have any doubts after these basic inspections get the truck up on a hoist and look for damage in all areas.

Radiators seem to suffer as their mounting is rather low.

Listen for rattles from the front of the engine that may indicate a loose timing chain -- valves hitting pistons can cost a lot of money!

On a manual feel for a slipping clutch and/or gears that bind or crunch during changes. A quick change down to third is often the first to suffer.

2015 D23 Navara ST-X

 

HOW MUCH?

Expect to pay from $42,900 - $58,400 for a 2023 Navara PRO-4X Warrior; $22,950 - $33,550 for a 2023 D23 SL D23 Manual 4x2; $29,750 - $42,250 for a 2021 D23 ST-X Auto 4x4; $25,700 - $38,100 for a 2019 D23 N-Trek Series 4 Auto 4x4; $21,000 to $29,000 for a 2017 Ti; $19,100 - $29,650 2019 D23 RX Series 4 Auto 4x4; $17,100 - $26,900 for a 2018 D23 Silverline Series 3 Manual 4x4; $13,300 - $22,850 for a 2017 D23 ST Series 3 Manual 4x2; $17,600 - $29,050 for a 2017 D23 ST-X N-Sport Black Edition Series 2 Manual 4x4; $17,050 - $28,300 for a 2016 D23 ST-X Series 2 Auto 4x4; $14,650 - $25,050 for a 2015 D23 N-TEC Auto 4x4; $8950 - $17,150 for a 2015 D22 ST-R Series 5 Manual 4x4; $8750 - $18,700 for a 2014 D40 Titanium Series 7 Auto 4x4; $9,600 - $21,150 for a D40 ST-X 550 Series 5 Auto 4x4; $6750 - $15,950 for a 2013 D40 ST-X Series 8 Auto 4x4 or $4700 - $11,800 for a 2013 D40 RX Series 8 Manual 4x2.

2017 Nissan Navara Series II

 

CAR BUYING TIPS

Take a friend with you when shopping for a used car.

That way they can keep the chattering sales person at bay while you check out the car without interruptions.

Used car prices have generally increased during the period of new car stock shortages.

Start looking at adverts for used vehicles several months before you intend buying.

That way you can get a feel for the price being asked and whether they are rising and falling, as dealers need to clear stock due to overcrowding.

Keep an eye on adverts for new cars that say there are specials on particular models.

This can lead to a lot of traded-ins taking up too much space in yards and they will be discounted to get rid of them.

Keep an eye open for ads of unpopular cars, as there can vary greatly in price.

Owners struggling to find a buyers may be forced to grit their teeth and drop their asking price.

If checking a used car at a dealership look at other cars on the lot. 

This can provide an insight into the quality of the vehicles in which the dealer specialises.

If buying privately ask for proof of ownership and make sure the insurance covers you for taking a test drive.

Take a slow walk around any car you're considering, looking for obvious defects.

It amuses us how many people dive into tiny details, only to discover later a major ding somewhere on the other side of the car.

Ideally any road test of a car you're getting serious about should be done with the engine stone cold. Early morning is best.

If you're serious about buying a vehicle, tell the seller you would like to take it for a good long test drive.

If they insist on coming that's understandable, but try to avoid them "selling” the car to you.

Put bluntly, ask them to shut up,

In their later years, cars with a reputation for being long lived and trouble free sometimes attract buyers who have no intention of ever servicing them.

The next owner may suffer as a result.

2017 Renault Alaskan

2018 Mercedes-Benz X-Class

 

RECALLS

To browse recalls on all vehicles go to the ACCC at: www.productsafety.gov.au/products/transport/cars/

 

BE SURE TO CHECKOUT OUR OTHER USED CAR REPORTS