Review:Greater appeal for Nissan Navara Tekna

Since its introduction in 2015, Nissans latest Navara has brought much-needed ride comfort and convenience to a predominantly utilitarian sector.

clock • 2 min read
Review:Greater appeal for Nissan Navara Tekna

Since its introduction in 2015, Nissan's latest Navara has brought much-needed ride comfort and convenience to a predominantly utilitarian sector.

And you can thank the multi-link rear suspension for most of that.

The competition is fierce, though, and not one to rest on its laurels, the Japanese maker has been fettling once more.

Not much new here you might think, as it still looks like any other Navara Tekna, but with fancy wheels and LED headlights.

But scratch beneath the surface and the mid-life tweaks make a lot more sense.

Upgraded in-cab technologies are backed up by a tweaked engine and a revised manual gearbox - the latter brings a shorter lever and revised ratios too, building on fuel efficiency.

The 2.3DCi remains a twinturbo 190hp unit, but lower compression and revised coatings on internal parts frees up a little more efficiency from the venerable oil burner.

Meeting Euro6D emissions sees a new exhaust system with integral DPF and SCR components too, requiring AdBlue.

On-paper fuel efficiency seems generous at 41mpg, and is 9mpg better than any of our efforts. But how does it drive?

Longevity

First gear still feels low, but for those making the most of its 3.5-tonne towing limit, this should add longevity to the clutch.

At the opposite end of the spectrum we often found ourselves wanting to be a gear lower when cruising, which means you will soon become familiar with the shorter throw, low effort lever.

It seems sixth really is reserved for motorway speeds, though there is always the seven-speed auto for those who do not want to dance with three pedals.

Brakes do get a useful upgrade. Front discs are up in diameter from 296mm to 320mm, and the rear drum brakes have now been replaced by discs, helping to reduce pedal force and build driver confidence.

This is useful, given the doublecab has gained between 54-114kg of extra payload, depending on specification.

Those better brakes also make it easier for the integration of an intelligent trailer sway assist system, which detects yaw and applies minor corrections through individual wheel braking and engine torque reduction.

Steering effort has been lightened, thanks to front suspension changes, though the steering column still offers adjustment in one plane only, so you never get truly comfortable in this cab.

Software

A larger 8in (formerly 7in) touchscreen with improved software now fills the dash with Nissan's Connect Services app, offering telematics through a built-in 4G device without needing to share mobile phone data.

The new system finally gains compatibility with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay too.

For all its misgivings, the Navara's ride quality remains one of the best among its contemporaries when unladen.

And with a 25mm lift in rear suspension height and two-stage coil springs, that looks set to continue even with some weight in the back.

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