Nissan Navara NP300 Single Cab DX Cab-Chassis 4x2 2016 review

A sign of how competitive Australia’s LCV market has become is that Nissan (and a few rivals) continues to offer a petrol-powered ute like the DX Single Cab 4x2 in its current NP300 range.

According to the latest ABS stats the number of LCVs sold with diesel engines in Australia since 2010 has grown by a whopping 63 per cent, so petrol-powered models are fighting for what sales remain in a rapidly decreasing segment.

However, if you’re a ute manufacturer and you want to be a leading player in this game, you have to provide a variant to satisfy every buyer. And in that context, the cheapest NP300 Navara is a strong contender (at $24,993 drive-away with tray), in a specialised work-only market where function thumps form and purchase price is king.

Design

Being an entry-level model the Navara DX comes with a basic make-up kit which favours black plastic over chrome and vinyl flooring over carpet. However its chunky styling and satisfying door thud exude a look and feel of solid quality. The way the bonnet kicks up sharply at the sides is form over function, however, as it obscures the driver’s lower front quarter views which is not handy in dense city traffic or tight parking spots.

The high grade finish extends to the cabin where a DX driver won’t feel like they’re at the bottom of the food chain. The use of cloth and faux-metal trim brings functionality with a dash of style to the infamous restrictions of single cabs with their minimal storage space, rear window right behind your head and limited seat adjustment.

Our DX’s genuine Nissan aluminium tray (steel also available) looks long enough to land a small plane on.

The list of standard features is impressive for a base model, with seven SRS airbags, AUX/USB/iPod/Bluetooth connectivity and three 12-volt power sockets. The cruise control is great to use and the six-way adjustable driver’s seat has excellent lumbar support, even though the base cushion feels a bit short for proper thigh support.

Our only gripes were the lack of reach adjustment on the steering wheel (common to all NP300s) and fluctuating volume on the radio’s AM band (too bad if you like talkback).

About town

The 2.5 litre QR25DE petrol engine is shared by other local Nissans including the X-Trail and Altima. 122kW at 6000rpm highlights its peaky and free-revving nature, which is well matched to the ratios of an easy shifting six-speed manual.

Being able to carry the largest and longest load is top priority for some ute buyers, so the greater cabin space and driver comfort of an extra cab or dual cab must be sacrificed to accommodate the longest tray available.

With an external length of just over 2.5 metres, our DX’s genuine Nissan aluminium tray (steel also available) looks long enough to land a small plane on. The drop sides are rattle-free and it can swallow a substantial 1228kg payload (minus the tray weight). A reversing camera or audible alarm would be handy given its length and overhang, but apparently too much to ask for at this price level.

Overall the handling feels as balanced and sure-footed as you could expect from a workhorse.

Without a load on board the DX is a reasonably nimble performer around town with a light and positive gearshift, clutch and steering feel. However, big rear leaf springs designed to support big payloads can deliver big jolts for occupants over bumps, so the ride quality is at its best with at least 300-400kg in the tray. It’s also rated to tow up to 1588kg braked and 750kg without.

The petrol’s 238Nm of torque at 4000rpm is competitive in this category, but pales by comparison to the 2.3-litre turbodiesel available on the next rung up the Navara ladder (RX) with 403Nm and a 130 kg bigger payload. A thirst of 9.9L/100 km compared to the diesel’s 6.6L/100 km is more evidence of why the petrol engine’s dominance of the local ute market is in decline.

On the road

The DX’s manual gearbox with overdrive sixth has a good spread of ratios well matched to the peakier power and torque characteristics of the petrol engine. Its diff ratio (3.916:1) is slightly lower than the diesel’s (3.538:1) to compensate for the smaller serving of torque, but you’ll still find yourself reaching for more of the lower gears than a diesel on a loaded climb. The DX will certainly get the job done, but working harder at higher revs with a greater thirst.

The DX rides lower than any other Navara on its standard issue 15-inch steel rims and 195/R15C tyres. They are too small to fill the cavernous wheel arches but do result in a lower ride height and therefore lower centre of gravity for sharper handling response. This is backed by all the usual dynamic safety systems that justify its five-star safety rating. Overall the handling feels as balanced and sure-footed as you could expect from a workhorse designed primarily to carry more than a tonne on its back.