Nissan Navara SL 2017 review

The SL shares the same 3150mm wheelbase, 5255mm length and 1850mm width of the RX it's based on but with its bigger tyres it shares the ST's larger 12.4 metre turning circle. It also sticks with the coil-spring live rear axle common to all Navara dual cab utes.

The interior offers a tasteful mix of piano black, grey vinyl and satin chrome highlights with contrasting white stitching on the dark grey cloth seat trim, which is in stark contrast to the hose-me-out grey vinyl floor. Front occupant comfort is good overall, with a big grab handle on the window pillar making easy entry for the front passenger. However, driver comfort would be improved with some rake adjustment on the driver's seat base cushion.

Mark Oastler The interior offers a tasteful mix of piano black, grey vinyl and satin chrome highlights with contrasting white stitching on the dark grey cloth seat trim.

Large grab handles on both B pillars assist entry for rear-seat passengers. However, for taller adults the low base cushion height relative to the floor results in raised knees and upper thighs, which can become uncomfortable on longer journeys. Rear-seat headroom for tall adults is marginal and there's plenty of shoulder and elbow rubbing if you're carrying three back there. Realistically, like most of today's dual-cab utes, the Navara is a four-seater that can carry five on shorter trips.

Our only major gripe is the warning chime if the driver's door is opened with the key in the ignition - even if the engine has been switched off. Having to remove the key before you open the door each time, just to avoid setting off this chime, is annoying and unnecessary in these days of remote entry.

Mark Oastler 16-inch steel wheels with larger tyres in a unique 225/70R16 7J size come as standard.

The Navara SL 4x4 dual cab ute is available with a choice of standard six-speed manual transmission or optional seven-speed automatic, like our test vehicle ($46,490). As you'd expect, this pricing slots in neatly between the $42,490 RX auto and $49,490 ST auto. It also looks razor sharp against rival in-betweeners including Ford's Ranger XLS auto ($50,290), Holden's Colorado LT auto ($49,190), Isuzu's D-MAX LS-M auto ($48,500) and Toyota's Hilux SR auto ($48,560).

Mark Oastler Cabin-storage options include a bottle holder and storage pocket in each front door.

The extra $4,000 you pay for an SL over an RX brings some significant upgrades, including the ST's superb twin-turbo version of the 2.3-litre four-cylinder diesel (RX is only single turbo) with an extra 20kW of power, 47Nm of torque and 46kg of kerb weight compared to the RX. The SL buyer also gets full-length side steps, 16-inch steel wheels with larger tyres in a unique 225/70R16 7J size, full cargo tub liner, reversing camera, LED headlamps with daytime running lights and NissanConnect smartphone integration.

Mark Oastler The SL comes with a full-size spare.

The Navara SL is easy to live with when carting up to four occupants in typical suburban, city and rural driving. The twin-turbo's 450Nm of torque and sweet-shifting seven-speed auto provide lively response at all speeds and good fuel economy, aided by the relatively light 1928kg kerb weight.

The only negative here is the heavy, lifeless feel of the steering, which lacks the precise and clearly defined changes in turning weight (light at lower speeds, firm at higher speeds) shared by the benchmark Ford Ranger and VW Amarok.

Its load-carrying capacity is also satisfactory for light to medium loads up to 500kg, but the coil-spring rear suspension exposes its only major shortcoming under maximum GVM loading. We secured 770kg in the cargo bed, which, with our two-man crew equalled a 940kg payload, or about 40kg under its maximum 982kg rating.

The nose rose 9mm and the rear compressed 81mm, which is an improvement on the ST with the same 16-inch wheel diameter we tested in 2016, which compressed 120mm with about 140kg less payload. Even so, a quick look under the tail revealed that, like its predecessor, the rear coils had compressed to a point where the load was largely being supported by the solid rubber cones which sit outboard of the coils on each side of the axle housing.

The Navara's excellent engine-transmission combination made light work of hauling this 940kg payload up our 2km 13 per cent gradient set climb.

Although these are designed to progressively engage with the chassis rails as a second stage of damping under such heavy loads, it is still in effect like riding on extended bump stops. It feels that way, too, particularly on bumpy roads.

Even so, the Navara's excellent engine-transmission combination made light work of hauling this 940kg payload up our 2km 13 per cent gradient set climb, easily maintaining the 60km/h speed limit in fourth gear at 2000rpm with the right foot barely touching the throttle pedal.

Engine braking on the way down, using the manual shift function to lock in second gear, was impressive for such a small cubic capacity engine. With close to a tonne on board, it maintained the 60km/h speed limit on over-run, with only one prod of the brake pedal required at the steepest point to avoid the engine reaching its 4500rpm soft redline.

Highway cruising is relaxed with only 1800rpm at 100km/h and 2000rpm at 110km/h. These figures are also smack bang in the middle of its peak torque zone between 1500-2500rpm, which shows the overdriven top gear ratio has been finely tailored for this task.

Engine noise and tyre roar are negligible at these speeds, with the loudest noise being some minor wind whistle around the big door mirrors. Ride quality and grip with the four-coil spring suspension is good on a variety of road surfaces, from smooth bitumen freeways to patchwork back roads and loose gravel tracks.

This Nissan comes with a three year/100,000km warranty plus three-year 24 Hour Roadside Assistance Program. Servicing is every 12 months or 20,000km, whichever comes first. Capped-price servicing applies to the  first six scheduled services up to 120,000km with costs varying between $547.00 (minimum) and $738.00 (maximum) per service.