SA Roadtests
South Africa
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This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. We drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under South African conditions. It also just happens that most of the vehicles we drive are world cars as well, so what you read here probably applies to the models you can get at home.
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Published in The Witness Motoring on Wednesday October 14, 2009
Nissan’s Navara range of double cab pickups has been pitched as workhorses with SUV aspirations, available in two levels of luxury trim, SE and LE.
Broadening the range, an entry-level XE spec was introduced and at the same time, a King (extended single) Cab model joined the lineup, in July. At this stage, the two King Cab models are available only in XE trim with the 2,5 litre turbocharged diesel engine. In order to give buyers more choice and, we suspect, lure them towards the 4x4, its engine gets more turbo thrust to up its power to 128 kW/403 Nm vs the 4x2’s 106 kW/356 Nm.
In the more powerful configuration, the King Cab is rated to tow up to 3 000 kg in addition to its cargo capacity of 1 000 kg and can load a further 100 kg on the roof rack provided. A six-speed manual gearbox looks after putting down the power, while drive is electronically selectable between 2WD, 4 Hi and 4 Lo, with a secondary switch to lock the rear differential as required.
The King Cab affords a choice to those not needing a full double cab, but requiring the security of inside load space for smaller, more valuable or delicate items. There are two covered storage bins. One accommodates the jack and wheel spanner, while the other could be utilised for keeping valuables away from prying eyes.
The stowage space behind the front seats is reachable via rearward-opening “suicide doors” on both sides, providing easy access for larger objects. Rounding off the package is a nice big load bin, so you have one very versatile piece of kit indeed.
The XE spec Navara rides on 16” alloys and features upmarket niceties like colour coded body mouldings, a front-loading CD player for entertainment, electric mirrors and windows, and air-con. Driver and occupant safety is looked after with a pair of airbags, as well as ABS and EBD for effective, stable braking performance.
Although primarily a workhorse, the Navara XE is very comfortably equipped to appeal to consumers. It is expected to satisfy those needing something strong, reliable and able to haul as much cargo as possible without missing a beat, but handsome enough to take home and use on downtime days for family and leisure activities.
On first acquaintance, the ride feels a bit harsh on rough bitumen, but a visit to our favourite section of corrugated dirt road revealed that the Navara actually handles that sort of thing very well. The skittishness we expected did not materialise and the vehicle tracked well.
In common with other commercial vehicles, first and to an extent second gear, are made for low speed grunt work, but the remaining four ratios appear quite closely spaced and the turbo motor pulls well in all gears for satisfying road performance. What this means is that steepish hills, for example, are readily tackled in top gear at 100 to 120 km/h without having to change down.
One sits up high in the Navara with a commanding view of one’s surroundings. Unfortunately, this does not translate into easy manoeuvrability for parking, so this pickup requires a bit more turning and reversing than others we have driven.
When all is said and done, the Navara is a strong and willing load carrier with proven off-road capabilities for all but the most demanding applications and that, despite its posh appearance, is what it’s made for.
The numbers
Price: R320 900
Engine: 2 488 cc 4 cylinder inline common rail diesel, turbocharged
Power: 128 kW at 4 000 rpm
Torque: 403 Nm at 2 000 rpm
Zero to 100 km/h: about 12,5 seconds
Maximum speed: about 180 km/h
Average fuel consumption: approx. 11,6 l/100 km
Fuel tank: 80 litres
Ground clearance: 233 mm
Approach/Departure angles: 29/22 degrees
Warranty: 3 years/100 000 km
Service plan: 3 years/90 000 km
This is a one-man show, which means that road test cars entrusted to me are driven only by me. Some reviewers hand test cars over to their partners to use as day-to-day transport and barely experience them for themselves.
What this means to you is that every car reviewed is given my own personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.
Every car goes through real world testing; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads as well.
I am based in Pietermaritzburg, KZN, South Africa. This is the central hub of the KZN Midlands farming community; the place farmers go to to buy their supplies and equipment, truck their goods to market, send their kids to school and go to kick back and relax.
So occasionally a cow, a goat or a horse may add a little local colour by finding its way into the story or one of the pictures. It's all part of the ambience!
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SA Roadtests
South Africa
ctjag8