Nissan Navara Dual Cab ST-X 4x4

Dualin' cabs

It's hard appealing to all but Nissan's dual cab sports version for 2007, the Navara ST-X 4x4 turbo diesel makes a good attempt at going the distance in all departments without the immediate flamboyancy of its competitors.

On first looks the Navara ST-X is missing the ‘shock of the new' styling adopted first by the Toyota Hilux and carried over in its own way by the new Mitsubishi Triton equivalents – the latter pair will always have issues over the body shape with some of us, it really is something that time cannot soften with familiarity. The Navara body form has been completely redesigned too, and has its modifications (flared wheel arches, alloy wheels, big rear tail lights, side steps, alloy roll bar and rounded angular lines) but keeps its proportions in check as you would expect with the dual cab configuration.

Stepping behind the wheel for the first time, Nissan have stuck to several welcome universal principles in the Navara, with all the adjusters (for driver's seat height and lumber support, tilt adjustable steering wheel, bonnet latch, lights and wipers on dedicated steering column stalks, electronic 2x4/4x4 switch, right thumb operated three-button cruise control on the steering wheel, air con, heaters, height adjustable headlights and ignition) where you would expect them to be unconsciously and operated as such.

The leather steering wheel is a sports-sized number with the dash perfectly proportioned in its top arch. The driver's seat is an ergonomically moulded number that is great once your in position but does need to be hopped into. Dragging a leg over the raised edge will cause wear eventually and that could be an issue for those thick of thigh.

The interior is grey and black, with driver and front SRS passenger airbags, power windows and mirros, three 12V sockets, AM/FM radio and 6 CD player with six speakers, and storage compartments throughout, including side pockets in all four doors with stubby-sized bulges at the head of each for water bottles and the like. The 60/40 split fold and flip up rear seat has upright back support but good leg room. With three in the back the Navara can take five, but perfect for four big blokes.

At the heart of the ST-X tested is a new technology 126kW 2.5lt common rail turbo diesel. On idling you can just tell that this quiet engine is a diesel but underway it sounds and responds like a petrol motor. Maximum torque of 403Nm kicks in around 2000rpm and this with the turbo surge can propel you through the six gears on a short-shift stick with carlike performance.

The smallish feel of the sports steering wheel seems odd in such a robust vehicle but does add to its driveability and carlike handling. The Navara has ABS with Brake Assist and a good turning circle for a 4x4 but definitely best in two-wheel mode. Switching from 2x4 to 4x4 (dual range) and vice versa is not discernible at any speed, and its spin-of-the-dial operation when jumping from tar to track is another excellent driving feature.

The 2.5lt diesel on a six-speed box and 80lt fuel tank capacity makes for a frugal, long haul vehicle, that will easily cruise at the Northern Territory's maximum highway speed (on selected roads) of 130kmh. The test truck had used little more than a quarter of a tank on the gauge but had covered 300km by that stage, with 80 per cent on urban roads and rarely in top gear. Just right for travelling interstate, to the outback and those well out of the way places.

Nissan have increased the size of the rear bed. It's longer and deeper, plus the ST-X features the manufacturer's Utili-Track load restraint system. Fisherman and tradies will appreciate the truck's hefty 3000kg towing capacity for braked trailers.

Dual cab 4x4s have long cemented their place in the automotive world for being utilitarian, but the new generation vehicles like the Navara ST-X take the concept further adding characteristics like style, creature comforts, performance, safety and handling that are expected as standard in cars.

» Click here for CarPoint's road test on the Nissan Navara ST-X 4x4

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