Nissan Navara ST-R

If you’re in the market for a versatile machine to tow your pride and joy around, it’s hard to go past a dual-cab ute.

For its multi-tasking abilities, the dual-cab has to be about the best bet on the market today. The recent popularity of utes has really brought them under the manufacturers’ microscopes, and hence they’ve come from being mere tools of trade to being comfortable conveyances for work or play.

A few months ago, Nissan improved the styling, safety and functionality of its sporty ST-R ute, which has really gained favour in the Aussie marketplace.

The ST-R now comes with chrome power mirrors, revised interior colours, revised suspension and wider 265/70R16 all-terrain tyres.

On the safety front, Nissan has fitted a standard driver’s side airbag and front seatbelt pre-tensioners, and an optional passenger’s side airbag is also available for $450.

While prices of the Navara range start from as low as $19,990 for a single-cab in poverty-pack DX trim, we grabbed a drive of the luxurious ST-R Dual Cab fitted with the popular 3.0lt turbo-diesel engine.

For towing purposes, this is a really handy and economical ute. The turbo-diesel engine is called the ZD30 and has the output figures of 110kW of power at 3400rpm and 314Nm of torque at a low 2000rpm. The engine is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox and a two-speed transfer case with a low reduction of 2.02:1.

Also standard is a limited-slip rear diff so that no matter how slippery the ramp is, you should be able to haul the boat out with no drama.

The rated towing capacity of 3000kg is pretty impressive for a Japanese one-tonne ute, and if our test with TB’s Quintrex behind is anything to go by, it should do it quite comfortably as well.

The gearbox gives a good spread of gears, but for towing the fifth-gear overdrive of 0.76 might be a bit tall. However, the direct-drive fourth is great on the road whether towing or not.

Inside, the ST-R is stacked with all the conveniences of a modern sedan — and then some. Air conditioning, power windows and mirrors, central locking, CD player, full instrumentation and comfortable seating for five with cloth trim are all standard fare.
The only inclusion I’d like to see would be cruise control, which is omitted.

On the road the ST-R is quiet for a diesel and remarkably tractable. The ride is smoothish but it can buck at the rear due to the tight leaf springs. It’s actually better with a bit of a load on. The ute handles well and feels well braked.

Overall, the Nissan Navara ST-R is a great package. It feels robust and powerful yet has the good looks, styling and appointments to serve as a day-to-day vehicle without frustrating the owner. As a tow vehicle, anyone would be impressed.