Nissan Australia is cashing in on the continued boom in high-end 4×4 dual-cab utes, with the second iteration of the Navara Warrior nameplate set to hit Australian dealers from September 1.
As before, it’s primed to give the Toyota HiLux Rugged X and Ford Ranger Raptor some stiff competition, but equally is designed to lure buyers away from aftermarket accessory providers like ARB.
It’s only sold in Australia and plays a role that no existing fully in-house Nissan can. However, it gets full Nissan factory backing and warranty coverage, which is billed as a key selling point alongside the convenience of buying a pickup post-mods.
The first Warrior project was based on the former flagship Navara grade and was called ‘N-Trek Warrior’. This new one is based on the recently launched new range-topping updated model and is called Pro-4X Warrior.
As we found in our review of the 2021 Navara update, the new Warrior is based on a better vehicle to start with. And once again it has been modified by Melbourne engineering firm Premcar, as you can read all about here.
In short it has a 40mm higher ride height due to modified suspension and chunky all-terrain tyres, reduced primary and increased secondary (rear coil) spring rates, improved dampers, under-body protection, a 100kg GVM upgrade, a steel bullbar, and various tough stylistic enhancements.
Pricing
- 2022 Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior manual: $67,490
- 2022 Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior auto: $69,990
All prices exclude on-road costs.
That makes the Pro-4X Warrior derivation $9360 more expensive than the Pro-4X donor vehicle. It’s also $3700 more expensive than the old N-Trek Warrior derivative.
How does this $69,990 price for the volume-selling automatic Pro-4X Warrior stack up against the competitor set?
- Ford Ranger Raptor: $77,690
- Ford Ranger FX4 Max: $66,190
- Jeep Gladiator Night Eagle: $68,450
- Mazda BT-50 Thunder: $68,990 drive-away
- Toyota HiLux Rugged X: $69,990
- Volkswagen Amarok W580: $71,990
All prices exclude on-road costs unless otherwise specified. Links are to our most recent reviews.
Engines
While Premcar says it could have done some engine tuning, the decision was made to leave it alone to keep pricing reasonable. So, it’s unchanged over the regular Navara.
The powertrain in question is a 2.3-litre diesel four-cylinder with two turbos that operate at different engine speeds.
Outputs are 140kW of power at 3750rpm and 450Nm between 1500 and 2500rpm.
Transmissions to choose from are a six-speed manual or seven-speed auto.
The driveline is part-time 4×4 with low-range and a locking rear diff. The braked-trailer towing capacity remains 3.5 tonnes.
Fuel Economy
The regular Pro-4X Navara uses a claimed 8.1 litres per 100km on the combined cycle test, but we suspect this heavier Warrior might use a smidgen more dinosaur juice.
Dimensions
The Navara dual-cab is 5311mm long, 1875mm wide, and runs on a 3150mm wheelbase.
The Warrior version sits 40mm higher thanks to lifted suspension, has a 30mm wider track, and a 4.0-degree greater approach angle.
Servicing and Warranty
The Navara Pro-4X Warrior has a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty like the wider Nissan range.
Maintenance is required every 12 months or 20,000km, whichever comes first.
“… You’re supported, just like any other Navara owner would be,” says Nissan Australia’s senior manager of local product development and enhancement, Matt Baily.
“The same goes for servicing and capped-price servicing, ensuring our customers get the best OEM and Premcar equipment, with everything taken care of by your Nissan dealer.”
Safety
The Navara has a five-star rating based on ANCAP testing conducted in 2015.
That rating was based on a frontal offset score of 14.01 out of 16, a side impact score of 16 out of 16, and pedestrian and whiplash protection scores of Marginal and Good, respectively. All models come standard with seven airbags.
Standard active safety features added to the 2021 Navara update and carried over to the Pro-4X Warrior include:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Driver monitoring
- Lane-departure alert
- Lane-keeping aid – braking
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Surround-view camera
- Off-road monitor camera
Standard Equipment
- Winch-compatible Nissan Genuine bullbar
- Front light bar
- Red bash plate and 3mm under-body plating
- 275/70 R17 Cooper Discoverer AT3 tyres
- Full-size alloy spare wheel and tyre
- 100kg GVM upgrade to 3250kg
- Payload increase over N-Trek Warrior, to 961kg
- Increased ground clearance: 220mm to 260mm
- Wider track: 1570mm to 1600mm
- Improved approach angle: 32 degrees to 36 degrees
- New spring rates for more front-end support and less body roll
- Revised front and rear damping for better compliance, improved isolation from impacts and reduced float when carrying a load
- Larger and taller jounce bumper for better control of wheel movement at maximum suspension travel, reduced transmission of large impacts
- Warrior-specific fender flares
- Warrior decal pack
- Warrior headrest embroidery
Outside
- LED headlights and tail lights
- Auto high-beam
- LED daytime running lights
- Reverse parking sensors
- Electric sliding rear window
- Black side steps and roof rails
- Auto-folding side mirrors with heating
- Proximity key access
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Darkened rear privacy glass
Inside
- Leather-accented seats
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- Dual-zone climate control with rear vents
- Push-button start
- 8.0-inch touchscreen with satellite-navigation
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wired)
- Six speaker audio
- Digital radio
- 360-degree camera system
- 3 x USB-A points and 1 x USB-C point
- 7.0-inch driver display with digital speedo
Click the images for the full gallery
