2018 Nissan Navara ST Black Edition Review

2018 Nissan Navara – The big-selling Nissan Navara is now available in two special edition models – Silverline and Black Edition.

The new offerings come along at the same time as a series of changes come into the Nissan Navara range for 2019 (details below).

I got along to the Australian launch of the special edition models and got a chance to have an extensive drive of the Nissan Navara.

Based on the ST-grade Navara, the Black Edition adds:

Black 18″ alloys
All-terrain tyres
Black sports bar
Black wheel arch flares
Black nudge bar
LED light bar
Soft tonneau cover
Protective tubliner
Black front grille
Black mirror caps
Black fog lamp surrounds
Smoked bonnet protector
Mobile phone holder
Black body decals

While the Silverline is Navara SL-based and gets:

16″ alloys (replacing standard steel wheels)
Polished alloy sports bar
Mobile phone holder
‘Silverline’ tailgate badging

Drive and Engine

As mentioned when I reviewed the Nissan Navara ST back in May, the only thing that really holds this vehicle back is a lack of power and torque.

The Nissan offering (4×4/auto/dual-cab) delivers a power to weight ratio of 72.1 and this is well behind many of its rivals (check out all the 2018 ute power to weight ratios here).

While 450Nm is respectable, this maximum torque output is only around mid-field among the many others in this segment.

Where the Nissan Navara though has it over many of its competitors is its refinement and SUV-like ride.

The rear coil spring suspension in the Navara was revised earlier in the year and the end result is a better than acceptable ride, and still admirable load-hauling ability.

Steering, interior noise, general driving dynamics are all better than acceptable.

Interestingly, as mentioned, all-terrain tyres feature on the Black Edition Navara, thankfully though the more aggressive tread pattern didn’t produce any noticeable increase in on-road noise.

Interior

The Nissan Navara better than holds it own on the inside.

Car-like, or really SUV-like, the Navara interior is comfortable and generally well designed.

There are a few missing features, think Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Digital Radio, the steering adjustment too is tilt-only.

The door pockets are nicely sized, but the centre console storage area is pretty small, same too for the glove box.

Nissan has given the driver simple and well-placed controls and easy to read gauges.

You might say that the steering wheel is a bit ‘sissy’ for a tough truck like this as well. It has a relatively thin rim that might feel more at home in something like Pulsar than Navara.

While rear seat legroom is good, not great.

Features

Standard kit in the ST grade Nissan Navara runs to:

Reverse camera
Cruise control
Sat-nav
LED Headlights
Heated mirrors
Height adjustable driver’s seat
Side steps
Leather-look steering wheel, gear shift, parking brake

Safety

There’s a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating on Navara, though the Nissan offering (like almost all other utes in 2018) misses out on Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)

2019 Navara Upgrades

As mentioned, the arrival of the special edition models comes as Nissan updates and improves Navara for the new year.

Some of the changes being introduced include a new Around View Monitor on ST-X Dual Cab and King Cab Navara.

The system utilizes four cameras that help drivers notice people and cars surrounding and approaching the vehicle.

Navara SL, ST and ST-X models pick up a digital speedometer housed within the instrument cluster.

There are also additional (and the re-positioning of) tie-down hook points in the rear tub.

Two ISOFIX child seat mounting points have been added to the outer rear seats on all Dual Cab grades, and sat-nav has been fitted as standard equipment on the King Cab ST grade, aligning with its Dual Cab sibling.

Finally, Dual Cab ST-X models, and the King Cab ST-X 7-speed automatic, now come with a leather seat option – priced at $1,500.

Summary

There’s a lot to like about the updated Nissan Navara and the Black Edition is a nice addition to the range too, albeit for a limited time only.

The grippy all-terrain tyres combined with the added black features you give a much more rugged and robust looking truck than the standard (somewhat conservative?) Navara.

The ride and the interior comfort levels are the highlight, it provides good value for money too and is a decent option to an SUV…if only Nissan‘s ute had some more grunt!

Facts and Figures: 2018 Nissan Navara ST (Black Edition)

Engine: 2.3 litre twin turbo-diesel four-cylinder 140kW/450Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual or seven-speed auto
Safety: Five stars
Origin: Thailand
Warranty: 3 yrs/100,000km
Price: From $48,690 driveaway