Previewed: New 2021 Nissan Navara (D23) Pro-4X facelift is one bad-A mother trucker!
CY Foong · Mar 26, 2021 05:00 PM
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Following its debut in Thailand and Australia last year, it is only a matter of time for Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) to launch the major facelift of the 2021 Nissan Navara NP300 (D23) in Malaysia. We have published a few spyshots this year of the Navara before, but this time it is the official deal.
Well, sort of. The imported-from-Thailand (CBU) refreshed Mother Trucker is only previewed to the media with its official launch to be announced on 16-April 2021. The outgoing Navara meanwhile, is reportedly almost sold out.
ETCM only previewed the Pro-4X variant which is the Navara facelift's range-topper, taking over the position once held by the Navara VL Plus. More details on the other variants of the Mother Trucker will be revealed on the launch day.
Speaking of mother truckers, the Navara Pro-4X, comes with plenty of black trim pieces including black fender flares, black Nissan badges with red accents, all-terrain tyres, and black 17-inch wheels. These embellishments give the Navara a more action-packed look than the Ford Ranger Wildtrak or the Toyota Hilux Rogue.
The most major change on the facelift is definitely the grille which mimics that of the American-market Nissan Titan. On the Pro-4X variant, the grille is painted black with a new "interlock" design.
Unlike most facelifted models, Nissan even made some changes on the rear with the tailgate spelling out “Navara” so other people won’t mistake it for a Hailak Hilux. An integrated tailgate spoiler enhances the sporty image of this action-packed off-roader.
Access to the rear bed is also made easier with the help of the new Integrated Rear Bumper Step while Tailgate Assist helps to make opening and closing the tailgate a little lighter.
In the bed, there is the Utili-Track Channel System which consists of 2 channels and 4 heavy-duty forged aluminium cleats that lock anywhere along the channel to firmly secure heavy-duty loads easier and faster.
The interior cabin though is more of a sea of familiarity especially if you’ve stepped into a Nissan model. The steering wheel’s design is carried over from the X-Trail and the Almera but that isn’t the only familiar Nissan trait in the refreshed Navara.
The excellent Zero Gravity seats from both the X-Trail and Almera are also brought over into the Navara. Combined with the multi-link coil suspension at the rear, you can expect greater passenger ride and comfort over its pick-up rivals.
The Navara remains the only pick-up truck in its segment to house rear coil suspensions while rivals use leaf springs. Nissan claims that the rear can support up to 1.1 tonnes of payload and also reduces body toss motion on rough roads by 33%.
Nissan also claims the Navara's cabin is significantly quieter thanks to the optimisation of noise isolation acoustic laminated glass on the front windscreen and front windows. Certainly, this might look like a rough Mother Trucker, but it's more comfort-oriented than we thought.
While other markets receive the updated 2.3-litre twin-turbocharged diesel engine, the Malaysian-spec Navara carries over the 2.5-litre single turbocharged diesel powerplant of the pre-facelift model on the Pro-4X.
The mill produces 190 PS and 450 Nm and is paired to a 7-speed automatic transmission.
However, the most standout feature would be the generous amount of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) available on the Pro-4X variant. These include:
Blind Spot Warning
Intelligent Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
Intelligent Emergency Braking (AEB)
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
High Beam Assist
Intelligent Driver Alertness
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA)
The Pro-4X variant is also equipped with a 360-degree camera which Nissan calls the Intelligent Around View Monitor (i-AVM). This also comes in handy when going off-road which is enabled automatically when the driver switches to 4LO. This makes it easier for the driver to observe any obstacles ahead of their vehicle.
There are four colours to choose from on the Navara Pro-4X: Stealth Grey, Burning Red, Pearl White, and Black Star.
WapCar’s comments
Though it is only a facelift, Nissan gave the Navara a much-needed youthful invigoration not just in looks, but in features too. However, is it enough for Nissan to penetrate the Top 3 in pick-up sales? We might think so but we’ll reserve our full reaction for the review.
Traded advertising for a career that fits his passion for cars. Enjoys spotting cars during his free time and has a soft spot for Japanese Kei cars but drives a thirsty manual sedan.
