2021 Nissan Navara prices and details

UPDATED - Nissan's local website has revealed drive-away pricing for the 2021 Navara range.

Gone is the base model RX, with the 4x2 SL kicking off the range at $33,890.

The cheapest dual-cab offering is now the ST Dual Cab at $50,990 drive-away.

DRIVE-AWAY PRICES (PRIVATE BUYERS)

Nissan announced details of the 2021 Navara late in 2020, which will arrive in local dealers in the first quarter of this year.

The model range will be capped by the new Pro-4X grade, which is mainly a styling package but includes leather seats and all-terrain tyres.

This will take over from the N-Trek specification.

Dropping back through the line-up you’ll find STX, ST and SL specs in 4x4 and 4x2 drivelines; double-cab, extra-cab and single cab configurations; and tub or cab-chassis models.

The dual-cab STX builds upon the ST with a tub liner, tow bar, sports bar, push-button start, 18-inch wheels, tyre pressure monitoring and dual-zone climate control.

The dual-cab ST is offered with only a manual transmission, and comes with digital radio, faux-leather on the steering wheel and gear lever, auto wipers, heated folding door mirrors, digital radio, sat-nav, drive selector and an off-road monitor on 4WD models.

Safety kit includes radar cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, 360-degree cameras, lane departure warning, lane intervention, and blind-spot warnings, among its dings and buzzers.

Unique features outside include a power sliding rear window, a polished sports bar, privacy glass, LED headlamps and front foggies to complement DRLs and turn signals in the door mirrors.

Meanwhile, a base SL trim offers a $33,890 entry point into the range as a single-cab 2WD manual.

Its base specification includes 17-inch wheels, halogen front lights, an eight-inch touchscreen with smartphone mirroring, digital speedo, cruise control, power mirrors and windows, auto headlights as well as hill start assist.

It packs seven airbags, a reverse parking camera, AEB, trailer sway control, driver alert, rear diff-lock (on 4WDs) and a full-size spare.

Mechanically, the Navara carries over its unchanged 2.3-litre diesel engine with the choice of single and bi-turbo forced induction. Single and dual-cab SL 2WD manual variants score the 120kW/403Nm single turbo engine, while twin-turbo engines with 140kW/450Nm are fitted to everything else.

In what is a mid-life update for the one-tonne ute, the changes focus on a new front end designed to give the Nav a bigger and bolder look with a higher bonnet line, bold ‘Interlock’ radiator grille, LED headlights, and associated front bumper.

The cargo tub height has been raised 20mm and straightened out as well, to create a straight line from front to back.

“While pick-up customers want their new car to look fresh and impressive, they do not let us sacrifice functionality in the name of style,” explained Ken Lee, Senior Design Director for pickups and frame SUVs.

“Equipped with the latest advanced technologies the new model features a very recognisable, iconic look, but it is now more imposing in nature with its high command structure, new interlocking frame grille and new high-tech, squared C-shaped headlamps,” he said.

Safety tech is included in the 2021 Navara to meet the specs of other fresh utes on the market; but as a mid-life update, the 2021 car will retain its five-Star ANCAP safety rating on the old testing criteria, unlike the latest Isuzu D-Max and Mazda BT-50 which have been graded under the newer, tougher testing regime.

The chassis and suspension remain primarily unchanged, except a heavier rated rear axle fitted on 4x4 models means the Navara is now capable of carrying a "minimum" of a one-tonne payload.

There’s the 5-link coil spring rear suspension or traditional leaf springs, depending on the chosen variant.

A new steering rack has been fitted to improve the feel at the tiller, something that had been criticised in the current generation Nav.

The Australian-developed N-Trek Warrior model which is decisively the best driving variant in the current Navara range is currently in design planning and yet to be confirmed.

However, it’s a fair bet it will be back. A new front bumper design will be needed for the Warrior to integrate into the redesigned front-end grille and sheet metal.

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Nissan has a range of Australian designed and tested genuine accessories ready for the 2021 model including full and loopless steel and alloy front bars – each designed to work seamlessly with the radar and cameras of the safety systems – underbody protection, roof racks and an air-intake snorkel.

The current Navara hasn’t enjoyed the success its previous models experienced, and it’s outsold by the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi Triton and, up to September, even the old Holden Colorado.

Nissan will be hoping to win back some sales when it arrives early next year, but it will be up against some stiff competition in the ute class with the aforementioned new BT-50 and D-MAX and a refreshed Hilux already on sale. A new Ford Ranger won’t be due until later in 2021.

Contributing - Louis Cordony

Nissan's 2022 Australian line-up is coming together