OFT described as the flashy version of the base model, the 2021 Nissan Navara ST-X sits mid-pack in the Japanese car maker’s ute range, above the SL and ST and below the PRO-4X, and the limited edition Warrior.
It features 18-inch alloys, intelligent key with push button engine start, dual zone climate control, a full sized spare, adjustable tie down hooks in the tray and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
There are also a couple of options packs which add more goodies to the seats mostly, like heating, lumbar and more adjustment capabilities. You can get the ST-X in King Cab 2WD and Dual Cab in both 2WD and 4WD. We’re testing the Dual Cab 4×4.
It’s a nice looking unit, with a purposeful exterior, with a squared off, sharp edge deal going on. Quad LED headlamps and LED daytime running lights give the front of the ute a futuristic look. It feels bigger than it used to too.
It’s got real presence, from the headlight and grille design at the front, to the hard stamped tailgate. It could easily compete in the tough looking truck contest, if there was one.
The tray is a good size as well, and there is a built-in step at the rear that’s just big enough to get your toes on.
Inside you will find a well-rounded interior, made up of matte and glossy blacks and some polished silver. It is a little bit plain, but just does enough to keep itself away from the “I am a work truck” label.
Everything works well and is conveniently located. There’s plenty of storage, with little map style holders in the side of the centre tunnel, and good space in the glove compartment and centre console.
The cup holders are decently sized as well, and deep enough for you to rest your arm on the centre console and not knock anything over. The 8.0-inch infotainment system has a pretty user-friendly interface that’s easy to navigate.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard and you can use the steering wheel controls to manipulate your assistant of choice (be it Siri or whatever Google’s Ai is is called). USB ports are available for charging and there’s also DAB+ digital radio.
There’s an odd sense you’re driving a long-nose Kenworth from the front seat, despite a real car like feel to the way it handles on the road. The 2.3-litre twin turbo diesel engine works in harmony with the drivetrain to drop 140kW of power and 450Nm of torque.
It delivers its power to the ground in a calm fashion, with the front independent double wishbone suspension, front stabiliser bar and rear five link shock absorbers doing their thing extremely well on the blacktop.
Take it off road on your average four-wheel drive track and it handles the punishment well, thanks to such 4WD goodies as hill descent control and hill start assist.
It has a fully boxed sub-frame too, which means it won’t twist around when you throw it over hard core obstacles, making it more capable at attacking the tough stuff. With decent ground clearance it’ll make off-roading with your mates a tonne of fun.
You can easily choose your required traction with the selector switch, and there’s an electronic rear diff lock to back you up. What stands out though is the intelligent off-road monitor and 360-degree camera.
This super cool feature lets you negotiate hard four-wheel driving type stuff with ease, with the warning system letting you know if you are getting too close to damaging your pride and joy.
it also removes the need for your mates to offer rally car style hand gestures and frantic yelling as you ease your way through tight spots or over treacherous terrain.
Safety gear includes lane departure warning and intervention, blind spot warning and intervention, a rear cross traffic alarm, intelligent emergency braking and forward collision warning. It does go without adaptive cruise control though.
A lovely 7.0-inch drive-assist display put all the important info right in the middle of the instrument cluster where you can see it without getting too distracted. If you’re towing the trailer, there’s also sway control to keep you on the straight and narrow.
It’s got a 3,500kg braked towing capacity and you can smash a tonne in the tray as well. The 2021 Nissan Navara ST-X will happily tow a large van or machinery if that’s your bag too (remember to check your GVM calculations).
The rear windscreen has a small sash window in its centre, that you can open and close. We’ll admit we really weren’t sure what its purpose is (and still aren’t). And while the following may not be its actual use, we’re going with it.
We opened one of the windows in the cab, without the little window open. The air buffeting or whatever it is called, is debilitating. Okay, let’s get a little scientific. That’s called Helmholtz Resonance.
It’s the same thing that makes a bottle hum when you blow across the top of it. Basically the air pressure in the car fights against the air pressure from outside. Open the little window, and it goes quiet (once you work the complicated latch out).
You’ll need $55,857 to drive away in the 2021 Nissan Navara ST-X, complete with big truck feels. You can choose to have it in Solid White, Black Star, or the more fancy Burning Red, Brilliant Silver, Twilight Grey, White Pearl or Forged Copper.
That last one is a personal favourite of this writer. You also get a 5-year unlimited kilometre warranty, capped price servicing and 5-years roadside assist. You can build and price a new Nissan Navara on the Nissan Australia website.
Our test vehicle was provided by Nissan Australia. To find out more about the 2021 Nissan Navara ST-X Dual Cab 4×4, contact your local Nissan dealer.
