Nissan Updates the Navara with a mid model life makeover

2021 Nissan Navara Update 1 Pro 4x front qtr Nissan has today unveiled the new Nissan Navara, a vehicle that delivers an enhanced level of safety, comfort and driving pleasure, while continuing to bring durability, reliability and versatility.

  • New PRO-4X grade headlines new Navara range worldwide
  • Addition of new Nissan Intelligent Mobility features across the range
  • New design language delivers rugged styling inside and out
  • Increased payload of up to 1.2 tonnes across range
  • On sale early 2021

2021 Nissan Navara Update 1 Pro 4x front qtr

The new Navara marks another milestone in the company’s Nissan NEXT transformation plan.

Over the many decades since the first Nissan pickup hit the road, the Navara has continued to accompany and empower customers in many facets of their lives.

Building on more than 80 years of Nissan pickup heritage, it stays true to the company’s belief in bringing advanced technologies to as many customers as possible.

A reliable partner for work or leisure, the new Navara comes with many best-in-class technologies, including an array of Nissan Intelligent Mobility features and safety systems, making it the most advanced Navara yet.

“We packaged the new model with a full set of advanced technologies to ensure enhanced dynamic performance on- and off-road, as well as safety and comfort ushering in a new age of toughness, tech, and peace of mind,” said Ashwani Gupta, Nissan’s chief operating officer. “For our customers it means confidence, driving pleasure, practicality and pride of ownership.”

2021 Nissan Navara Update 1 Pro 4x profile

Nissan Navara Update Overview

The award-winning Navara now becomes ruggedly bolder and more exciting with a host of new upgrades to both design and technology, creating an exhilarating experience for customers across the world. The Navara is renowned for its tough looks, robust capabilities; reliability and versatility, making it one of the most respected and anticipated models across the brand’s line-up in many regions.

Since its introduction in 1985, the Navara nameplate has conquered extreme locations from the dunes of the Sahara Desert and the jungles of Thailand to the mining areas of Chile in South America located at 4,000 meters above sea level. The pickup’s tough body-on-frame construction allows it to tackle difficult on- and off-road conditions, giving drivers greater freedom to go anywhere with confidence. It is a reliable partner for customers to go on adventurous journeys, perform labour-intensive jobs, and take on any terrain.

The Navara now comes with a more extroverted and athletic design, a quieter and more comfortable interior, as well as an already renowned suspension tune that enhances the Navara’s on- and off-road dynamic driving performance. The pickup also features an increased payload capacity, with the Navara one-ton pickup now delivering payload capacity up to 1.2 tonnes.

Juxtaposing the pickup’s tough character is a significant upgrade in equipment supported by a suite of advanced Nissan Intelligent Mobility technologies. These upgrades prioritize convenience and safety for customers’ peace of mind, without compromising the vehicle’s excellent driving performance, 3,500kg braked towing capability, durability and overall reliability.

Further elevating the pickup’s rugged character is the introduction of the PRO-4X grade – a first for the Navara nameplate. PRO-4X offers an even more impressive, eye-catching style to appeal to extreme adventure lovers who crave an escape from the daily routine.

The latest Navara will be available in Australia in early 2021.

2021 Nissan Navara Update 1 Pro 4x interior 1

New rugged design, enhanced interior comfort

The new Navara utilises Nissan’s frame-vehicles ‘unbreakable’ design language and introduces a new ruggedly bold, stylish exterior made for extreme elements; living up to the promise of durability and versatility the model has long delivered.

“While pickup 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 recognizable, 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.”

The Navara’s front fascia has been renewed to be unique and easily recognizable. It carries the new “interlock” grille – a unique feature found exclusively on the Nissan pickup family and first introduced on the latest Nissan Titan – creating a powerful front face for the vehicle. Thicker and vertical in shape, the interlocking frame grille gives the impression that it is coming out and grabbing the engine. This further enforces the vehicle’s boldness and strength, while underlining its “Go Anywhere” capabilities.

2021 Nissan Navara Update 1 Pro 4x front qtr

Further highlighting the pickups imposing rugged stance and tough image is the model name proudly embossed on top of the front grille and across the full width of the rear tailgate. The font of the model name was also updated to create a stronger look.

  The Navara features all-new, high-tech C-shaped quad LED projector headlamps, increasing brightness and adding a level of sophistication to the rugged design. The outline of the new LED headlamps has an energetic gesture, while each of the four distinctive projector units have their own intricate bezel shape. Thanks to the new front styling, the new Navara is unique while providing an overall impression that is distinctly Nissan, even from a distance. At the back, seamless signature LED tail lamps provide an impressive appearance. This increased brightness creates another layer of safety for customers driving at night and low visibility scenarios.

For added convenience, the pickup is equipped with a new rear bumper with integrated step for ease of access and use. New side step finishers also contribute to better aerodynamic performance, decreasing wind noise and improving fuel efficiency.

2021 Nissan Navara Update 1 Pro 4x interior

Inside, the new Navara features a significantly improved quietness, thanks to the increased amounts of sound deadening insulation, further reducing the stress for both driver and occupants. Additionally, the ute’s front is now more convenient and driver-oriented. This includes a new Nissan steering wheel and improved styling of the instrument panel highlighting the 8-inch navigation screen and a 7-inch higher resolution TFT screen.

The rear seats are now even more comfortable for passengers, with upgrades to the seat cushions and back shapes. For added convenience, passengers in the back can also now utilize the new rear armrest with built-in cup holders to store beverages or smartphones.

The newly introduced PRO-4X grade comes with its own distinctive, athletic look with a black Nissan emblem, a black front bumper and black grille, door handles, roof racks and running boards accented by 17-inch black wheels and all terrain tires. The PRO-4X takes the design up another notch with lively, red accents, a tint inspired by the colour of magma,  contrasted with the dark grille, wheels, and mirror caps.

The PRO-4X line also uses a signature red colour for the Nissan wordmark on the black emblem, as well as other red accents inside and outside the car.

The new Nissan Navara will be available in eight exterior colours, with two new colours (Forged Copper and Stealth Grey, developed for the PRO-4X grade) with cloth or leather interior options available.

2021 Nissan Navara Update 1 Pro 4x driving

A new age of toughness, tech and peace of mind 

The new model returns with best-in-class technology through Nissan Intelligent Mobility, making it the most advanced Navara ever. These technologies create a 360-degree safety shield for the vehicle, helping protect the driver and passengers from potential risks and delivering peace of mind. The integration of these technologies provides superior levels of comfort, safety, and convenience, enabling customers to feel confident in using their vehicle for both work and play.

Among these systems is Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, which monitors two vehicles ahead as well as the vehicle directly in front to reduce the risk of multi-car accidents. Intelligent Emergency Braking, which is designed to brake to avoid collisions, reduces the stress of driving in traffic or on busy streets.

During long road trips or after a hard day on the job, driving safety and convenience become more important than ever and have been enhanced through a number of features in the pickup. These include Intelligent Driver Alertness, which prompts drivers to take breaks through visual and gives audible alerts when changes in driving style or steering behavior are detected.

2021 Nissan Navara Update 1 Pro 4x interior

This is further supported by Lane Departure Warning, which warns drivers if they begin to stray outside of their lane without signaling, while Intelligent Lane Intervention works to bring the vehicle back to the centre of the lane if the movement continues. For an added boost of confidence, drivers can count on Blind Spot Warning to help avoid running into other vehicles caught in their blind spot, with blind spot intervention assisting when absolutely necessary.

Adding to the pickup’s safety is Intelligent Around View Monitor (Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection), which uses four mounted cameras to help drivers notice people and cars surrounding and approaching the vehicle. This enables easier manoeuvring when performing tasks such as parallel parking and positioning of the vehicle during trailer hitching. For the first time the system also features an off-road monitor, made to confirm surrounding obstacles at low speeds when in four-wheel drive, empowering enthusiasts to take on the toughest terrains with confidence.

Finally, Rear Cross Traffic Alert reduces the stress that comes with limited visibility when backing out of a parking spot. The function monitors the rear of the vehicle and warning the driver if another vehicle or object is approaching from either side.

To meet the increasing needs of connected lifestyles, the pickup is now equipped with the new Nissan Connect infotainment system.

This system allows customers to seamlessly connect their smartphone to the pickup and enable convenient features such as Bluetooth streaming audio, voice recognition, and satellite navigation.

Further enhancing the convenience for both drivers and passengers, the Navara now has multiple USB ports throughout the vehicle to charge devices and ensure continued connectivity, even on longer journeys. As a response to customer feedback, the new pick up now carries a generation USB Port (Type C) in the console, which can support the charging of multiple devices.

The pickup also carries new automatic safety and convenience features such as a rain-sensing wiper with wiping speed adjustment, letting the driver keep both hands on the wheel without having to worry about decreased visibility, and a speed-sensing door lock that switches on as soon as vehicle speed exceeds 25 km/h for enhanced security.

The Navara is also equipped with auto-folding mirrors for smarter parking and serving as an easily visible reminder of when the vehicle is locked or unlocked.

2021 Nissan Navara Update 1 Pro 4x

Improved pickup functionality

The DNA of the Nissan Navara remains with carried-over powertrain options coupled with specially tuned suspension and new pickup features that add usability and versatility.

A strengthened rear axle and additional truck bed volume make the vehicle the ultimate worksite partner, ready to take on more challenges while still offering optimal room and comfort. An integrated step in the new rear bumper makes bed access easier and reduces fatigue caused by repeated loading and unloading. Additionally, the bed is equipped with a flap-type, tie-down hook to secure both large and small objects, making it easier for loading and unloading without interference.

2021 Nissan Navara Update 1 Pro 4x engine

For pickup customers, one of the most essential qualities is payload, and Nissan’s engineers worked hard to increase it, delivering an improved payload of up to 1.2 tonnes dependent on grade.

When in four-wheel drive mode, the Navara activates its Active Brake Limited Slip Differential system (ABLS), which manages power delivery and wheel braking between the front and rear axles and between the left and right of the vehicle, depending on traction and speed.

Working with the Vehicle Dynamic Control system (VDC) and ABS brakes, this system enables drivers to be more confident and feel secure when towing large payloads and driving through muddy terrain with less acceleration and brake operation.

The new Trailer Sway Control system helps the vehicle to maintain stability on the road when towing a trailer.

2021 Nissan Navara Update 1 Pro 4x rear

Technical Specification – New Nissan Navara PRO-4X

Powertrain

2.3 litre intercooled twin turbo-diesel, DOHC

Power

140kW @ 3750

Torque

450Nm @ 1500-2500

Fuel Economy (MT / AT)

7.5 / 8.1 L/100km combined cycle*

Suspension

Front: Double Wishbone

Rear: 5-point multi-link suspension with shock absorber

Transmission

6-speed manual transmission / 7-speed automatic transmission

Brakes

Front: Ventilated disc brakes

Rear: Drum brakes

Payload (MT / AT)

1,095 / 1,105 kg

Gross Vehicle Weight

3,150 kg*

* Estimated

* Model names, features and specifications vary by market, and are subject to local market validation and will be confirmed at launch.

About Rob Fraser 321 Articles
Rob first learned to drive on the farm in a left hand drive WW11 Jeep when he was 11, many years ago. He has maintained a strong interest in the industry ever since and was hooked on 4WDriving way back then.Often known for taking the 4WD in the driveway over the sports car, he has travelled pretty much everywhere in Australia and when he is bored goes for a drive.