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LOADED4X4.COM.AU
REVIEW: NAVARA ST
The 4WD selector is in the modern idiom, electronically
activated via a rotary dial on the dash. Being a part-time 4WD
there’s 2H or two-wheel-drive through the rears only, 4H equals
four-wheel-drive HIGH range and 4L naturally four-wheel-drive in
LOW range, our favourite mode of travel. Both 4WD modes are
for loose surfaces only, use them on bitumen, and you’ll likely
break the car. The low range reduction was deep, and that’s good
at 2.717. Pointing the D23 down a steep hill in first was a piece
of cake, feet off the brakes and a confident descent despite it
being an automatic. No need for hill descent control as seen on
the STX. Nissan has made some great gains is in the traction
stakes. The old D40 Nav and the R51 Pathfinder siblings had
pretty ordinary traction control, Nissan calls their system Active
Brake Limited Slip (ABLS)… but never mind the name, care about
The Navara was a big
surprise off-road. Loads
more clearance at the front
than the jutting jawed
HiLux, traction control that
was up there with the best
of them and a better ride
than any other 4X4 ute
that we’ve tested. Nissan is
back in the game.