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LOADED4X4.COM.AU
REVIEW: NAVARA ST
Specifications
Verdict
ENGINE: 2.3 litre turbo-diesel,
140kW/450Nm
TRANSMISSION: 7-speed automatic
SUSPENSION: Front: independent;
Rear: 5-link coil sprung solid axle
STEERING: 12.4m turning circle
BRAKES: Front: ventilated discs Rear: drum
FUEL ECONOMY: 7.0 l/100km (claimed)
WHEELS & TYRES: 16” alloy wheels;
255/70 R16 tyres
WADING DEPTH: 450mm
TOW RATING: 750kg (unbraked);
3,500kg (braked); 968kg payload;
2,910kg GVM
APPROACH/DEPARTURE: 33.1
degrees/28.1 degrees
ANCAP RATING: 5-Star
PRICE AS TESTED: $46,490 (incl
GST; excl dealer costs)
LOADED4X4 RATING: 85/100
So if you’ve stuck with this story to this point, you may be
wondering where’s the catch? There’s precious few, but maybe
the one that creates some doubt is the wisdom of using a
passenger car engine in a 4WD and a complicated one at that. I
have no doubt that in time everyone will be going down this path,
squeezing more and more from smaller and smaller engines.
Think I’m dreaming? Volkswagen’s Amarok uses a twin-turbo 2.0
litre, and my past experience with that wasn’t good. Ford’s Ranger
Raptor will be of the same school and capacity. This one is
marginally bigger at 2.3 litres but is Renault designed, and when
you look at things like the air intake point it leaves you scratching
your head about its longevity?
I think there’s plenty of positives with the D23 Navara and
I reckon it’s worth putting on your shopping list because the
suspension’s been fixed, it’s got enough grunt, and it’s fuel
efficient across a combined around town, heavy towing and LOW
range test regime.
The three-year warranty will buy you some peace of mind in
the durability stakes. With the imminent X Class release here in
Australia I think there’s going to be some interesting comparisons
made, a bit like the Ranger and BT50 considerations plenty of
new car buyers have made in recent years. Go on, go chase a
Wildebeest and do it in a Navara, I dare you!
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