2021 Nissan Navara PRO-4X Review | Philkotse Philippines

The pickup truck segment in the Philippines is being hyped up once again with new model launches such as the all-new Isuzu D-Max, the Mazda BT-50, and the updated Ford Ranger. Not to mention, Toyota Motor Philippines also launched the Hilux GR Sport to keep its challenger competitive in the pickup truck segment.

Nissan is among the car brands in the local market that jumped into hyped-up pickup wars as it introduced the new facelifted Navara. In fact, Nissan Philippines is among the early car brands that debuted its new pickup, which is good timing considering the launch timeline of its competitors.

With that in mind, what can the new Nissan Navara offer? Does it have what it takes to square up with its segment rivals such as the Toyota Hilux, and the all-new D-Max? And is the new Navara more than just a facelift model? We’ll find that out in this 2021 Nissan Navara PRO-4X Philkotse full review.

The exterior of the 2021 Nissan Navara arguably has one of the boldest looks in the local market today. The PRO-4X variant takes the Navara’s bold look up a notch as it has exclusive trims that give the truck a more distinctive styling resulting in a more assertive and prouder demeanor.

2021 Nissan Navara PRO-4X

The Navara PRO-4X’s front end is arguably the most aggressive-looking truck in the local market. It comes with a wide grille that has a black surround accent, which creates an impression that the truck is larger than it actually is. I also prefer the PRO-4X’s all-black grille compared to the design of other 2021 Navara trims that has a chrome accent. The grille also comes with a black Nissan badge with red-orange text, which is a PRO-4X exclusive.

The black grille is complemented by quad-LED headlights integrated with daytime running lights. It also has a muscular bumper that gives the Navara a beefy appearance especially when you view the truck upfront. The Navara’s hood, on the other hand, comes with a resculpted design as Nissan decided to eliminate the upward slopes on either side, resulting to better driver visibility.

The glossy black alloy wheels go well with the Navara's exterior paint

The side profile is quite the same as the old model but the Navara PRO-4X stands out since it has black overfenders that are accented by a red-orange trim. The overfenders give the PRO-4X more character and flair as compared to the rather plain look of other Navara variants. It is also equipped with step boards, roof rails, and 17-inch gloss black alloy wheels.

In terms of dimensions, the 2021 Nissan Navara PRO-4X measures 5,260mm long, 1,875mm wide, and 1,855mm tall. It has a wheelbase of 3,150mm, and a ground clearance of 220mm.

The rear gets design updates too

The rear gets a restyled look as well. It has a new tailgate design that’s carved with a Navara text. On one hand, the Navara’s LED taillights now look more modern compared to the old model. You’ll once again see that it has a black Nissan emblem with red-orange text, a design continuity of the Navara PRO-4X’s overall aesthetics.

Aside from the exterior enhancements, Nissan has also worked on increasing the payload capacity of the Navara. If you’ll remember, the payload capacity is one of the talking points of the previous Navara as it fell behind its segment rivals.

It comes with a free bedliner for a limited time only

As such, the Navara PRO-4X now comes with a 1,017kg payload capacity, which makes it at par with its segment rivals. Tweaks on the suspension and on the Navara’s frame enabled it to have more payload capacity. And oh, the Navara PRO-4X is now offered with a free bedliner.

Since it’s a facelift model, the interior of the 2021 Navara PRO-4X remains the same as the old model. It features a black interior theme along with the abundant use of hard plastic materials. The Navara PRO-4X’s black interior looks fine but I find it a bit plain as compared to the cabin of the top-spec Isuzu D-Max.

It still has the same dashboard layout

The dashboard layout gives a nostalgic feel especially for those who own the old Navara model. The arrangement of vehicle controls is similar to the previous Navara, which is not a bad thing since most people are already familiar with it.

What’s new inside is the steering wheel, which now has a sleeker look, and is more aesthetically appealing compared to the old bulky one. The controls on the steering wheel have also been redesigned. Aside from the steering wheel, the Navara PRO-4X also comes with a new climate control design.

The zero-gravity front seats with PRO-4X stitching

It is also equipped with Nissan’s zero-gravity front seats with PRO-4X stitching. Interestingly, the PRO-4X driver’s seat only comes with a manual adjustment. I find this odd since the PRO-4x is the top-spec Navara but it doesn’t have power-adjustable seats. To make things more interesting, the lower-spec VL 4x4 and 4x2 Navara do come with power seats.

Equipped with rear aircon vents

The rear seats can accommodate up to three individuals. For someone standing 5’5”, the leg- and head-room on the rear seats are more than enough. One can sit comfortably, and long road trips are made more bearable thanks to the rear aircon vents, and a USB port. But, I wish that the Navara PRO-4X comes with grab handles on the rear for easier ingress.

Despite having a carryover interior, I’ll give the Navara’s cabin a pass as it has all the essential features. While its exterior design is one of the best, the interior is not the strongest selling point of the 2021 Navara PRO-4X.

Apple CarPlay adds to the overall ride comfort

The Nissan Navara PRO-4X has an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Pairing your smartphone into the system is easy, but what’s lacking is the appropriate compartment to keep your phone rested while the cable is plugged into the USB port. The space nearest to the port is quite small for modern smartphones.

The vehicle also has a digital cluster that’s placed between the analog tachometer and speedometer. The digital cluster shows you essential vehicle info such as your fuel consumption, average speed, kilometers traveled, among others.

Rear camera, and around view monitor

Another strong suit of the Navara PRO-4X is the Nissan Intelligent Mobility safety tech. The said tech gives the pickup truck all-around safety that aims to give a safer and more comfortable driving experience.

The Nissan Intelligent Mobility features an Around View Monitor that gives you a 360-view of what’s surrounding the Navara PRO-4X. Nissan’s safety tech also comes with Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, among others.  

The Navara PRO-4X also has cruise control, six airbags, an anti-lock braking system, vehicle dynamic control, parking sensors, among many others.

The Nissan Navara PRO-4X has a 2.5-liter turbodiesel engine that puts out 187 hp and 450 Nm of torque. The engine is connected to a seven-speed automatic with manual mode. The Navara PRO-4X also comes with a 4x4 system and rear differential lock.

Powered by a 2.5-liter turbodiesel engine

Power from the 2.5-liter turbo diesel is more than enough to keep you going when you driving in the urban jungle. It can take on the uphill roads without any problem, and you can’t hear the engine complaining. The good power delivery is complemented by a nice throttle response, which makes driving more comfortable.

The steering wheel is a bit on the heavy side but not to the point of compromising the overall drive experience. I actually like the Navara PRO-4X’s steering feel as it gives good feedback. The transmission shifts smoothly at around 2,000rpm when driven at a casual pace, helping you get the most in terms of fuel efficiency.

Look at that bold front end

One particular feature that I appreciate during my time with the Navara PRO-4X is the zero gravity driver’s seat. It gives a comfortable feel thanks to its cushioning and lower back support. But, I really do wish that Nissan opted to give the driver’s seat an electronic power adjustment. Another thing that I like is the Around View Monitor as it helped a lot when I needed to drive through tight streets. It also gives you an extra set of eyes when you need to park the pickup truck.

The Navara PRO-4X is stable when driven on the open highway, giving you confidence in case you want to change lanes in order to overtake slower vehicles. Outside noise is reduced to a minimum, and the Navara PRO-4X’s cabin insulation keeps the diesel engine’s grunt at bay.

The distinctive taillight cluster adds style points

The best feature of the Nissan Navara PRO-4X is still its overall ride comfort. The coil spring suspension setup allows the Navara PRO-4X to absorb road impact significantly better than its segment rivals. It can drive through the dilapidated roads of EDSA smoother than other pickup trucks in the local market. That said, the Navara PRO-4X is still the best-in-class when it comes to ride comfort.

In terms of fuel efficiency, the Nissan Navara PRO-4X registered 11.2 km/l while driving around the city at an average speed of 40 km/h. On the open highway, it posted 14.5 km/l while cruising at an average speed of 80 km/h.

Priced at Php 1,746,000, the 2021 Nissan Navara PRO-4X gives you several reasons as to why it should be on your list. First up, its commanding exterior presence makes it one of the most distinctive pickup trucks in the market today. It now also comes with an increased payload capacity that makes it on par with its segment rivals. Plus, the Navara PRO-4X is loaded with safety features courtesy of the Nissan Intelligent Mobility.

2021 Nissan Navara PRO-4X

But, the most notable asset of the Nissan Navara PRO-4X is still its overall ride comfort, which is by far the best in its class. Given its ride quality, and comfortable front seats the Nissan Navara PRO-4X ticks all the boxes to be an ideal lifestyle truck. It is also priced lower than its segment rivals such as the Isuzu D-Max, the Ford Ranger, and the Toyota Hilux. With that, the Nissan Navara PRO-4X has what it takes to square up against its segment rivals.