2020 Nissan Navara gets more black, better tech

John Law

Contributor

For 2020, Nissan’s top-selling Navara will receive some additional gear and slight price alterations; this extends from the entry-level $34,550 (driveaway pricing TBA) RX variant to the awesome $63,490 (driveaway pricing TBA) N-Trek Warrior.

Nissan’s 2020 update to the Navara is needed, too. We know Ford and Volkswagen will be releasing an all-new Ranger/Amarok pair this year, with Mazda also likely to reveal an updated BT-50.

Nissan has worked on the road manners of the Navara, adding extra sound deadening to all dual-cab models. There’s also an acoustically optimised windscreen, says Nissan, and more sound deadening under the bonnet.

2020 Nissan Navara ST - 5 — *It should be quieter in here says Nissan.*

While outside the Navara now looks classier, inside the same dark and scratchy plastic cabin remains. Naturally, the materials are all hard-wearing for a reason, but we can’t help feeling that someone spending over $60,000 on a vehicle might want some classier touches.

However, the infotainment system does receive some updates with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto featuring an eight-inch touchscreen from the SL grade up. At the same time, all variants now get a 360-degree surround-view camera.

The oily bits remain the same for 2020 – that means the 2.3-litre twin-turbo diesel carries over with 140kW and 450Nm.

2020 Nissan Navara ST - 2 — *It’s a tough looking dual-cab*.

There’s quite an array of options available, the entry point being the barebones two-wheel-drive RX manual which retains its $34,550 (driveaway pricing TBA) for 2020. Without any real niceties, this is the workhorse of the range.

A four-wheel-drive RX with a seven-speed automatic starts at $1,400 less at $44,200 (driveaway pricing TBA) and gets a torque-vectoring system, though does without hill-descent-control or interior goodies.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and new eight-inch monitor are standard on the $45,500 (driveaway pricing TBA) SL manual making the extra $1,500 seem reasonable.

2020 Nissan Navara ST - 6 — *Android auto is standard now.*

Stepping up to the $42,050 (driveaway pricing TBA) ST 4×2 and $48,750 (driveaway pricing TBA) ST 4×4 exterior styling gets meaner with the standard inclusion of the “black pack” entailing a piano black grille, fog light surrounds, mirror caps and rear hoop bar.

We agree it looks way better than the chrome. Additionally, a larger set of 18-inch alloy wheels are standard instead of the 16-inch items which Nissan claims to add to off-road capabilities, increasing the ground clearance to 228mm.

However, the move to larger wheels will harm the Navara’s ability to go deep into the bush – if that’s what you’re into – thanks to limited tyre choice and smaller sidewall profiles.

2020 Nissan Navara ST - 4 — *Bigger wheels on the ST. More likely to buckle*.

But if the Navara is going to spend most of its time on the black stuff larger wheels won’t hurt too much.

The $46,450 (driveaway pricing TBA) 4×2 ST-X and $53,600 (driveaway pricing TBA) 4×4 ST-X bolster their off-road abilities with the standard inclusion of hill-descent-control and styling tweaks.

Increasing by $350 from 2019, the $56,800 (driveaway pricing TBA) Nissan’s N-Trek Navara boasts some styling cues like decals, orange seat highlights and tougher-looking wheels.

Nissan Navara Warrior grey front — *The N-Trek Warrior looks the business.*

At the halo end of the range is the Australian developed N-Trek Warrior with its plethora of upgrades (read all about them in our review) starting at $63,490 (driveaway pricing TBA).

A seven-speed automatic is optional on any grade for $2,500 and retains the Navara’s 3.5-ton towing capacity. Updated 2020 Navaras will be available by the end of March 2020.