The New Nissan Navara — Engineered for Comfort and Confidence

Three distinct suspension tunes calibrated to each grade’s driving profile
Two 4WD systems bolster on- and off-road capability
Steering feel and response optimised in combination with suspension

Melbourne – The new Navara is now on sale in Nissan dealers across the country, marking the fifth generation of a nameplate that has served Australian customers for four decades.

The new Nissan Navara delivers go-anywhere capability supported by locally tuned suspension developed, refined and tested by Nissan’s Melbourne-based engineering partner, Premcar. Every new Navara sold locally benefits from extensive Australian ride and handling development — ensuring it performs confidently across the vast range of conditions demanded by customers.

All models are powered by a proven 2.4-litre bi-turbo diesel mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The combination delivers 150kW and 470Nm — 10kW more power, 20Nm more torque, and 0.2L/100km more efficient than the outgoing D23.

Grade Overview

Available in four Dual Cab 4x4 Pick-Up grades — SL, ST, ST-X and PRO-4X — from dedicated commercial applications through to lifestyle and recreational use. All grades are offered exclusively with six-speed automatic transmissions, reflecting the overwhelming preference of Australian buyers (with 90% of the outgoing D23 buyers having selecting a Dual Cab 4x4 Pickup).

Each grade is comprehensively equipped to ensure they deliver value for money.

Suspension: Engineered for Real-World Demands

Tuning a one-tonne utility presents an inherently complex engineering challenge. The suspension must operate seamlessly from unladen kerb weight through to gross vehicle mass and 3500kg braked towing — a working range few other vehicle segments are required to cover.

Rather than pursue a one-size-fits-all solution, Nissan and Premcar developed three distinct suspension calibrations, each engineered around the real-world use case of its intended buyer.

Andrew Humberstone, Managing Director, Nissan Oceania said: “We made a deliberate decision to develop three distinct suspension calibrations rather than a single compromise, because a tradesman loading a tonne of gear every morning has fundamentally different needs to a family towing a caravan or boat on the weekends.”

Over the course of development, Premcar engineers evaluated 137 damper codes and implemented more than 550 internal shim specification changes. In addition to extensive development mileage, final validation spanned 18,500km of local testing across sealed roads, corrugations, gravel and off-road terrain.

The objective was consistent across all variants:
Improved steering response and feel
Enhanced primary ride control
Greater secondary ride comfort
Linear, predictable handling behaviour
Confident towing stability

A Key Component: Internal Rebound Spring Technology

A defining addition to the new Navara’s suspension package is the fitment of internal rebound springs within the front dampers — a feature uncommon in the mainstream ute segment.

Conventional damper tuning often requires a compromise: increasing damping force sharpens steering response and roll control but can introduce harshness over smaller surface imperfections. The internal rebound spring provides an additional mechanical control element, allowing engineers to reduce damping force while maintaining roll stiffness.

The benefits for new Navara buyers are tangible on the road:
More progressive, linear body roll in cornering
Reduced “tip-then-settle” behaviour common in the segment
Improved steering linearity and front-end feel
Enhanced pitch control during braking, acceleration and towing
Better secondary ride comfort over broken surfaces

The result is a vehicle that is more composed in dynamic transitions, particularly when carrying loads or towing.

“When you’ve got the internal rebound spring in there, you can actually take some damping force out and control roll with the spring instead. That means you get a better compromise between comfort and steering response — compared to a car that doesn’t have internal rebound springs” said Bernie Quinn, CEO/Engineering Director, Premcar.

Three Distinct Suspension Tunes

SL and ST — Calibrated for Working Loads

The SL and ST grades form the working core of the Navara range. These variants ride on 17-inch wheels with heavy-duty four-leaf rear suspension and during development were baselined with a loaded tray reflecting the daily load of tools and equipment typical of trade use.

This approach ensures the vehicle feels composed and controlled in its most common working condition, not merely acceptable when unladen.

Key characteristics include:

Reduced bump-stop contact under load
Stable body control through mid-corner transitions
Improved impact absorption on coarse-chip and corrugated surfaces
Maintained steering precision through to full payload and towing

ST-X — Dual-Purpose Refinement

The new Navara ST-X balances weekday commuting and weekend recreation. Its suspension tuning baseline reflects a two-occupant configuration, before validation across full payload and towing capacity.

Riding on 18-inch wheels paired with three-leaf rear suspension, the ST-X required careful damper calibration to manage the reduced tyre sidewall compliance associated with larger wheel fitment.

SL, ST and ST-X variants all boast 1000kg+ payload capability^<.

Through detailed tuning — supported by internal rebound spring technology — Premcar engineers optimised secondary ride comfort without sacrificing control when the vehicle is loaded.

On the road, the ST-X demonstrates:

Improved surface compliance in urban environments
Controlled body movement over undulating highways
Predictable handling progression under steering input
Confident stability when towing

PRO-4X — Compliance, comfort and Articulation

Positioned at the lifestyle and recreational pinnacle of the range, the new Navara PRO-4X combines three-leaf rear springs with 17-inch wheels and all-terrain tyres.

This configuration delivers increased tyre sidewall compliance for impact absorption and off-road durability, while suspension articulation has been calibrated to allow freer wheel movement over uneven terrain.

Despite its off-road focus, the PRO-4X maintains composed on-road manners, demonstrating:

Flatter body control through sweeping corners
Progressive roll build-up under steering input
Improved comfort over gravel and corrugated tracks
Stable behaviour when towing recreational loads

Steering: Linear and Connected

Electronic Power Steering is introduced for the first time on the new Navara, complementing the locally developed suspension.

The system contributes to improved fuel efficiency, and automatically adjusts steering effort to suit driving conditions — lighter at low speeds for easier manoeuvring in tight spaces such as carparks and loading bays, and firmer at highway speeds for confident, composed long-distance cruising.

This adaptability was a key input into Premcar’s local suspension tuning program, allowing the engineers to optimise steering feel and response in conjunction with the damper calibration for each grade.

A key engineering focus for the team was achieving linear roll-rate response to steering input. Rather than exhibiting abrupt initial body movement before stabilising, the new Navara builds roll progressively and proportionally with steering angle and lateral load.

This linearity enhances driver confidence — particularly when laden or towing — by delivering predictable feedback and improved connection between steering input and vehicle response.

On-centre stability during highway cruising has also been refined, contributing to reduced steering correction and improved long-distance comfort.

4WD Systems

Depending on the grade, the new Navara offers one of two four-wheel drive systems tailored to buyer requirements.

Easy 4WD (SL, ST)

The new Navara SL and ST grades feature Easy 4WD, a part-time dual-range transfer system with selectable:

2H (two-wheel drive) for everyday on-road driving with optimal fuel efficiency
4H (four-wheel drive high range) for additional traction on slippery surfaces, or as a precautionary measure in deteriorating conditions
4L (four-wheel drive low range) for maximum torque multiplication in extreme off-road situations, steep climbs, thick mud, or water crossings.

Shift-on-the-fly capability between 2H and 4H is available at speeds up to 100km/h, allowing drivers to respond quickly to changing road conditions.

An electronic locking rear differential is standard, enhancing traction on loose or uneven surfaces. Hill Start Assist is standard on all Navara grades, holding the vehicle for up to two seconds on inclines to prevent rollback.

Super 4WD (ST-X, PRO-4X)

The new Navara ST-X and PRO-4X grades are equipped with Super 4WD, a system featuring a Torsen® limited-slip centre differential for intelligent all-wheel-drive capability in 4H mode.

In 4H mode, torque distribution defaults to a 40:60 front-to-rear split, with continuous adjustment to optimise traction and stability — particularly beneficial on wet highways, gravel roads and when towing.Selectable modes include:

2H (two-wheel drive) for everyday on-road driving with optimal fuel efficiency
4H (intelligent all-wheel drive)
4HLc (high-range with centre differential locked for fixed 50:50 front-to-rear torque split)
4LLc (low range with centre lock for maximum traction and torque multiplication in extreme conditions)

Hill Descent Control is available on Super 4WD variants, maintaining controlled speeds (up to 20km/h in both drive and reverse) on steep descents to reduce driver workload.

Drive Mode Technology

The new Navara ST-X and PRO-4X grades feature a seven-mode Drive Mode Selector: Normal, Eco, Gravel, Snow, Mud, Sand and Rock.

Each mode optimises throttle mapping, transmission shift patterns, traction control, and all-wheel-drive behaviour for the surface at hand.

Mode	4WD Configuration	Best For
Normal	2H / 4H / 4HLc / 4LLc	Everyday driving; default mode on start-up
Eco	2H only	Fuel-efficient highway and urban driving
Gravel	4H	Unpaved roads; optimises traction and yaw control
Snow	4H	Icy or snowy roads; controls torque and shift patterns
Mud	4HLc	Mud and deep snow; centre differential locked, increased traction
Sand	4HLc	Soft sand; adapted throttle and traction response
Rock	4LLc only	Rock crawling and moguls; maximum low-range torque

Off-Road Geometry

The new Navara’s off-road geometry reflects meaningful improvement where it matters most for real-world capability. Ground clearance increases to 228mm — an 8mm gain over the outgoing model — while the departure angle improves to 22.8 degrees, a 2.2-degree increase that provides greater confidence when cresting obstacles and exiting steep terrain.

The ramp breakover angle of 23.4 degrees ensures composed transitions over ridges and crests, while the approach angle of 30.4 degrees provides confident entry into steep terrain.

Ground Clearance	228mm (+8mm vs D23)
Approach Angle	30.4 degrees
Ramp over / Breakover Angle	23.4 degrees
Departure Angle	22.8 degrees (+2.2 degrees vs D23)
Minimum Turning Circle	12.7m (kerb to kerb)

Towing Stability and Control

With a 3500kg braked towing capacity across the range, towing validation formed a core part of the Navara’s local development program.

Enhanced pitch control from the revised suspension architecture — supported by internal rebound springs — promotes flatter, more composed body behaviour under load. Linear steering response and intelligent torque distribution further contribute to highway stability when towing caravans, boats or work trailers.

“These utes need to carry a lot, so Premcar tested every way you can think of. The aim is simple — to deliver a ute that feels good in every possible Australian scenario for every possible customer,” said Bernie Quinn, CEO/Engineering Director, Premcar.

Local Tuning Ensures Confidence Across Every Surface

Across urban roads, highways and unsealed surfaces, whether unladen or fully loaded, the new Navara feels settled and predictable. Body roll builds progressively rather than abruptly, steering feedback is connected, and ride comfort has been optimised without compromising load-carrying capability.

By integrating three purpose-built suspension calibrations, internal rebound spring technology, electronic power steering and four-wheel drive systems, Nissan — in collaboration with Premcar — has engineered and tuned the new Navara specifically for Australian conditions and customer use.

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DISCLAIMERS

^<Payload is the GVM minus the Kerb mass. The kerb mass does not include passengers, luggage, cargo, any accessories fitted or any towball download (as appropriate). Payload is distributed across both the front and rear axles, never exceed the GVM or the axle limits. Payload figure is calculated prior to fitment of any tray or body to the vehicle.