2016 Nissan Navara NP300 review - from an ACTUAL owner

[Tkddave]

I'm torn between on of these and the new ranger. Had a d40 2.5 last year but had to buy a van as running cost weren't great. My boss has the v6 and I love it. Anyone know why Nissan aren't dojng the v6 anymore?

 

[Michael S]

I'm torn between on of these and the new ranger. Had a d40 2.5 last year but had to buy a van as running cost weren't great. My boss has the v6 and I love it. Anyone know why Nissan aren't dojng the v6 anymore?

I'm guessing they didn't sell that many and pickups over 2.5l have higher rate of import duty. Presumably VW are building the V6 models in the EU. Having said that I don't know where Ford build their 3.2l.

Michael

 

[Cowabunga]

I'm torn between on of these and the new ranger. Had a d40 2.5 last year but had to buy a van as running cost weren't great. My boss has the v6 and I love it. Anyone know why Nissan aren't dojng the v6 anymore?

Probably to do with getting the low volume Renault V6 to meet ever-stricter emission regulations. Let alone the fact that 99% of commercial operators count buying cost and running costs, including fuel consumption, ahead of how many cylinders the engine has. Anything over 150hp and 350Nm is more than enough for any one-ton pickup, even to tow 3.5 tons.

I wouldn't sniff at a 250hp 500Nm truck though, but only in combination with full-time 4wd, automatic, combined with smart controls designed to keep it on the road and prevent accidents.

 

[Cowabunga]

I'm guessing they didn't sell that many and pickups over 2.5l have higher rate of import duty. Presumably VW are building the V6 models in the EU. Having said that I don't know where Ford build their 3.2l.

Michael

The engine is built at a place called Struandale, Port Elizabeth, in South Africa, a fair distance [700 miles or so] away from the Silverton, Pretoria, assembly plant where Rangers and MazdaBT50 are assembled.

 

[smcapstick]

I'm torn between on of these and the new ranger. Had a d40 2.5 last year but had to buy a van as running cost weren't great. My boss has the v6 and I love it. Anyone know why Nissan aren't dojng the v6 anymore?

They didn't sell many. It was rarely specified on the Navara, even less so in the Laguna and Espace.

Probably to do with getting the low volume Renault V6 to meet ever-stricter emission regulations. Let alone the fact that 99% of commercial operators count buying cost and running costs, including fuel consumption, ahead of how many cylinders the engine has. Anything over 150hp and 350Nm is more than enough for any one-ton pickup, even to tow 3.5 tons.

I wouldn't sniff at a 250hp 500Nm truck though, but only in combination with full-time 4wd, automatic, combined with smart controls designed to keep it on the road and prevent accidents.

I bet anything longer than 10 seconds in the sack is more than enough, too?

Should we ask her?

 

[Drillman]

same
i do it for the love!
thats what my accountant thinks anyway!

Aww come off it. You openly admit you've made £10 profit some months. What about us poor tenant farmers

 

[Drillman]

Probably to do with getting the low volume Renault V6 to meet ever-stricter emission regulations. Let alone the fact that 99% of commercial operators count buying cost and running costs, including fuel consumption, ahead of how many cylinders the engine has. Anything over 150hp and 350Nm is more than enough for any one-ton pickup, even to tow 3.5 tons.

I wouldn't sniff at a 250hp 500Nm truck though, but only in combination with full-time 4wd, automatic, combined with smart controls designed to keep it on the road and prevent accidents.

There really is nothing wrong with 200hp and 475NM torque in a pickup. It just needs a bit of care with how the power is fed in at road junctions etc. The extra 50hp does come in handy at times as well. If it really was unsafe the big American Utes wouldn't have the massive engines they are fitted with.

Although I will agree that a LR style 4wd system would be better.

 

[Jim B]

Good to hear a review from an actual owner, not just some "expert" who just posts speculation / what he's read on the internet and hasn't actually driven one... Thanks for taking the time to write that up smpcapstick.

The firm I work for got 2 of the last D40s at a very good price. I wish they waited for the NP300, but I am happy enough with mine, just the ride isn't brilliant, and dreadful with an unloaded trailer...

The 2.5 in the Navara I think pulls quite well, just done 17,000 and loosened up quite well now, made sure I did a good bit of towing when running in. Be interesting to compare the new 2.3 against it... are they Euro 5, or now Euro 6?

 

[smcapstick]

Good to hear a review from an actual owner, not just some "expert" who just posts speculation / what he's read on the internet and hasn't actually driven one... Thanks for taking the time to write that up smpcapstick.

The firm I work for got 2 of the last D40s at a very good price. I wish they waited for the NP300, but I am happy enough with mine, just the ride isn't brilliant, and dreadful with an unloaded trailer...

The 2.5 in the Navara I think pulls quite well, just done 17,000 and loosened up quite well now, made sure I did a good bit of towing when running in. Be interesting to compare the new 2.3 against it... are they Euro 5, or now Euro 6?

I have owned five D40 2.5s - the new 2.3 is much more refined. It's quieter, too.

As for what Euro spec it is, I think it's a 6. It's really bizarre when hitching the trailer - the exhaust does not smell, it's just like warm air! Really odd. In any even, it's a commercial and therefore on the fixed, lower tax band so really - who cares?

 

[Jim B]

I have owned five D40 2.5s - the new 2.3 is much more refined. It's quieter, too.

How does the 2.3 perform compared to the last 2.5?

 

[smcapstick]

How does the 2.3 perform compared to the last 2.5?

It does not feel as 'raw' and the delivery of torque is much smoother. It's not as thrashy... but then again, it does not need to be. It does not feel as fast but is a bit faster, if you know what I mean?

I used to think I was was going like the clappers in my old black Cortina 1600E with big cams and a Weber 40... until my [now ex] GF cruised past me in her Mondeo TDCi on her way to work. It feels like that.

 

[trev7530]

Is there NFU discounts on the Ranger and NP300, if so what sort of discounts are people getting?

 

[ClaasCows]

Have just got a UFU voucher for a new Ranger, discount is listed on the back for various models, no idea if the NFU discount is the same or not?

 

[massey765]

@smcapstick any further updates. ...good or bad

 

[smcapstick]

@smcapstick any further updates. ...good or bad

All good.

I've had the new new NP300 for 3 1/2 months, now, and done around 4,300 miles - a lot of them with the trailer on. No complaints whatsoever - it's very good on the trailer.

It gets thirsty towing maximum weight at full legal 60mph speed (indicated 64.2mph, as the speedo reads 7% fast), but everything does. Keep it at an indicated 55mph and your MPG goes up dramatically.

 

[H200GT]

Bringing up an old thread as its relevant to me now.

How is everyone getting on with their NP300's?

Looking to place an order for one, however I simply can't decide between auto or manual. I test piloted an auto, whilst nice it did seem to hang onto the gears a bit to much for my liking in the lower gears, I think 4th is particularly held on too long, revving to +3000rpm before changing, making it a little noisy. I think it would get on my nerves long term

Are the gearboxes intelligent, in that they adapt over time to driving style?

if they could pair it to a v6 I think the auto would be better with a better low down torque motor than the current offering. However I wont be opting for the merc V6 version which is due out soon.

 

[ollie989898]

The seats are better designed in the new one compared to the D40. Somehow they take up less room yet are more comfortable?

Steering lock was a welcome improvement, too.

Engine seemed quieter and better hushed than the 2.5 in the D40 as well. Probably will loosen up after 10,000 miles, the D40 I had drove sweetly.

Dash and cabin both utilitarian, seem reasonable quality, OK it's no VW but it's 10K less, after all.

 

[H200GT]

The seats are better designed in the new one compared to the D40. Somehow they take up less room yet are more comfortable?

Steering lock was a welcome improvement, too.

Engine seemed quieter and better hushed than the 2.5 in the D40 as well. Probably will loosen up after 10,000 miles, the D40 I had drove sweetly.

Dash and cabin both utilitarian, seem reasonable quality, OK it's no VW but it's 10K less, after all.

I found the seats smaller as well, not convinced they are more comfy than my current D40, but I guess the demo vehicle was new and seats not yet broken into.

I found the engine quieter like you say, but I thought my current D40 had better low down torque some how, do they loosen up after a bit of use?

have you an auto or manual?

 

[smcapstick]

The auto is adaptive - changes are linked to rpm, loading and pedal position. Keep you foot light and it’ll change up sooner, rather than holding on to a low gear for a long time.

 

[smcapstick]

You’ll get used to it.

Get an auto!