The Nissan Navara is a compact or mid-size pickup truck first produced in 1985.
Nissan Navara Design and Introduction
The Nissan Navara D21 series is the first first started off as a successor to the Datsun 720. It was sold as a Navara in certain markets including Australia and New Zealand, but was also known as the Datsun Truck in the Japanese domestic market. There were two distinct body styles for this pickup truck. The Datsun Truck sold in Japan used an A body style, offered as single and dual cab variants, while the Navara or Hardbody sold in other markets used an S body style with a wider front end and different hood. It was developed at Nissan's San Diego office for use in the United States. There was a wide range of engine choices for this Nissan pickup truck, ranging from a 1.6L inline-4 to a 3.0L V6. Multiple inline-4 turbodiesel engines were available as well. Transmission options included 3 or 4-speed automatic and 4 or 5-speed manuals.
The D22 Navara Release
In 1997, the D22 series Nissan Navara was released. In North America, it was sold under the Nissan Frontier model name, as a 2-door truck available in regular car and King Cab variants. In 1999, a 4-door version hit the markets as a 2000 model year. The initial engine choice was a 2.4L inline-4 but a larger 3.3L V6 was added in 1999, along with many other options reaching as low as 2.0L displacement. In 2000, the exterior styling was updated and a supercharged version of the V6 engine was added to the lineup. Diesel options in the 2.5L to 3.1L ranger were also available, providing incredible reliability for the many markets it was offered in. Power ranged from a mere 100 horsepower in the smallest 2.0L engine up to 210 horsepower in the 3.3L V6.
Second Generation Updates
The second generation D40 Nissan Navara and Frontier was released in 2004. It moved to the new Nissan F-Alpha platform as a body on frame design that looked more similar to the larger Nissan Titan truck. It was available in two-wheel and four-wheel drive variants. This generation saw the engine increase in size up to a 4.0L V6 engine with 261 horsepower and 281 lb ft of torque, although most of those were used on the US-market's Frontier. The Frontier also increased in towing capacity to 6,500 pounds, making it a more attractive option for those with serious towing needs. Most Navaras sold in Europe had a 2.5L turbodiesel with 142 horsepower and 172 lb ft of torque, while a V6 gasoline option was also available. It was available in four different trim levels, the base S, SE, Outlaw, and Aventura. The Aventura was the top trim level and added luxury features like leather upholstery, six-disc CD changer, and satellite navigation. In other markets such as Australia, South Africa, and South America, the top trim models did not have these luxury touches, and instead focused on more affordability and utility as a commercial truck. In 2010, the Navara had a slight design update with a refined front end, and added a new 3.0L V6 turbodiesel with 240 horsepower and 369 lb ft of torque, stepping up into a new level of power. Larger 17 or 18-inch wheels were also part of the changes, while the interior received a new layout with higher tech updates like speed-sensitive stereo.
Third Generation Changes
The third generation Nissan Navara (D23) was released in 2014. It was produced in many countries around the world, with Prakan, Thailand handling a major amount of the production, but also were eventually built in Spain, Mexico, China, and Argentina facilities. The engine choices were now paired down to inline-4 options only, including a 2.5L gasoline and a 2.3L turbodiesel engine. Those who wanted the larger V6 engine could still purchase the previous D40 generation truck, which remained in production for certain markets. The Navara and Frontier sold well throughout the years, with the US, Thailand, Philippines, and Mexico markets being some of the largest purchases. Mexico and the US each averaged well over 50,000 units per year for most of the 2010s, while Thailand and the Philippines were closer to 20,000 units annually each. An updated Navara came to the market in 2020, along with the Pro-4X trim level with active safety equipment. The X-Class truck was produced shortly as a partnership with Mercedes-Benz, but was discontinued due to a disagreement regarding production costs.