What is it: 

This is the entry model to the Nissan Navara Warrior range and it is arguably better suited to genuine off-road driving compared to the leather-lined Pro-4X edition.

It gets the same mega upgrades (heavy-duty off-road suspension, wheels and tyres) but, based on the SL, it is equipped with a vinyl floor and cloth seats which makes it easier to clean out mud and dirt.

Price:

The Nissan Navara SL Warrior is listed at $58,750 plus on-road costs, which normally works out to be about $62,000 drive-away.

But as this article was published there was an offer of $59,990 drive-away.

This compares to the Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior which is currently listed at $67,990 drive-away.

Both prices massively undercut the Toyota HiLux GR Sport (about $82,000 drive-away) and the Ford Ranger Raptor (about $98,000 drive-away).

Of course, there is a power and performance difference between the Nissan, Ford and Toyota.

But the Navara SL Warrior is closer to the capabilities of these rivals than a standard Navara. And the upgrades are backed by warranty and have been extensively tested to Nissan standards.

Or look at it another way. The Nissan Navara SL Warrior is even cheaper than the Ford Ranger XL Black Edition ($63,000 drive-away), which gets black wheels, a sports bar and drop-in bed liner – but none of the off-road upgrades that come with the SL Warrior.

ANCAP safety rating:

The current generation Nissan Navara five-star safety rating expired last year because the results are now date-stamped to run for six years (so consumers can compare apples with apples as the test criteria gets tougher over time).

However, the Nissan Navara SL Warrior has more standard safety equipment than the Navara had in 2015 when it earned its five-star safety score.

Engine:

There is no extra power for the twin-turbo 2.3-litre four-cylinder diesel engine (140kW/450Nm) compared to the standard Nissan Navara.

And this output is modest compared to newer competition.

But it still gets the job done and is surprisingly efficient.

Transmission:

The Nissan Navara has a seven-speed auto in a segment dominated by six- or 10-speed automatics.

It’s a smooth operator and doesn’t ‘hunt’ like a lot of 10-speed automatics do.

0 to 100km/h (as tested):

This won’t pin your ears back. It did 0 to 100kmh in 11.4 seconds using our precision VBox timing equipment.

This performance is average to below average in the diesel double-cab ute segment.

These are not race cars, of course, but as a guide this time is slower than a Toyota HiLux 2.8, Isuzu D-Max 3.0 and the Ford Ranger 2.0TT, which all hover in the 10 to 11 second bracket.

Emergency braking from 100km/h (as tested): 

It pulled up from 100kmh in an emergency stop in 44.7 metres.

This compares to 42 to 44 metres for most diesel double cab utes – and 46 to 47 metres for diesel double cab utes with gnarly off-road tyres.

So on balance, the Cooper Discoverer AT3 275/70/17 tyres on the Nissan Navara Warrior performed better than we expected. However we did not get to test them in the wet on this occasion.

Good points:

This is a handsome vehicle and the upgrades are epic if you’re a genuine off-road enthusiast – or you want extra peace of mind when you go camping because of the vehicle’s additional capability.

I like the fact it has vinyl flooring and fabric seats. It’s easier to clean.

The SL Warrior gets the same off-road shock absorbers, springs, wheels and tyres as the flagship Pro-4X Warrior.

The wheels have a different offset to deliver a slightly wider stance for better road holding and off-road stability.

The Warrior tow bar has been redesigned so you can carry a matching full size spare wheel and tyre, and it’s tucked out of the way so it doesn’t turn into a plough off-road.

The suspension is surprisingly comfortable in the daily grind, though it’s smoother at highway speeds and a bit firm at low speeds (which is to be expected on a vehicle with this much capability).

Thankfully, the tyres don’t hum as much as I was expecting at freeway speeds.

I like the subtle dim overhead light in the cabin at night so you can search for something in the centre console.

And there are ‘puddle’ lamps under the front doors that illuminate at night when you open either of the front doors.

The overall build quality (of the donor vehicle and the Warrior upgrades done by Premcar in Melbourne, the firm formerly behind Ford Performance Vehicles) is excellent.

The doors close with a thud. There were no squeaks or rattles. This feels factory the whole way through.

Fuel economy was good despite wide and cushy off-road tyres that can sap energy.

We got between 7.6 and 10.1L/100km on test compared to the fuel rating label average which is 8.1L/100km

Bad points:

Halogen headlights were barely ok on low beam and very poor on high beam.

There is an extra high beam LED light strip on this model thanks to the Warrior upgrade, but they point too high and not far enough down the road.

It would be good to have a better spread of light of the LED bar near and far in front of the car.

Rear camera view is fuzzy day or night; high-definition cameras are the norm these days.

Extendable sun visors would be nice, to better block side glare.

No radar cruise control or speed sign recognition on this model.

What the haters say:

You’d pay how much for a base model Nissan Navara SL?

What the haters don’t understand:

This is no base model.

Think of the Nissan Navara SL Warrior as a Pro-4X Warrior with vinyl floors, cloth seats and halogen headlights (and minus a few other luxuries).

At $59,990 drive-away it is still a chunk of change.

But what other double-cab ute has this level of hardcore off-road ability at this price?

Should you buy one?

If the idea of a good weekend away is getting up to your waist in mud on the way to a far flung campsite, this is the vehicle for you.

It’s the cheapest ticket into a new double-cab ute with genuine hardcore off-road ability.

Also consider:

Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior, Toyota HiLux GR Sport, Ford Ranger Raptor.