Being a city apartment dweller may not put me in the best position for testing the Utes that are now dominating the vehicle market – or does it?
Increasingly these vehicles are being sold to those looking for for an urban-lifestyle vehicle than a work horse, and it is models such as this top-of-the-line Nissan Navara ST-X that are catching their eye.
For the suburban cowboy, features such as bluetooth, cruise control, partial leather, heated electric seats, a touch-screen infotainment system with GPS, and LED lighting are as attractive as the Utes more traditional workhorse virtues.
The NP300 replaces the squared-off D40 Navara, and while no doubt softer in look, its subtle curved haunches make it very tough and masculine looking.
Inside the interior sicks close to current Nissan form, looking much like the popular X-Trail. There is a car-like dashboard with a large centre screen. The front seats are comfortable for a workman-sized person, while the back seat flips up for storage convenience.
The STX receives a twin-turbo 2.3-litre four-cylinder double-overhead camshaft (DOHC) diesel unit, producing 140Kw with 450Nm. This engine’s 
combined fuel economy is rated at 6.3L/100km, and C02 emissions are 166g/km.
It is a strong unit, although I am not sure it feels like it has quite the urge on road as either the Ranger or Colorado engines. The seven-speed automatic is smooth and shifts intelligently.
Much has been made of the Navara being the first with a five-link coil-sprung rear suspension setup, over traditional leaf springs, and certainly my impressions are that it almost eliminates the bounce found in Utes with an empty tray.
Active brake limited slip (ABLS) optimises the driving force of each wheel in slippery conditions on four-wheel-drive models.
The ABLS functions on all wheels, whereas mechanical LSD only works on rear wheels says Nissan. Brake Limited Slip Differential is across both 4×2 and 4×4 grades.
Hill Start Assist in the ST-X 4×4 models prevents it from rolling backwards after the brake is released when on a slope greater than 10 degrees for a period of two seconds.
The shift-on-the-fly 4WD system lets the driver switch between 2WD and 4WD (4H mode) with the simple twist of a dial, at speeds of up to 100km/h.
I initially felt the NP300 felt a little harder to manoeuvre around our tight city parking building, but on research its 12.4m kerb-to-kerb turning circle of 12.4 is the match of the market leading Ranger, and better than Colorado or Amarok, although all of these fall behind the Triton on this measure.
All double cab pickup grades feature ventilated disc front brakes, rear drum brakes. The ST-X wheels are 18-inch.
Nissan should be applauded for including the Utili-Track system in ST-X’s tray, as well as a partial liner.
Set down into the tray, this rail and loop system means downward pressure can be exerted on the load in the tray when securing it. We found this of great benefit when taking a load of office furniture to the tip.
The NP 300 Navara ST-X double cab retails at $64,990.
