The Nissan Navara has just received a robust set of updates designed to make it more competitive against other offerings like the Isuzu D-Max. These workhorses are vying for market share against their main competitors, the Toyota HiLux and the Ford Ranger.
The updated Navara has a tougher look than ever, featuring a stronger rear axle, larger rear brakes, a more spacious cabin, new steering wheel and instrument designs, as well as a set of new active safety features.
The D-Max entered the market in mid-2020 and has experienced such high demand that stock shortages have become a headache for its manufacturer. It remains as utilitarian as ever but is infinitely more refined and technological than its predecessor.
The models we are comparing here are the Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain and the Nissan Navara ST-X.
Their respective prices are $62,900 for the Isuzu and $58,270 for the Nissan. However, these figures are not as crucial as the starting price, which at the time of writing this article, according to each brand’s website, was $59,990 and $58,270 respectively for private buyers.
Common features for both include 18-inch alloy wheels with road tires, LED headlights, keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, digital speedometer, automatic wipers, and bed liner.
The Isuzu comes standard with leather seats and electric adjustment for the driver’s side, unlike the Nissan. However, for an additional $1,500, you can upgrade the Nissan’s fabric seats to leather with electric adjustment and heating for both front occupants.
The Isuzu has unique features such as wireless Apple CarPlay, an eight-speaker sound system (the Nissan has six speakers), a roll-style hard cover, sail-style body kit, remote engine start function, and roof rails.
The Nissan boasts exclusive features like an auto-dimming rearview mirror, movable bed anchors on rails, a 360-degree camera (the Isuzu has a rearview camera), a steel sports bar, a sliding rear window, rear privacy glass, and an assisted tailgate.
You can also opt for a sunroof in the Nissan along with the previously mentioned leather seat package, with a combined cost of $2,500.
Both vehicles share seven airbags (two front, two in each front seat, full-length side curtains, and driver’s knee), autonomous emergency braking with forward collision alert, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors.
The Isuzu adds a front center airbag, active lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, ultrasound deceleration mitigation, and front parking sensors to this list.
The ANCAP crash test organization awarded the D-Max a five-star rating according to the latest 2020 protocols. The Nissan is also a five-star ANCAP vehicle but with a 2015 date stamp.
In terms of rear seats, both offer grab handles on the B-pillars, rear ventilation grilles, a rear USB port, cupholders, and child seat anchors. Only the Nissan provides a sliding rear window, a small but valuable feature.
Although both are capable of handling family tasks, the D-Max has a better package. This is because, despite its shorter wheelbase, it offers more legroom in the rear seats.
The Isuzu’s roll cover is secure, but it’s worth noting that it also reduces the cargo capacity. The Nissan stands out with a higher payload, 1024 kg, which is 54 kg more than the D-Max.
What’s Under the Hood?
The power of both vehicles is identical, although the Isuzu has a 700 cc larger displacement.
The D-Max’s 3.0-liter four-cylinder diesel engine has a power of 140 kW at 3,600 rpm and a maximum torque of 450 Nm at 1,600 rpm. In contrast, the Nissan’s 2.3-liter twin-turbo diesel four-cylinder produces 140 kW at 3,750 rpm and 450 Nm at 1,500 rpm.
The Isuzu uses a six-speed automatic transmission, while the Nissan has seven gears.
Both come with part-time 4×4 traction, defaulting to rear-wheel drive and can switch to high-range 4×4 on the fly, and then low-range 4×4 once the vehicle is stopped and shifted into neutral.
Isuzu claims a fuel consumption of 8.0 l/100 km, compared to the Nissan’s 7.9 l/100 km, with a tank capacity of 76 l and 80 l, respectively.
Both are equipped to tow up to 3.5 tons with trailer brakes.
The Isuzu’s engine is a powerhouse that, despite its average power, delivers a strong response. The gearbox is smart enough to stay in the same gear and rely on the torque band rather than hunting for its ratios.
The latest Navara update has not brought any changes to the engine. The 2.3-liter uses low and high-pressure turbos. It doesn’t feel as strong as the D-Max, but it has an extra gear ratio to play with, meaning they are more spaced out, and the seventh gear helps reduce fuel consumption and increase highway refinement.
The power-assisted steering of the Isuzu is much lighter and, therefore, more responsive than the Nissan’s, which has a hydraulically assisted setup. This means the D-Max’s steering wheel offers less road feel but is much easier on the arms.
Regarding suspension, the D-Max uses more conventional leaf springs at the rear compared to the Navara’s five links and two-stage coils. Surprisingly, the Isuzu feels a bit softer and more flexible, while the Navara drives a bit more firmly.
In conclusion, the Nissan’s steering is heavier, the engine is quieter, and the suspension is less plush but faster to settle the body. However, the Isuzu feels more agile, with more grip and flexibility.
Highlights of the Isuzu D-Max
The standout features of the Isuzu’s cabin are its front seats, which are super comfortable and reminiscent of those in an old Commodore, designed to withstand the more robust types.
The steering wheel now has telescopic adjustment, unlike the old D-Max, and the onboard computer includes a digital speedometer.
The central touchscreen is larger than most competitors, and although the home screen is not excessively intuitive, the maps are excellent, and the availability of wireless Apple CarPlay is very useful if you’re allergic to clutter in the cabin.
The sound system is also excellent, thanks in large part to the roof-mounted speakers.
Ventilation functions are controlled by a series of rocker switches that look much more stylish than Nissan’s ventilation control bank, although the functions are the same.
There are plenty of padded touchpoints on the doors, dashboard, and along the central tunnel, adding a nice feel.
There is also more storage space in the cabin than the Nissan offers, including a cubby above the dashboard, two sliding cupholders, and dual-lock glove compartments.
Highlights of the Nissan Navara
The new design of the steering wheel is much better than the previous Navara, as is the onboard computer, which features more pleasant graphics and more elegant menus than the Isuzu.
The Nissan’s screen, an inch smaller (8.0 inches vs. 9.0 inches), is flanked by buttons and, unlike the D-Max, has volume and map zoom controls. It also has a side-view camera, although the resolution is a bit grainy.
Although the Nissan’s interior is not as stylish as the new Isuzu’s and has more hard plastics, its build quality is superior to the Isuzu, which has some details that squeak next to the solid Navara.
Conclusion
In summary, both the Isuzu D-Max and the Nissan Navara have their strengths and unique features. The choice between them would depend on individual preferences and priorities, such as comfort, technology, off-road capability, and towing capacity.
