Hold off on the fancy bits, but go full-send on the upgraded suspension, tyres and bolt-ons. The Navara SL Warrior will appeal to those with a smaller budget, but also feels like a well-honed (and well-executed) off-roader that’s ready for action.
2022 Nissan Navara SL Warrior
All killer, no filler. Or something like that, anyway. The Nissan Navara Warrior has an entry-level SL grade, which holds a lot of the mechanical upgrades first seen on the Navara Pro-4X Warrior from Nissan’s partnership with Premcar, but goes light on the other nice to have stuff.
So you’ve got big all-terrain tyres, upgraded suspension, barwork and an increased GVM – matched to cloth seats, rubber flooring and pared-back tech.
It’s a breath of fresh air. When all other utes are gunning for new decor, improved comfort and increases to technology, this SL Warrior feels like it is zigging against the zags. Does it add up, though? Could this SL Warrior strike the right balance and be a four-wheel driver’s best friend?
One thing that’s certainly in its favour (in comparison to the more comprehensively performance-oriented Ranger Raptor) is the fact that the Navara SL Warrior keeps a very healthy price gap. While the Raptor may get you from 0–100km/h quicker, an SL Warrior should get you just as far off-road and keep over $26,000 in your pocket too.
And don’t forget that the Navara Warrior holds a healthy 1024kg payload and full-fat 3500kg braked towing capacity, something that the Ranger Raptor cannot match.
How much does the Nissan Navara Warrior cost in Australia?
The 2022 Nissan Navara SL Warrior follows on behind the range-topping Pro-4X Warrior, which is an all-you-can-eat variant in Nissan’s ute range. The Navara Pro-4X Warrior costs $68,090 (or $2500 more with an automatic transmission), but this SL Warrior costs a cool $10,000 less.
Prices for the 2022 Navara SL Warrior are $58,000 with a six-speed manual transmission, or $60,500 with the seven-speed automatic gearbox (which will undoubtedly be the more popular choice).
Important stuff like the Cooper Discoverer all-terrain tyres, Premcar-tuned and upgraded suspension, bullbar and steering bash plate carry over from the more expensive variant, along with a bunch of other things like a 100kg GVM upgrade, high-clearance tow bar design, revised bump stops, Warrior-style 17-inch alloy wheels, and LED light bar.
The bullbar on the SL Warrior is winch-compatible and comes with hoops (in comparison to the hoop-less design on the Pro-4X Warrior). However, other elements like the body and interior remain the same as the non-Warrior Navara SL.
The big reduction in price does bring a commensurate reduction in equipment, however, which might appeal to a certain buyer who thinks less is more. There’s no keyless entry and push-button start, no leather seats nor electric adjustment, no interior carpeting, no LED headlights, no leather wrap on the steering wheel and gear shifter, and no sports bar.
The infotainment display is missing some features of the more expensive model, and other elements like rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone climate control, illuminated vanity mirrors, 360-degree cameras, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and tyre pressure monitoring has also been removed.
One more thing that’s missing in the case of the SL Warrior, but found on the Pro-4X Warrior, is the underbody bash plate near the engine’s sump and gearbox.
| Key details | 2022 Nissan Navara SL Warrior |
| Price | $60,500 plus on-road costs (automatic) |
| Colour of test car | Pearl White |
| Options | Pearlescent paint – $650 |
| Price as tested | $61,150 plus on-road costs |
| Rivals | Isuzu D-Max | Toyota HiLux Rogue | Ford Ranger Raptor |
How much space does the Nissan Navara Warrior have inside?
Inside the Warrior, your experience is all classic Nissan Navara. Albeit, it’s a base specification.
While many ute buyers might like the idea of – of feel accustomed to – the feel of fancy leathers and the sight of some embroidery, there often isn’t much wrong with a base-specification offering.
And in this case, you are forced to look more acutely at things like storage, practicalities and ergonomics. From that point of view, the Navara is a solid base that makes a good value-for-money case.
The seating position feels relatively high, and lacks a little bit of adjustment that you can see in other four-wheel-drive utes. It’s also the same case in more expensive variants, so you’re better off saving your money.
There’s no reach adjustment on the steering column of the Navara, and there isn’t a lot of underthigh support either.
The build quality feels good overall, and the combination of hard plastics, cloth, and vinyl materials lends it well to a life of serious usage. Both weekday work and weekend recreation.
There is a USB and 12V power outlet up front, with a handy spot for your wallet, along with the same again (plus with a USB-C point) tucked away in the small centre console. Smaller smartphones will fit in the storage slot, but larger ones will sit somewhat awkwardly.
The button blanks that sit in front of the cupholders are a reminder that you didn’t splurge on a higher-specification model, but will also work well for those who are eyeing off some accessories like a winch, extra lighting, or other 12V goodies.
The second row of the Navara is reasonably spacious and comfortable – as far as dual-cab utes go – and would work for a part-time split between family and work. There are air vents for back passengers but no power outlets.
The amount of legroom and headroom is around on par with other utes in the segment, and bottles can fit in doors. The storage slot below the air vents is very small, but a fold-down armrest in the middle seat does free up some extra space.
The tub of the Navara benefits from a drop-in-style tub liner, and misses out on the (purely aesthetic) sports bar of more expensive variants. There are four tie-down points in here, but no adjustable load rail or power outlet.
| 2022 Nissan Navara SL Warrior | |
| Seats | Five |
| Tub dimensions | 1509mm long 1560mm wide 519mm high |
| Length | 5350mm |
| Width | 1920mm |
| Height | 1865mm |
| Wheelbase | 3150mm |
Does the Nissan Navara Warrior have Apple CarPlay?
Infotainment in the Warrior comes via a good quality 8.0-inch infotainment display, which was upgraded to Nissan’s latest in the recent round of updates to the Navara platform.
It’s a good one as well. SL Warrior misses out on some elements such as native navigation and digital radio, but the important inclusions of wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are there, and the operating system is easy to use. Some physical buttons on each side of the screen help with navigation, and the two dials, one for volume and one for tuning, are always an important inclusion.
However, this base SL spec doesn’t skimp on size and screen clarity, and you get a good 7.0-inch colour multifunction display in front of the driver. Another important point to note here is that during our time with the car, the infotainment system worked without any issue.
Is the Nissan Navara Warrior a safe car?
Nissan’s Navara scored a five-star ANCAP safety score back in 2015, when requirements were not a stringent as they are today. There are seven airbags inside, along with autonomous emergency braking and forward collision warning.
However, SL-specification Navara models (including this Warrior) miss out on the more comprehensive suite of active safety equipment: lane-departure warning (and collision avoidance), blind-spot monitoring (and avoidance), rear cross-traffic alert, and tyre pressure monitoring are missing from this cheaper variant.
The Navara SL Warrior also misses out on reverse parking sensors and the surround-view camera system.
It’s also worth noting that while the vehicle itself will not change, an amendment to ANCAP’s ratings means the Nissan Navara (along with a handful of other vehicles) is set to lose its five-star ANCAP safety rating at the end of the year.
| 2022 Nissan Navara SL Warrior | |
| ANCAP rating | Five stars (tested 2015) |
| Safety report | Link to ANCAP report |
How much does the Nissan Navara cost to maintain?
Using Nissan’s pre-paid service calculator, you’re looking at $1753 for three years (or 45,000km) or $2860 for five years (or 75,000km) for keeping your service manual up to date with stamps. This averages out to be around $575 per year in servicing, and sits at the more expensive end of the spectrum, in comparison to other utes.
Insurance costs for a Navara SL Warrior come in at $1432.76 for 12 months based on a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.
| At a glance | 2022 Nissan Navara SL Warrior |
| Warranty | Five years, unlimited km |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Servicing costs | $1753 (3 years) $2860 (5 years) |
Is the Nissan Navara Warrior fuel-efficient?
Nissan’s 2.3-litre twin-turbocharged diesel engine is a relatively frugal operator, and uses an additional turbocharger to make up for the relatively low overall capacity. But with a seven-speed automatic gearbox, the Navara has often been one of the more efficient in the range of four-wheel-drive utes.
Although, the taller all-terrain tyres and additional weight from accessories would make the SL Navara a little less efficient in comparison to a more ‘standard’ Navara.
In comparison to the claim of 7.9 litres per hundred kilometres, we got 9.2L/100km overall in our test drive, which included highway driving, off-roading and cruising around town.
Fuel Consumption – brought to you by bp
| Fuel Useage | Fuel Stats |
| Fuel cons. (claimed) | 7.9L/100km |
| Fuel cons. (on test) | 9.2L/100km |
| Fuel type | Diesel |
| Fuel tank size | 80L |
What is the Nissan Navara Warrior like to drive?
The improvements that Premcar has made to the Navara through suspension upgrades – along with Nissan’s constant fettling with the platform over the years – has resulted in a vehicle that is better in every regard for the driver. Not just off-road, where the benefits are more obvious. The on-road driving experience is better as well.
There’s a 40mm ride height increase, along with a 30mm increase in track width from the Navara’s new wheels. More height might not sound like a good start for road-going characteristics, but the net gains are certainly in the Warrior’s benefits.
Mostly, it comes from ride quality. It feels both more cosseting and assured at the same time, able to soak up larger bumps smartly but feeling more connected and communicative. It combines well with the steering feel, which is still hydraulically assisted in the Navara.
The 2.3-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine feels quite willing from the get-go, combining well with the seven-speed automatic gearbox to provide smooth and easy performance.
Only when up at highway speeds, and looking to get even more out of the powertrain through overtaking, does the engine start to feel like it’s working overtime. The torque in the lower middle rev ranges is good, but power at the top end of the range is less impressive under heavier loads. We have noticed this before when towing heavy loads, where the Navara’s performance isn’t as impressive as other utes in the segment.
Off-road, the combination of good torque and good gearing makes the Navara feel happy at low speeds. A crawl ratio of 44.5:1 is good for a standard four-wheel drive, and when combined with a softly tuned throttle, it allows the driver to negotiate tricky obstacles with a controllable low speed.
The additional ground clearance is of clear benefit, along with better (and taller) tyres giving much more assuredness to the driver over obstacles. Aside from a Ranger Raptor and Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, this would be one of the better off-road utes off the showroom floor.
Another small element that the Navara misses out on is the ability to select different driving modes – including an off-road mode. It’s a nice thing to have, and no doubt heralds driving modes as a more common inclusion amongst future utes.
However, we also didn’t mind not having it. A locked rear differential working in conjunction with effective traction control, good underbody clearance and supple, balanced suspension makes the Navara one of the better utes off-road. This is only improved with the Warrior treatment.
There is some nice attention to detail underneath as well. The shape of the rear differential (complete with diff breathers) is complementary to off-road ground clearance, and there are no side steps or leaf spring perches to worry about getting hung up on. It’s a genuinely good ute off-road.
Higher-speed off-road driving – on rough dirt roads and fire trails – also yields benefits. This isn’t something that will keep up with a Ranger Raptor, but it’s significantly more capable, comfortable and composed in these conditions. And considering the kind of buyer I have in mind for this vehicle (someone keen to four-wheel drive their way to some of Australia’s lesser seen hot spots), this is an important point.
| Key details | 2022 Nissan Navara SL Warrior |
| Engine | 2.3-litre four-cylinder twin-turbo diesel |
| Power | 140kW @ 3750rpm |
| Torque | 450Nm @ 1500–2500rpm |
| Drive type | Part-time four-wheel drive, low-range transfer case & locking rear differential |
| Transmission | Seven-speed torque converter automatic, |
| Weight (kerb) | 2224kg |
| Spare tyre type | Full-size |
| Tow rating | 3500kg braked 750kg unbraked |
| Turning circle | 12.5m |
Should I buy a Nissan Navara SL Warrior?
This SL Warrior – a more pure take on the Premcar treatment – works well overall. Aside from missing out on some important safety technology, cost-saving omissions made on this vehicle don’t seem to detract from the base offering.
And in some cases, it allows the elements of suspension, bolt-ons and better rubber to shine even more.
The Navara platform is getting old these days, but it’s still a nice car to spend time in. It steers nicely (for a ute), and the Navara’s coil-spring suspension at all four corners is made even better by the Warrior treatment.
Parts of this car will always live in the shadow of the Ford Ranger Raptor as a serious off-road offering. But because of those cohesive suspension and tyre improvements (along with important details like the GVM upgrade and redesigned tow bar), you’ve got something that’s more compelling to core four-wheel-drive wants than a Toyota HiLux Rogue and its widened wheel track.
And don’t forget, the thousand-kilo payload and 3500kg braked towing capacity will be welcome news to those who want to use their utes more seriously in a professional or recreational manner.
However, the main competition for this Navara Warrior won’t be from other utes, but rather from the Navara owners and the aftermarket industry. Just over $10,000 for the changes seems to be a fair price, though, especially when you include the smaller details like the small GVM upgrade.
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