2021 Nissan Navara 2.5L Single Cab Manual Review

In recent years, the demand for "utility-focused + basic comfort" in Malaysia's commercial vehicle market has been steadily increasing. The 2021 Nissan Navara 2.5L Single Cab Manual has become a popular choice in the midsize pickup truck market segment, attracting many individual entrepreneurs and small engineering users with its diesel engine's torque advantage and 4x4 driving capabilities. This test drive focuses on evaluating its practicality for loading, off-road performance, and everyday driving convenience to see if this vehicle can balance work needs with occasional personal usage.

From the exterior, the 2021 Navara single cab version retains the classic rugged style of a pickup truck. The front features Nissan's family-style V-Motion grille, paired with black plastic cladding, offering high recognizability. The body lines are mostly straight, with no unnecessary decorations on the sides, emphasizing its practicality; the height of the cargo bed sides is moderate, making it convenient for loading and unloading goods. The rear design is simple and straightforward, with halogen taillights that match the vehicle's overall style. Overall, the exterior avoids excessive flashy designs, aligning with its utility-oriented positioning.

Stepping into the cabin, the interior predominantly uses hard black plastic, which feels firm but has even seams, suggesting good durability. The dashboard layout is straightforward, with a multifunction steering wheel that supports volume adjustment and telephone controls, making it user-friendly. The 7-inch touchscreen does not come with a rearview camera but supports Bluetooth connectivity, which is adequate for everyday phone calls. The seats are made of fabric material; the driver’s seat offers 4-way manual adjustment, while the passenger seat offers 2-way manual adjustment. Though lacking electric adjustments, the range of adjustments can accommodate most driving postures. Notably, the vehicle comes equipped with a 220V/230V power outlet, which is very practical for users who need to operate small appliances at construction sites. The keyless entry function also enhances daily convenience.

As a single-row model, the interior only provides two seats, with ample front-row space. A passenger with a height of 175cm seated in the driver's seat will have more than one fist of room for both head and leg space. While the official specifications for the cargo bed dimensions are not provided, in practical experience, it is sufficient to carry a small generator or two boxes of goods, meeting basic cargo transportation needs. In terms of storage space, the door panel compartments can hold two water bottles, and the storage slot below the dashboard can accommodate a phone and documents, meeting basic utility requirements.

In terms of performance, the vehicle is equipped with a 2.5L turbocharged diesel engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 163PS and a peak torque that kicks in at around 2000rpm, paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. The clutch engagement point is clear during start-up, making it easy to handle even for beginners; the low-end torque output is abundant, and the vehicle accelerates smoothly even when fully loaded. When overtaking, downshifting results in a prompt power response. While cruising at 100km/h on the highway, the engine runs at about 2500rpm, and the noise is within an acceptable range.

The handling performance aligns with the pickup truck's positioning. The steering wheel requires slightly heavier effort but offers precise handling, providing good stability during high-speed driving. The front suspension features a double-wishbone independent structure, and the rear suspension has leaf springs. When unladen, the vehicle experiences noticeable bumps while crossing speed bumps; however, the suspension compresses when fully loaded, improving comfort. The 4x4 drivetrain system is easy to switch, making it simple to tackle muddy roads or light off-road situations by engaging low-speed four-wheel drive. It is suitable for users who occasionally need to navigate unpaved roads.

In terms of fuel consumption, this test drive covered urban roads, highways, and a small number of unpaved roads, with a combined fuel consumption of approximately 8.5L/100km. For a 2.5T diesel pickup truck, this performance is considered average. The braking performance is stable, with a linear braking force from the front ventilated disc brakes. During emergency braking, the vehicle maintains good body posture control without noticeable nose-diving.

In terms of driving comfort, the interior noise mainly comes from the engine and tires. Wind noise becomes slightly noticeable at high speeds, but it remains within the normal range for pickups in this class. The seats offer good support, making long-distance driving less tiring. Features such as the rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlights enhance convenience during rainy and nighttime driving.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2021 Nissan Navara 2.5L Single Cab Manual lie in the torque performance of its diesel engine, the off-road capability of its 4x4 drive, and its practical configurations (such as the 220V power outlet and keyless entry). Compared to the single-cab version of the Toyota Hilux, it is priced lower (RM 91,900), offers more features, and provides better value for money.

This vehicle is suitable for individual entrepreneurs prioritizing cargo transport and occasionally tackling unpaved roads, such as small renovation company owners or farmers. It doesn’t offer many luxury features but comes with comprehensive basic functions, emphasizing durability and practicality to meet work-related needs effectively. If you need a reliable work vehicle that also provides a bit of daily driving comfort, this single-cab Navara is worth considering.