Nissan Navara 2005 Review

2005 Nissan Navara public is a practical mid-size pickup truck that focuses on durable diesel power, practical space design, and stable handling, catering to both work payload and family travel needs.

TBC

Nissan Navara 2005

Body Type

Pickup

Segment

Capacity(L)

Engine Power(PS)

Engine Torque(Nm)

Transmission

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Review

User Review

In a market environment where pickup trucks are gradually becoming the main force of multi-functional vehicles, the 2005 Nissan Navara public, positioned as a practical mid-size pickup, focuses on durability and space advantages, attracting many consumers who need to balance work and family use. This time we got the actual vehicle, and the core purpose is to test its performance in daily driving and load scenarios, as well as whether its design and configuration meet the needs of today's users.

From the exterior, the 2005 Navara adopts a typical rugged pickup design style, with a square overall outline. The front grille with chrome accents, combined with Nissan's iconic round logo, has high recognition. The wheel arch lines on the sides of the body are prominent, paired with 16-inch steel wheels, enhancing its off-road feel. The rear cargo box's sideboard design is simple, equipped with black anti-scratch strips, prioritizing practicality over decoration. In terms of the lighting system, the front headlights use halogen light sources, which, although moderate in brightness, can meet basic lighting needs when driving at night. The taillights are vertically arranged, echoing the side body lines, and they provide clear visibility when illuminated.

Inside, the interior is predominantly made of dark-colored plastics, with a design leaning toward practicality. The center console layout is simple, with the upper section housing the radio and air conditioning controls. The button sizes are large and intuitive, allowing easy operation even while wearing gloves. The seats are made of fabric, with adequate support in the backrest and cushion of the front seats, making long drives less tiresome. The rear seats offer average space; for passengers around 175 cm tall, there is approximately two fist-widths of legroom. Short trips are relatively comfortable, but longer journeys may feel slightly cramped. In terms of storage space, the storage slots on the door panels can hold two 500ml bottles of water, and the central armrest box is deep enough to store phones and small items, meeting daily utilization needs.

As for power, this Navara is equipped with a 2.5L inline four-cylinder diesel engine, delivering a maximum power of 106kW and a maximum torque of 356N·m, paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. During start-up, the engine outputs noticeable torque at around 1500 rpm, and even with 4 passengers aboard, there is no feeling of insufficient power. During acceleration, the gear shifts are clear, and the shift travel is moderate. When paired with the diesel engine’s low torque advantage, overtaking simply requires pressing the accelerator deeply, resulting in direct power response. In terms of driving modes, although it doesn't offer multiple mode options, the basic economic mode already meets daily commuting needs.

In terms of handling experience, the steering wheel has a relatively heavy feel but offers precise directional feedback. While driving on urban roads, the wheel's position can be clearly sensed. The chassis utilizes a combination of front double-wishbone independent suspension and rear leaf spring non-independent suspension. This structure makes the rear seat feel slightly bouncy when unloaded. However, under load conditions, the leaf spring's support advantage becomes evident, providing a stable body posture without significant sinking. When driving over speed bumps or uneven road surfaces, the suspension filters out most minor vibrations, and the vibrations transmitted into the cabin are relatively smooth, without a harsh impact.

In the fuel consumption test, we drove 100 km each on city roads and highways. The average fuel consumption was approximately 8.5L/100km on urban roads and 7.2L/100km on highways. The overall performance aligns with expectations for a diesel pickup, making it fuel-efficient and suitable for users who frequently travel long distances or require load capacity. Regarding noise control, while the diesel engine produces noticeable noise at idle, the wind noise and tire noise during driving are kept within an acceptable range, ensuring that communication between passengers inside the vehicle is not affected.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2005 Nissan Navara lie in its durable diesel engine, practical space design, and stable handling performance. Compared to its counterpart, the Toyota Hilux, it offers better value for money. While it may not come with many fancy features, it excels in fundamental practicality. This vehicle is suitable for users who need to balance work-related hauling and family outings, such as small business owners, construction site professionals, or families who enjoy outdoor camping. The bed can carry tools and camping gear, while the rear seating space can accommodate family members for short trips.

In summary, the 2005 Navara is a "practical" pickup truck. It does not focus on flashy designs or high-end features but prioritizes engine reliability and spatial practicality. If you need a vehicle that is both "work-capable" and "family-friendly," this is a model worth considering.

Pros

Diesel engines are powerful, making it easy to climb hills and carry cargo (furniture, building materials, etc.), suitable for rough country roads and muddy palm plantation roads in Malaysia

The tough and rugged pickup exterior is classic and enduring, with high recognition. The high chassis gives a sense of security when driving on waterlogged and uneven roads

The interior is practical with large and clear buttons, supporting blind operation. Fabric seats are not stuffy in hot and humid climates, and storage space is ample

Cons

When the speed exceeds 120km/h, wind noise and engine noise increase significantly, and acceleration is not very sharp.

The paintwork is relatively thin and easily scratched by branches, leaving marks, and some vehicles require paint repairs due to paint aging.

No modern active safety features (e.g., automatic braking), with relatively outdated safety configurations for older cars.

Overall Rating

4.5

Excellent

From 7 Reviews

Section Rating

Performance

4.6 / 5

Interior Design

4.6 / 5

Safety

4.1 / 5

Exterior Design

4.7 / 5

Showing 7 reviews

4 Excellent

CRV_4WD

Owner of 2005 Nissan Navara public

As the owner of a 2005 Nissan Navara public, after driving it in Malaysia for several years, I feel the overall experience has been quite good. First, let’s talk about performance, giving it a 4-star rating seems reasonable. Everyone knows what Malaysian roads are like, besides highways, many countryside roads are bumpy, and sometimes I even have to drive through muddy palm plantation paths. The diesel engine of the Navara is pretty powerful, climbing hills or hauling some loads (like helping friends move furniture or building materials on weekends) is effortless, and the manual transmission shifts fairly smoothly. However, since it's an old car, when driving on highways at speeds over 120km/h, the wind noise and engine noise become more noticeable, and acceleration isn’t as sharp, but it’s totally fine for daily use. In terms of appearance, it’s also a 4-star. The Navara’s design back then was quite rugged, with its boxy shape, large grille, and high ground clearance, which make driving in places like Malaysia, where there’s often standing water, feel especially safe. Although it doesn’t look as stylish as the newer models now, the classic pickup truck design is still very appealing, especially when parked on the roadside, its recognition is quite high. The only small pity is that the paint is a bit thin and can easily get scratched by tree branches on the roadside, but for an old car, this small issue is acceptable. Overall, as a family car and occasionally for hauling loads, the practicality and durability of the Navara in Malaysia are undeniable.

5 Excellent

E92_335

Owner of 2005 Nissan Navara public

As the owner of a 2005 Nissan Navara, having driven it in Malaysia for nearly ten years, this pickup truck truly understands local road conditions! First, let’s talk about the interior. I’d give it 4 points because it’s practical but not exactly refined—the center console is all hard plastic, but the buttons are large and clear, making it easy to operate blindly when stuck in Kuala Lumpur traffic. The seats are fabric, which may not feel as premium as leather, but with Malaysia’s year-round heat and humidity, fabric seats don’t feel stuffy, and I really like that. Performance definitely deserves a 5! Whether it’s the bumpy rural roads of Malaysia or the muddy tracks in palm oil plantations, its diesel engine delivers plenty of torque. Just engage the 4WD and it can handle anything, never failing once. On highways, it’s not sluggish during overtakes either. Even fully loaded with cargo and cruising at 120km/h on the North-South Expressway, it remains stable. Safety deserves even more praise—the 5 points are well earned! Last year, I encountered slippery roads during rain in Johor, and a car rear-ended me. My car’s rear bumper reinforcement held up, and the truck bed wasn’t deformed. Another time, while taking my family to Cameron Highlands, the brakes were responsive enough to avoid a motorbike that suddenly darted out. Though an older vehicle may not have as many safety features as a new one, the solid build really proves crucial when it matters. All in all, this Navara is perfectly tailored for life in Malaysia—durable and reliable!

4 Excellent

AudiZ

Owner of 2005 Nissan Navara public

As the owner of a 2005 Nissan Navara public, having driven it in Malaysia for nearly three years, the overall experience has been pretty good! Appearance gets 4 points—although it's an old car, the classic pickup design is particularly practical locally, suitable for both carrying cargo and passengers. The car paint is a bit aged and needs occasional touch-ups, but it doesn’t affect daily use. I give the interior 5 points, it really surpasses my expectations! The seats are made of durable fabric, and despite Malaysia’s hot weather, they don’t feel stuffy even during long rides. The center console design is very simple, with large and clear buttons, which is great for someone like me who often drives in rural areas—even with gloves on, the controls are easy to operate. Storage space is adequate, making it convenient to hold water bottles, tools, etc. In terms of performance, 4 points. The 2.5L diesel engine is perfect for local road conditions. Driving smoothly in Kuala Lumpur traffic, overtaking on the North-South Highway is powerful, and climbing Genting Highlands fully loaded is effortless. Fuel consumption is about 10 liters, which is considered fuel-efficient for a pickup truck. All in all, this car is really practical in Malaysia and offers great value for money!

5 Excellent

DMAX_4x4

Owner of 2005 Nissan Navara public

As the owner of a 2005 Nissan Navara public, driving it in Malaysia for almost two years, the aspects I most want to talk about are its exterior design and safety performance. First, let’s praise the exterior — I’d give it a full 5 stars with no complaints! Although it’s an old car, the rugged pickup design of the Navara is very popular locally: the square-shaped front with a large chrome grille always catches people’s attention whether it's parked under the apartment block or beside a small-town coffee shop. Especially with the deep blue paint I chose, it looks particularly textured under the tropical sun. My friends even say that "it looks better than some of the newer Japanese pickups," and whether I’m driving it to haul goods or heading to the East Coast beaches for a weekend, it definitely turns heads a lot. For safety, I’d give it 4 stars, mainly because the features of an old car can’t compare to those of modern vehicles, but it’s stable enough for daily use. Malaysia’s rural roads are often bumpy, and once, while driving on a small road through a palm plantation in Johor, a monkey suddenly dashed out. When I braked sharply, the ABS activated just in time, preventing any skidding. The car itself is heavy enough, so it doesn’t feel swayed even when facing crosswinds on the highway. However, as it is a 2005 model, it lacks active safety features (like automatic emergency braking). If your family includes kids, you might need to install additional child seat interfaces. But as a combination of a utility truck and a family car, I am already quite satisfied with its safety performance.

5 Excellent

86Club

Owner of 2005 Nissan Navara public

As the owner of a 2005 Nissan Navara public and having driven it in Malaysia for almost a year, I truly feel that this car is perfect for the local road conditions! I give full marks for the exterior design. Even though it's an older model, its rugged lines and large wheels make it stand out on the road. Every time I park in Klang Valley parking lots, it always turns heads. I must also give 5 points for the interior. The seats are made of genuine leather, which are very comfortable to sit on. The layout of the center console is very reasonable, and the air conditioning knobs and audio buttons are large enough for blind operation while driving. Moreover, it's spacious enough. Even with three friends in the back seat going to Genting Highlands, it doesn't feel cramped. For safety, I would rate it 4 points. Although it has ABS and dual airbags, being an older vehicle, it lacks modern active safety features. However, driving it on Malaysia's highways, the car feels very stable, and there's no sway when taking corners. Last time I encountered heavy rain on the North-South Expressway, the brakes didn’t skid, which made me feel very assured. All in all, this car's practicality and durability in Malaysia are commendable, just that if the safety features can be upgraded, it would be perfect.