Recently, Mr. Do Nam Nghia (Hanoi) embarked on a trip from Hanoi to Tuyen Quang and Cao Bang in a Nissan Navara PRO-4X, accompanied by his travel companions who share the same passion for exploration. This 5-day adventure not only allowed Mr. Nghia and his friends to discover and experience new landscapes, immersing themselves in the breathtaking natural scenery of the northern mountainous region, but also provided an opportunity to thoroughly evaluate the performance of the Nissan Navara PRO-4X and determine if it truly lives up to its impressive reputation.
Mr. Do Nam Nghia and his travel companion, the Nissan Navara PRO-4X, during their journey spanning over 1,000km.
We had the chance to interview Mr. Nghia after he completed the exhilarating expedition, covering a total distance of over 1,000 km and returned to Hanoi. This journey brought forth numerous fascinating experiences, and Mr. Nghia continues to exude excitement when speaking about his reliable travel companion, the Navara PRO-4X, which accompanied him through highways and mountain passes.
Hello, Mr. Nghia. Thank you for accepting this interview. Prior to owning the Nissan Navara PRO-4X, what other car models did you possess?
The Nissan Navara PRO-4X is not my first car. Prior to that, I owned a Mitsubishi Pajero 2003 and a Nissan Navara NP300 2015 VL version. Among these, I particularly favored the Nissan pickup truck due to its versatility, power, durability, and fuel efficiency.
What was the reason behind choosing the Navara instead of other pickup truck models, such as the best-selling one in its segment?
Truth be told, before transitioning to the new Nissan Navara PRO-4X, I explored several other models. However, in the end, I opted to stick with a pickup truck, mainly because of its adaptability and flexibility.
“The muscular and rugged design of the Navara PRO-4X captivated me, making it an ideal choice for young individuals aiming to showcase their personal style.”
Some of my friends recommended considering other popular pickup truck models among Vietnamese users. Nevertheless, after careful consideration, I decided to remain “loyal” to Nissan. This decision resulted from my firsthand experience with the durability exhibited by the Navara, which I had encountered with the Navara 2015. Additionally, after seeking opinions from other Navara owners on forums and groups, I discovered that a significant portion of them regarded the Navara as a reliable vehicle, influencing their choice to opt for the new Navara iteration rather than switching to alternative pickup truck models.
Furthermore, I was genuinely captivated by the muscular and rugged design of the Navara PRO-4X, making it an ideal choice for young individuals aiming to showcase their personal style. Additionally, the vehicle is equipped with a multi-link rear suspension system, advanced lighting system, quieter engine, numerous intelligent technologies, and relatively low operating costs compared to other models in its class.
As an avid traveler frequently embarking on exciting exploration trips, how was your most recent journey?
Recently, together with 2 friends, I embarked on a journey spanning over 1,000 km, traversing provinces from Hanoi to Tuyen Quang and Cao Bang. The primary objective of this adventure was to admire the landscape and savor the local delicacies of the mountainous regions in the North, while inhaling the fresh air as a means to unwind after demanding workdays. Each year, my friends and I select mountainous routes to fulfill our passion for travel and exploration.
The Hanoi – Tuyen Quang – Cao Bang route involves rough, bumpy roads with continuous tight bends. What were your experiences with the Nissan Navara PRO-4X on this trip?
This trip marked my initial experience with the Navara PRO-4X on a long mountainous route. Previously, my exploration journeys had primarily involved the previous generation Navara NP300.
With the new Navara PRO-4X, I noticed a significant difference in the driving experience, attributable to the multi-link coil rear suspension system. The vehicle exhibited reduced oscillation when traversing well-maintained mountainous roads, resulting in smoother and more stable cornering, alongside decreased vibrations compared to models employing leaf spring suspensions.
As the driver throughout the entire expedition, I genuinely felt that the Navara PRO-4X delivered a firm and confident driving sensation, while the new 2.3L turbocharged engine seamlessly navigated rough roads and sharp mountainous bends.
Extended journeys lay bare both the strengths and weaknesses of a vehicle. How do you evaluate this vehicle in the aftermath of the trip?
Throughout the diverse 1,000 km journey encompassing an array of road conditions, from highways to mountain passes, I held the new 2.3L turbocharged engine in high regard within the Navara PRO-4X. The vehicle effortlessly accelerated when overtaking and deftly ascended steep slopes boasting sharp bends. Particularly noteworthy was the engine’s enhanced power and discreet operation, with significantly reduced engine noise permeating into the cabin. This improvement partially arises from the installation of double-layered soundproof glass in this generation of the vehicle.
Moreover, the lighting system of the new Navara garners substantial acclaim. Personally, I consider the Navara PRO-4X’s LED lighting system among the finest within its price range, ensuring ample brightness on highways and mountainous roads, instilling commendable visibility when negotiating corners. However, based on my experiences garnered from multiple mountain pass trips, in instances of limited visibility caused by rainfall or fog, I resorted to activating the fog lights for optimal safety.
Fuel consumption details of the Nissan Navara PRO-4X.
Turning to fuel efficiency, the average consumption when driving on highways hovers around 5.8 liters/100 km. For a pickup truck of this size featuring a 2.3L engine, this figure stands as an impressive accomplishment. On demanding mountainous roads, fuel consumption ranges between 9 and 10 liters per 100 km. Given the trip’s primary focus on exploration rather than fuel economy, my driving velocity varied, encountering numerous stops to admire the scenic surroundings. Considering these factors, the fuel efficiency statistics strike me as commendable.
Regarding durability, I previously witnessed it firsthand with my previous generation Navara NP300. It indeed proved remarkably robust and dependable. Moreover, the Nissan Navara stands as the sole pickup truck model to implement a 5-year official warranty policy, considerably amplifying consumer peace of mind when selecting this vehicle.
Although the Navara’s equipment and convenience fail to stand out excessively in comparison to other models within the same segment, I deem it satisfactory. Noteworthy safety features include the 360° around-view camera integrated with collision warning system (MOD), hill start assist system, hill descent control system, 6 airbags, and electronic stability control system, among others…
Beyond your most recent trip, what additional purposes do you employ the Navara PRO-4X for? How would you assess the versatility of this pickup truck?
Aside from employing the vehicle for travel-related purposes, I routinely embark on extensive journeys, visiting provinces within the North for work and returning to my hometown. Primarily traversing flat highways, the vehicle exhibits substantial versatility and fuel efficiency for long-distance routes. It consistently affords a firm and comfortable driving experience on highways while accommodating my family’s needs (4 individuals).
When the necessity to transport goods arises, I can promptly rely on the Navara. The capacious truck bed facilitates comfortable transportation of cumbersome baggage and items. Particularly when returning to my hometown, the Navara emerges as a highly practical option, capable of accommodating a substantial quantity of local delicacies and gifts from rural settings to transport back to Hanoi.
No vehicle can cater to the entirety of an individual’s needs. What would you propose for improvement in the Navara?
From my standpoint, the Navara PRO-4X caters admirably to approximately 95% of my requirements. An inconsequential aspect I would like the brand to address in subsequent upgrade iterations consists of factory-fitted fog lights, thus bolstering convenience during adverse weather conditions (this proposal stems from personal experiences). Additionally, the Japanese automaker could consider redesigning the vehicle’s storage compartment to facilitate storage of smaller items.
Have you encountered any maintenance-related issues with your vehicle? How do the costs compare to those of other brands?
Given that the car has only clocked over 3,000 km, no repairs have been necessitated as of yet. I recently underwent an oil change in preparation for the Hanoi – Tuyen Quang – Cao Bang trip. However, prior to this, I owned a Navara NP300 model, and I identified the maintenance costs of the Navara as suitably reasonable in light of the value offered, without exhibiting significant differences compared to other models within the same segment.
Furthermore, I hold Nissan’s after-sales service in high regard. The service center routinely extends enticing maintenance and repair programs, coupled with an adept and dedicated team of technicians, thus affording maximum trust and peace of mind to users.
All in all, the Nissan Navara PRO-4X has surpassed expectations across various facets encompassing entertainment, travel, and work. This is undoubtedly a pickup truck that asserts its worth.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude for these intriguing insights!
Anh Quan (forum.autodaily.vn)