Grunt machine enhanced

The Nissan Navara has plenty of torque. Photo / Herald on Sunday

Nissan Navara ute sits second behind the all-conquering Hilux, with perhaps the broadest range of variants available - and the most grunt of any pick-up on the market, at least in top-spec 4wd diesel format.

No wonder the brand's trumpeting its facelift, and the Pathfinder SUV.

What's new
Navara has a new nose. Changes to the grille, bumper and bonnet add 80mm to length and help reduce the drag co-efficient. Nissan says that's brought lower thirst, and cuts cabin noise.

Interior revisions include passenger car-like fabric and new instruments; manual mode for all autos; Bluetooth hands-free; side and curtain airbags and dual zone climate air.

The 2wd diesel boasts a power and torque boost to 120kW and 403Nm, along with better fuel economy and lower emissions.

But the headliner is the torque increase for the range-topping ST-X 4wd, its 2.5-litre common rail diesel engine now supplying 140kW of power and 450Nm of torque - with better fuel economy and lower emissions.

Pathfinder? That also has a more rounded face and the range-topping 450Nm diesel engine, matched to a five-speed auto. Specs include Xenon lights, iPod port and Bluetooth.

The company line
Navara's designed for "those people who attack the weekend as hard as the weekday", says Nissan New Zealand marketing manager Peter Merrie. As for Pathfinder, it gets just one spec based on the outgoing Ti, with this 450Nm diesel motor and seven seats.

What about the 3.2-litre V6 diesel fitted to Navara and Pathfinder in Europe? Nissan NZ hopes to get it here next year - price depending.

What we say
A few years ago stuff like six airbags, three child-seat anchorages and dual-zone air con would have been decent spec for an up-market car. Today, this is fitted to Navara's ST-X 4wd diesel.

That and the rather pleasant fabrics and changes to instruments and trim give this a very car-like feel. We like the ability to tip the rear-seat squabs up.

Pathfinder? It's a seven-seat tour-de-force that feels pleasant enough on road while well capable off it.

On the road
You really notice the extra urge from the range-topping diesel powering both Navara and Pathfinder. It's especially effective in the lighter Navara.

Pathfinder's family focus meant it handled the lumps and bumps better, while the Navara feels like the work truck it remains under the frills.

Neither Navara nor Pathfinder returned their claimed 8.5l/100km to 9.0 l/100km thirst, but nor did they guzzle like their predecessors.

Perhaps we should have used 2wd more often - the in-cabin dial means it's easy to select, though you have to stop to find four-low.

Why you'll buy one
You'll get Navara ST-X over cheaper variants because it really will cover family and work-truck duties; and you'll buy the $59,950 4wd diesel over its same-priced petrol V6 sibling for all that low-down grunt. As for Pathfinder, the engine will appeal, as will the cabin.

Why you won't
Your work truck doesn't need Navara's frills. Your SUV doesn't need seven seats or a $76,800 price tag.