Words and photos: René Vermeer
When we recently reviewed the Nissan Navara ST-X, we came away impressed.
Sure, it's built on the same platform as the latest Mitsubishi Triton. Sure, many of the hard points are shared. But Nissan has done enough to give the Navara its own identity, particularly on New Zealand roads where ride comfort, refinement, and day-to-day usability matter just as much as outright off-road capability.
The question naturally becomes: if the ST-X is already such a well-rounded package, what does the flagship PRO-4X bring to the table?
At first glance, quite a bit.
The PRO-4X certainly looks the part. Chunkier all-terrain tyres wrapped around 17-inch alloys replace the ST-X's road-focused setup, while black exterior trim, unique badging, tow bar, and orange accents give it a more purposeful stance. It's less polished urban ute and more ready-for-the-weekend tourer.
Underneath, however, things remain reassuringly familiar.
The 2.4-litre bi-turbo diesel continues to produce 150kW and 470Nm, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Like the ST-X, the PRO-4X benefits from Nissan's Super 4WD system, allowing drivers to run full-time four-wheel drive on sealed roads while retaining low range and a locking rear differential when the terrain gets rough.
That's a feature we continue to rate highly for New Zealand conditions.
Whether you're heading over the Desert Road in winter, towing through a South Island rainstorm, or travelling long distances on gravel roads, being able to leave the vehicle in four-wheel drive without worrying about driveline wind-up is a genuine advantage.
And while many buyers will focus on power figures, that's never really been the Navara's strongest card.
Instead, it continues to lean on refinement.
The drivetrain is smooth and predictable, with torque arriving low in the rev range. Combined with Nissan's suspension tuning, the result is a ute that feels comfortable and composed in situations where many ladder-frame vehicles can become unsettled.
For four-wheel drivers, the PRO-4X's biggest appeal may actually be how little needs changing.
The all-terrain tyres, rear differential lock, full-time four-wheel drive system, tow bar, and off-road-focused wheel package mean many owners could comfortably head away on a touring trip without immediately reaching for the accessories catalogue.
That's becoming increasingly rare in a segment where many vehicles leave the dealership only to immediately receive new tyres, suspension, protection equipment, and towing hardware.
The PRO-4X won't be the most powerful ute in the segment. It won't be the cheapest either.
But Nissan has built something that feels honest.
A capable touring platform. A comfortable daily driver. And perhaps most importantly, a ute that doesn't require a shopping list of modifications before it's ready for adventure.
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