UTES carry plenty of compromise.
A single cab gives you a longer load bed, but you can’t ferry workers, or pick up the kids from school when your wife gets stuck in traffic after going shopping at Myer with the family’s Kevin Rudd stimulus bonus.
A dual cab means you can accommodate passengers, but not as much equipment or supplies as you would like. Arrrgh, you can’t win!
Just when tradesmen were about to go completely mad along comes a solution from Nissan.
It’s the Navara D40 King Cab, a variant that sits somewhere between a single and dual cab offering.
You can fit four people and still make use of a large 1855mm load area _ compared with a 1511mm tray in the Dual Cab.
Admittedly the two passengers in the Primary School-sized back seats would be cramped over long distances, but hey you’re in the front so who’s complaining.
The best part is you don’t have to crowbar the kids, or apprentices, in via the front doors after folding seats and sliding them forward. There are two clever, half doors at the rear accessed at the flick of a lever once the main doors are open.
When not in use, the rear seats can be easily folded away to make room for more tools or luggage. It’s brilliant!
The King Cabs come in three configurations _ base-model RX cab chassis, ST-X cab chassis and sportier ST-X pickup that comes with its own tub and integrated tub liner, sports bar, rear chrome step bumper and remote fuel release.
They are priced between $38,160 and $42,660.
The ST-X test vehicle came equipped with ABS with Brake Assist, dual airbags, air conditioning, power accessory socket, side steps, cruise control, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors and a 6-stacker CD with MP3 facility.
The trio of King Cab models are powered by a willing 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine that delivers 126kW power and a meaty 403Nm torque in 4x4 models.
The massive torque figure gives the Nissan a 3000kg towing capacity _ equal best in its class.
Two transmissions are on offer, the standard six-speed manual and an optional 5-speed automatic (which costs an extra $2250 on each model). The six-speed manual has a “long’’’ overdrive top gear for better fuel efficiency and quieter running.
Economy is a big plus with Navara King Cab manuals consuming an average 9.8-litres of diesel per 100km. The automatic is slightly thirstier returning figures of 10.5 litres/100km.
All King Cab models are fitted with Nissan’s proven 4WD system that can be switched on the fly between 2WD and full-time 4WD. There’s also a low range transfer case that can be activated when stationary.
With a high 205 mm ground clearance and long 3200mm wheelbase, the Navara King Cab is extremely capable on and off road.
Short front and rear overhangs mean a useful angle of approach of 32-degrees while the departure angle is 27.5-degrees (24-degrees for the King Cab ST-X Pick-Up).
For customers opting for the top-of-the-range ST-X Pick-Up, the load bed, with its integrated tub liner, provides ample storage space for work tools or recreational gear. The ST-X Pick-Up version’s load bed is 1855mm long and 1560mm wide, with 1135mm clearance between the wheel arches. The tailgate opening width is 1435mm. The RX King Cab Chassis manual can carry more than 1100kg and the auto1083kg, while the ST-X Cab Chassis carries 1091kg in manual and 1065 in automatic guise.
All King Cab models (and the Single Cab Chassis) are built in Thailand at the Nissan Bangna Trad plant near Bangkok. (Navara Dual Cab is sourced from Spain).
There are eight colours to chose from _ Platinum, Atlantic Blue, Polar White, Aztec Gold, Burgundy, Reef Blue, Cosmic Black and Slate Grey _ and, like all Nissan vehicles, Navaras are supported by a three-year/100,000km warranty and 3-year, 24-hour roadside assistance.
The D40 Navara is Nissan Australia’s biggest selling model with close to 9,000 sold in 2008.
Despite gloomy predictions for this year, this is one of vehicles likely to still attract strong sales.
Those in need of a clever work rig with style, performance and versatility _ all at the right price _ should look no further.
Navara RX King Cab Chassis features
126kW power at 4000rpm
403Nm torque at 2000rpm
Limited slip differential
3000kg braked towing capacity
300kg max towball download
Selectable on-the move part-time / full time 4WD
Low range transfer case
16-inch alloy wheels
ABS with Brake Assist
Dual airbags
Air conditioning
Power accessory socket
Cloth trim
Body coloured front bumper with chrome grille
ST-X King Cab Chassis adds:
Side steps
Cruise control
Remote central locking, power windows and mirrors
6-stacker CD with MP3 facility
ST-X King Cab Pick-Up adds:
Rear tub with integrated tub liner
Sports bar
Rear chrome step bumper
Remote fuel release
Nissan Navara King Cab Range RRP
RX King Cab Chassis $38,160
ST-X King Cab Chassis $41,160
ST-X King Cab Ute $42,660
Add $2250 for five-speed automatic