Nissan Navara 2023 review: SL Warrior - GVM test

The SL Warrior, like its sibling, is available only as a 4x4 dual cab ute. It comes standard with the Navara’s familiar 2.3-litre twin-turbo four-cylinder diesel and a choice of six-speed manual gearbox ($58,000) or seven-speed torque converter automatic, like our example, for a list price of $60,500, plus on-road costs. 

That’s $11,400 more than a standard SL Navara and for that extra spend you get a bespoke package of off-road equipment, starting with unique body decals and 17-inch alloys wearing Cooper Discoverer AT3 all-terrain tyres plus a full-size alloy spare.

The SL Warrior wears 17-inch alloy wheels. (image credit: Mark Oastler)

There's also a winch-compatible hooped bull-bar with integrated LED light-bar, black Navara-branded underbody bash-plate, wheel-arch flares, load tub-liner, 3500kg tow-bar and rubber floor mats. 

Big changes underneath include a 40mm increase in ride height to 260mm. This substantial gain in ground clearance (25mm from tyres, 15mm from springs) results in the approach angle improving from 32 to 36 degrees and virtually no change in departure angle with a tow-bar fitted. 

The suspension has been retuned with new springs, shock absorbers and jounce rubbers. The new front spring rate provides more front-end support and less body roll while the revised shocks produce improved compliance, noise isolation and reduced ‘float’ when towing and/or carrying loads. These changes also bring a useful 100kg increase in its GVM rating.

Rear seating is comfortable, but a bit tight. (image credit: Mark Oastler)

In addition to Premcar’s hardware, the SL’s standard equipment list includes automatic headlights with halogen DRLs, tailgate assist, a rear bumper step, a reversing camera and rear diff lock. 

Inside, there’s a six-speaker multimedia system with 8.0-inch touchscreen and multiple connectivity including Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, plus four USB ports, two 12-volt accessory outlets, 7.0-inch instrument cluster display with digital speedo, and more. 

So, although based on the entry-level model, it does offer numerous useful features. The optional 'Pearl White' metallic paint on our test vehicle adds $650.

With its 2033kg kerb weight, the SL Warrior’s useful 100kg GVM upgrade to 3250kg means it has an enviable 1217kg payload rating. 

It’s also rated to tow up to the category's benchmark 3500kg of braked trailer but to do that would require a huge and impractical 840kg reduction in payload to avoid exceeding its 5910kg GCM (or how much it can legally carry and tow at the same time). 

That would leave only 377kg of payload capacity, which could easily be used up by a crew of four large adults without luggage.

As a result, we reckon braked towing limits should always be based on a vehicle’s GVM. In this case, that would lower the tow rating from 3500kg (few if any owners would need that much anyway) to 2660kg, which is still a sizeable trailer and would allow you to keep the full 1217kg payload rating. That would not only be more practical, but also safer for towing.

The tub measures in at 1509mm long and 1560mm wide. (image credit: Mark Oastler)

The floor of the almost-square load tub is 1509mm long and 1560mm wide. However, with 1134mm between the rear wheel housings, it won’t fit a standard 1165mm-square Aussie pallet but it will take a Euro pallet. The four load anchorage points are located low where you need them.

Cabin storage includes a large bottle holder and bin in each front door, plus an overhead glasses holder and single glove box. 

The centre console offers a small open cubby at the front, two small bottle/cupholders in the centre and a lidded box at the back.

Each door features a large bottle holder. (image credit: Mark Oastler)

Rear seat passengers also get a large bottle holder and storage bin in each door plus a fold-down centre armrest with two small bottle/cupholders. 

The rear seat’s base cushion can also swing upwards and be stored vertically if more internal cargo space is required. 

Nissan’s Euro 5-compliant 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel features two-stage inline turbochargers that provide excellent lag-free response and ample output. 

It produces 140kW at 3750rpm and 450Nm of torque served at full strength between 1500-2500rpm.

The 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel produces 140kW/450Nm. (image credit: Mark Oastler)

It’s well matched with the snappy but smooth shifts of a seven-speed torque converter automatic, with overdrive on its top two ratios minimising engine rpm and maximising economy on highway hauls. It also offers manual sequential-shifting which can be handy when carrying and/or towing loads in hilly terrain.

The 4x4 transmission is dual-range part-time with shift-on-the fly electronic 4x4 engagement up to 100km/h, plus there’s an electronic rear diff lock.

Nissan claims average combined consumption of 7.3L/100km but after our 300km test, of which about one third was lugging a heavy payload, our figure calculated from fuel bowser and trip meter readings came in at 10.3L/100km. 

So, based on our figures, you could expect a ‘real world’ driving range of around 770km.

The Navara has a maximum five-star ANCAP rating, albeit awarded in 2015. 

There are seven airbags plus active features that include AEB, forward collision warning, trailer-sway control, hill-start assist, hill descent control, reversing camera, and more. 

However, no blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert or rear parking sensors, plus non-adaptive cruise control are indicative of its base model origins. 

The rear seat has three top-tether and two ISOFIX child seat anchorage points.