2008 Nissan Navara King-Cab First Steer
July 30, 2008 by David Twomey
Nissan is now in a position to take the sales game to its major competitors in the strong selling light truck market, having added a single cab-chassis and a versatile King-Cab version of its strong selling Navara range.
-David Twomey
Since its launch back in 2005 the Spanish-built Navara Dual Cab has been the only weapon in Nissan’s armoury in the strong light truck, or utility, market.
Now its been joined by the Single Cab-chassis and King-Cab variants, both made a lot closer to home in Thailand, and both benefiting, price-wise, from Australia’s Free Trade Agreement with our Asian neighbour.
The utility market in Australia has been one of the sales strengths of our burgeoning vehicle market, with strong demand from tradesmen, industry and the mining sectors.
Despite essentially have only one model, it is available in 4×2 and 4×4 variants, the Nissan Navara Dual Cab has sold nearly 9000 units already this year and the 4×4 model is the second strongest selling utility in the market.
A trio of King Cab models is now available powered by a muscular 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine delivering 126kW power and a superior 403Nm torque in 4×4 models.
Two transmissions are on offer, the standard six-speed manual and an optional 5-speed automatic. The six-speed manual has a ‘long’ overdrive top gear for better economy and quieter running.
At the same time Nissan is adding a Single Cab Chassis manual transmission model to the family that features a separate two-passenger bench seat and an even longer load bed for those who want the practicality of a tough, modern workhorse with the latest features.
The Nissan Navara King Cab offers seating for four, thanks to a pair of fold-down rear seats which, when folded, allow more than enough room for luggage or tools behind the front seats.
The King Cab allows easy entry to the rear of the cab thanks to a rear-hinged door on either side that opens wide. With no B pillar to impede entry or egress, occupants will find cabin entry and egress comfortably easy. Safety is also a priority with headrests and 3-point seatbelts for all four passengers.
Thanks to the longer load bed, compared with the Navara Dual Cab, the new King Cab ST-X Pick-Up can fit 1855mm long loads into its rear tub.
Three King Cab models are available; the RX King Cab Chassis, which along with the premium specification ST-X King Cab Chassis, can be fitted with a Genuine Nissan aftermarket tray; and the sportiest ST-X King Cab Pick-Up which comes with its own tub and integrated tub liner, sports bar, rear chrome step bumper and remote fuel release.
“The new Navara King Cab is destined to play an important role in tightening Nissan’s grip on the light commercial vehicle market,” said Dan Thompson, CEO of Nissan Australia.
“We see the King Cab models entering a growing market segment, where the need to balance a large load with the ability to carry four in safety and comfort, if only occasionally, will be greatly appreciated by our customers.
“Many Navara customers have something big to tow, and with a 4×4 class-topping 403Nm torque and a 3000kg towing capacity (equalling class-best) across the range, that should be no problem.”
We gave the Navara King Cab 4×4 a reasonably brief but fairly challenging drive across some forest tracks out of Canberra and the overall impression was one of considerable competence.
The vehicle, an automatic, which has a novel but quite useful side shift function between first and second gears, was able to cope with deep ruts, steep descents and some challenging climbs over rough and broke roads.
It had more than adequate power from the very torquey diesel engine and with the added advantage of being able to carry two occasional passengers in the rear, should prove an appealing option for many tradesman who want to be able to run the kids to a sports event on the weekend, or other less work-like demands.
Equally it will appeal to businesses where the option of being able to carry more than just the two regular passengers is a worthwhile option.
Nissan Navara King Cab Range:
RX King Cab Chassis $38,160
ST-X King Cab Chassis $41,160
ST-X King Cab Ute $42,660
Five-speed automatic $2250
Nissan Navara Single Cab
RX Single Cab Chassis $33,660
Print it: 
Good to see this varient of the D40 finally on the market. The suicide doors are such a good idea on utes with this sized cab, they should be offered on all makes.
“Since its launch back in 2005 the Spanish-built Navara Dual Cab has been the only weapon in Nissan’s armoury in the strong light truck, or utility, market.”
No David, Nissan have had the old model single cab and Patrol Utes for sale all along.So the above is 100% WRONG
Cheers,
F-0
Back seat is still junk.
$15k more than my Falcon Ute.
Price will come tumbling down, as it has on most new Nissans for sale.”Price alignment” lol
Nice ute, silly money esp. since its made in Thailand and has no import-duty
PASS
Cheers
F-0
Frugal One, actually Nissan only RE-introduce the D24 ute late last year as a stop gap measure, at a much lower price point. They would be the first to admit it “hasn’t been a great success” and this D40 model will go a lot further to giving them something to fight the HiLux and Triton with. Admittedly they do have the Patrol Ute but I wouldn’t really put that in the same category as the Navara.
Actually David Frugal One is correct. The D40 was introduced in 2005 and sold alongside the D22 series until well into 2007. There was only a gap of about 6 months during which there were no D22 models available until Nissan “re-introduced” the D22 with the 2.5 Diesel. It’s relative lack of success is probably due to its age against its competitors and its relative lack of power from the low out put 2.5. It’s atleast 20Kw short of all the other turbo diesels on the market today.
I don’t think we’ll be getting rid of the hilux crew cabs for it, I would like the hiluxs to have the suicide doors though, had them on one of the F250s and they are really handy.
So, do these have the same dodgy ½ star crash rating as the ones that were tested in Europe?!?
Navara(retested) crash rating is three star EuroNCAP for adult safety, four star child and two star pedestrian, not great but amongst the best so far for utes!
Do they also come with the legendary Nissan attitude to warranty, like the Patrols?
best looking japper ute IMO
suicide doors are a great idea on the space cab utes.
the mazda has had them for 2 generations now……..and that includes its Ranger clone
Anyone criticising the price of this needs to compare it to its opposition before commenting. The equivalent Toyota, Mitsubishi, Mazda and Ford 4X4 diesel ute can not beat this for price and features. You only have to look at the equivalent Hilux 4X4 diesel which is more expensive, but is missing alloys, a/c and ABS which the Nissan has standard; it’s a similar story with the BT-50 and Triton; the equivalent Ranger is cheaper but is missing features the Nissan has like alloys and ABS. So I’d argue that this is the best value 4X$ diesel ute in its segment.
I’d also argue that it’s the best looking in its segment, not something you’d say about the mostly other ugly crap Nissan are dishing out, and according to the experts, it’s one of the better drives. And its towing capacity can’t be beat. This is one Nissan I’d actually recommend.
Agree with Ian, looks great, quite strange for Nissan at the moment considering the rest of their range (GTR excluded). Triton is the ugliest by far.
i have one of the king cabs on order, they were meant to be in showrooms at the start of last month, does anyone know the hold up on the STX king cab, the dealer isnt saying much..
Im not sure what the hold up has been. The STX KC’s have been at Nissans holding yard in WA for a close to a month now. My dealer hasn’t said a great deal either. Originaly I was told it was a hold up on the compliance plates but Ive been told nothing for about 3 weeks. Something must have been wrong with them.
funny that i got told it was the MP3 player.. i am going in to see them today askin for answers, ill let you all know
the people who do compliance plates wont let up why they arnt releasing them.. my STX KC is 3-4 away nissan said!
Does anyone *KNOW* if he ST-X trim king cab comes with height adjustable seat for the driver? (the D40 dual cab does) but no one has been able to advise if the D40 king cab does…
thanks,
Paul
would anyone be able to advise how these KC’s would handle a 5th wheeler?
Paul, The King Cab STX has no adjustable height or lumber support in the seat like the dual cab STX has. The Nissan website also now has details on the Kingcab.
have had king cab 2 weeks now top ute! Pity about lack of seat adjustment it would be nice. Having trouble finding a set of 16 x6 steel wheels for going bush as nissan have a strange stud and PCD pattern.
any idea if the king cab will take an 8 foot tray ?
I got one last month; LE/AT series; the only problem is PCD, what exactly the PCD for this muscle?