Nissan Navara SL Warrior Review Is It Worth the Money?

We recently featured the 2022 Nissan Navara Pro 4X Warrior by Premcar in a video review here. Nissan has since introduced the SL Warrior, and announced the Patrol Warrior.

Why an SL Warrior?

Like most car makers who create these pick-up-style trucks, Nissan knows that a bloke who buys this big butch ute takes it straight to an after-market accessories joint for the laying-on of hands. They can spend 10’s of thousands on jauntily-fitted add-ons.

None of the Navara SL Warrior changes add to the engine performance, instead concentrating on the carrying, toting, off-roading characteristics, even if the driver does none of those things. Why? Because it looks good.

Most of the utes are automatic, using Nissan’s 7-speed unit. Nissan wanted a “base model” for those wanting fewer fripperies while still getting a good all-rounder. Those who feel the need to brag at dinner parties will buy the Pro 4X Warrior over the Navara SL Warrior. Frankly I can’t think what kind of person brags about a ute, but there you go.

Video Review: 2022 Nissan Navara Pro 4X Warrior by Premcar – full review

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The Pros:

  • The engine is a decent performer and continues to do what it says on the box. The grunt is low down, with many of the enhancements aimed at people who insist on cluttering the highways with something tethered to a tow ball.
  • Suspension and tyres increase the ground clearance by 40mm, 15mm from springs and 25mm from tyres. Dampers have been altered for better handling, and the payload has a 100kg upgrade.
  • There is less body roll, increased ride height, and a slightly meaner look, with mudguard flares and bugger tyres.

The Cons:

  • $60,500 is a fair whack for a base model ute.
  • The average driver will notice little difference in the drive.
  • Like most of these utes, rear space is cosy.
  • Lack of steering reach adjustment may not suit everyone

On the Road:

Many ask why Australia doesn’t get the US-specification Navara, known there as the Frontera, and the answer is simple: Frontera is the same basic car, but is altered slightly to be sold only in the North American market. It isn’t made in right-hand drive, so Australia does not get the V6 and 9-speed automatic.

Navara SL Warrior ride feels much the same as any other Navara, and is similar to most other pick-ups. It is firm with little road feel. Punters have to allow a bunch of extra space when turning, and parking would be near impossible without the benefit of a reversing camera.

Navara is already a tall vehicle, so the Navara SL Warrior’s 40mm increase makes little difference. The only time it is going to really count is off-road.

The engine has that slightly commercial feel and sound, but buyers know this before they walk into a showroom so it is a bit late to bitch about it afterwards.

As for the 4X4 performance, it has the usual Navara attributes, but we are not the boys who test stuff off-road and that’s all there is to it.

Will Gay Campers Buy it?

Ah, the gays, the gays, the gays. We do like a bit of bling, and while I could think of nothing worse than sand and dirt up the clacker, some of you love getting away from it all. Have at it.

You must keep in mind that Hilux and Ranger are the top sellers in Australia. Utes rule. That means utes are more popular than any single passenger car. Sedans, coupés and hatches are dying a slow and painful death.

There is a market for a big ute, even the really huge American ones like RAM and Ford’s F 150. It makes no sense to me, but it might make sense to you. If it does make sense to you, then it is definitely worth it.

Nissan Navara SL Warrior by Premcar enhancements

  • New winch-compatible hooped bullbar with integrated LED lightbar
  • New “Navara” branded under-body black bash plate
  • 275 / 70 / R17 Cooper Discoverer All Terrain AT3 tyres with increased tread depth, and an off-road focused tread pattern
  • Suspension lift (+40mm) increasing ground clearance from 220m to 260mm
  • Towbar
  • A 100kg GVM upgrade with 3500kg braked towing capacity
  • Comprehensive suspension tuning with new springs, dampers and jounce bumpers
  • New spring rate for more front-end support and less body roll
  • Revised front and rear damping for better compliance, sound isolation and reduced float when towing or carrying a load
  • Improved approach angle, from 32 degrees to 36 degrees, and near-identical departure angle, from 19.8 degrees to 19 degrees with tow bar fitted
  • Fender flares and tubliner for better body protection
  • Ready for adventure with easy-clean all-weather floor mats

All of which joins the Navara SL’s impressive standard equipment list, which includes:

  • Proven 2.3-litre twin-turbo-diesel engine
  • 140kW @ 3750rpm and 450Nm @ 1500-2500 rpm
  • Choice of six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic transmission
  • 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • 7.0-inch Advanced Drive-Assist Cluster Display
  • Six-speaker stereo with USB A and USB C connections
  • Seven airbags (Front, Side Seat, Curtain, Driver Knee)
  • Reverse Parking Camera
  • Intelligent Forward Collision Warning (IFCW)
  • Intelligent Emergency Braking (IEB)
  • Intelligent Driver Alert (IDA)

 

Nissan Navara SL Warrior

  • Price: $58,000 (manual) or MSRP $60,500 (auto)
  • Engine: 4 cyl twin turbo diesel
  • Power: 140kw/450Nm
  • Econ: 8.1L/100k
  • Trans: 7-sp auto

Tags: gay nissan, gay pickup utes, 2022 Nissan Navara SL Warrior review, Premcar, favourite off road ute, camping, farming utes

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#gaynissan, #gaypickuputes, #202NissanNavarSLWarriorreview, #Premcar, #favouriteoffroadute, #camping, #farmingutes

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Written by Alan Zurvas

Alan Zurvas is the founder and editor of Gay Car Boys, Australia's leading LGBTQI+ automotive publication. Before launching GCB in 2008, Alan's automotive writing was published in SameSame.com.au and the Star Observer. With over 16 years of hands-on car reviewing experience, Alan brings an honest, irreverent voice to every review — championing value and innovation over brand loyalty.

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2 responses to “Nissan Navara SL Warrior Review Is It Worth the Money?”

  1. Ralph Avatar
    Ralph

    Not sure if I completely agree with your review, but this vehicle is probably not your demographic. But ironically, as non-hardcore offroaders, you guys are one of the few to point out that the ’40mm lift’ is a combination tyres (25mm) and suspension (15mm). Most commentators simply refer to it as a 40mm lift, impying a 40mm suspension lift, which it aint. So well done on providing some long needed accuracy!

    Reply
    1. gaycarboys Avatar
      gaycarboys

      the question really is, is it worth it over the base model. probably not. Re demographic: you may be right. But, for 2 LCVs to be the top selling vehicles for much of the last 5 years, it isn’t just hard core off-roaders, or tradies, or miners, who are buying them. like most off-road vehicles, these will almost never go off-road.

      Reply

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