Who is the Duke of Dual Cabs?


Dearest Gentle Reader, and my fellow connoisseurs of the truly fabulous,

The social season in Melbourne and Sydney has been set quite firmly ablaze, and I am not speaking of the friction from a scandalous waltz at a Toorak garden party. No, the ton is whispering about a most masculine arrival that has everyone, from the most seasoned dowagers of Vaucluse to the freshest faces among the Real Housewives of Point Piper, reaching for their oversized fans and a stiff one… gin, of course. Do cast your minds from the gutter thence, darlings, though I admit the view from the silt is often more entertaining.

I, your incomparable Countess Von Clapp, have emerged from the shadows to spill the tea on a newcomer of significant breeding. It seems Nissan has seen fit to present us with the fifth-generation Navara, a creature of such robust constitution and polished breeding that it makes the common bachelors of the city seem positively pedestrian.

A Forty Year Flirtation

Forty years, darlings. That is how long the Nissan Navara name has been whispered in the corridors of power and the dusty trails of the country. Since the winter of 1986, this lineage has established itself as the premier choice for those who require a companion capable of enduring the most scandalous of conditions. Over four hundred thousand of these machines have been led to the altar of ownership, and this newest scion, the D27, arrives with a pedigree that is quite frankly beyond reproach.

One must admire the sheer audacity of it. While other marques might be content to rest upon their laurels, the Navara has undergone a most intimate refinement. This is no mere surface-level flirtation. The engineers at Premcar, local masters of their craft, have spent countless hours in a most vigorous dance with the suspension. They have poked, prodded, and tuned every damper and spring until the carriage responds to the Australian terrain with the grace of a diamond of the first water.

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A Most Cheeky Comparison

Of course, one does not simply walk into the ballroom without sizing up the competition. Every Duke has his rivals, and in this theatre of steel and grit, the battle for the crown is fierce. Behold how the Navara stacks up against the established houses and the bold new upstarts.

The Suitor

The Tribute (Price)

The Muscle (Power)

The Girth (Torque)

The Stamina (Warranty)

The Verdict

Nissan Navara PRO-4X

$68,418

150kW

470Nm

10 Years

A refined rogue with a local touch.

BYD Shark 6 Premium

$57,900

321kW

650Nm

6 Years

A shocking newcomer with electric charms.

GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV

$54,990

300kW

750Nm

7 Years

A muscular upstart from the East.

Ford Ranger Wildtrak V6

$75,090

184kW

600Nm

5 Years

Powerful, but perhaps a bit too eager to please.

Toyota HiLux Rogue

$71,990

150kW

500Nm

5 Years

A reliable choice, if a trifle predictable.

LDV eT60 Electric

$92,990

130kW

310Nm

5 Years

An expensive dandy with a limited social circle.

The Scathing Rebuke of the HiLux

Now, we must address the elephant in the ballroom: the Toyota HiLux Rogue. Oh, the HiLux. It is the dependable suitor your mother insists you marry because he has a “steady job” and “good bones.” But darlings, look closer. To pay a tribute of nearly $72,000 for a carriage that still relies on a six-speed transmission in the year of our Lord 2026 is, quite frankly, a scandal.

The HiLux is like a gentleman who refuses to update his wardrobe, appearing at every gala in the same moth-eaten dinner jacket from 2015. While its rivals have embraced the modern age with digital flourishes and sophisticated suspension, the Toyota remains stubbornly agricultural. Its ride is as busy as a debutante’s dance card, crashing through potholes with a lack of decorum that would make a Victorian governess faint. And that “stamina”? A mere five-year warranty? In a world where Nissan offers a decade of commitment, the HiLux’s promise feels as fleeting as a midnight tryst in a garden maze. To choose the Rogue is to admit that you value tradition over thrill, and quite honestly, I expected more from you.

The PRO 4X Scandal

However, let us speak of the true rake of the range. The PRO 4X is the unapologetic heartthrob that everyone warns you about, yet no one can resist. Starting at $68,418, it does not merely enter the driveway, it conquers it. With lava red orange accents that pop against a matte black wheel, it is a vehicle that has no interest in modesty. It is the sort of carriage that suggests a life lived on the edge, full of midnight rides and secret assignations.

Inside, the cabin is a sanctuary of sport aesthetic. The leather-accented seats are finished with orange stitching and suede bolsters, offering a tactile experience that is remarkably plush. It even includes a standard towbar, a standard of utility that suggests this rake is ready to haul your heavy baggage, whether it be a boat for a summer escape or the metaphorical weight of a family reputation, from the very first day.

Power and Poise

Under the bonnet lies the heart of the matter, a 2.4-litre bi-turbo diesel engine. With 150kW of power and 470Nm of torque, it possesses the grunt required for the most demanding of applications. To watch it work is to witness a performance of sheer, unadulterated strength. It can haul three and a half tonnes without so much as a tremor in its gait, yet it remains as efficient as a well-managed household, consuming a mere 7.7L/100km.

One might say it is the ultimate polymath, rugged enough for the farm, yet sophisticated enough for the city. It is a vehicle that balances its heritage with modern technology, featuring a nine-inch touchscreen and wireless connectivity that keeps you perfectly in tune with the world, even when you are miles from the nearest ballroom or basement bar.

The Verdict of the Ton

As this new generation prepares to make its debut in showrooms this March, the question is not whether it will succeed, but who will be fortunate enough to claim one. Nissan is offering a ten-year warranty, a vow of commitment that is rare in these fickle times. It is a promise of stability in an unpredictable world.

So, if you find yourself in need of a partner who can handle the rough and the smooth with equal aplomb, I suggest you cast your eyes toward the Navara. It is a match that promises adventure, reliability, and a touch of that undeniable Australian spirit.

Stay fabulous, and keep your hands on the wheel,

Countess Von Clapp

More Nissan at GayCarBoys


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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