2025 Nissan Navara Black Edition review

If you’re in the market for a back-to-basics worksite workhorse, the Nissan Navara is probably on your shopping list.

Despite first launching more than a decade ago, the third-generation Navara remains a viable option in the Australian ute landscape, with 1524 sold over the first two months of this year.

However, rivals are pulling ahead in the sales race. Ford sold 4040 examples of the Ranger in the month of February alone, while the Toyota HiLux, BYD Shark 6, Isuzu D-Max, Mitsubishi Triton, and Mazda BT-50 all sell in far greater volumes than the Navara.

Something needs to change for Nissan to climb back up Australia’s ute pecking order.

With a next-generation model still some way off, the under siege brand has been forced to think laterally, and this is the result – the Navara Black Edition.

Based on the ST Dual Cab 4×4 automatic, the Black Edition brings blacked-out exterior trim elements and alloy wheels, Yokohama Geolander all-terrain tyres, and exclusive options including an electric rolling tonneau cover and designed by Victorian aftermarket brand HSP.

Just 400 examples will be built for Australia, so does the Black Edition breathe new life into the Navara nameplate, or is it just a dull addition to the ageing lineup?

How much does the Nissan Navara Black Edition cost?

All up, a fully-optioned Black Edition with HSP accessories offers $9700 worth of extra goodies for a $5500 premium over the Navara ST. It’s priced in line with four-wheel drive versions of the HiLux SR5, D-Max LS-U, and Ranger XLT.

Single Cab

King cab

Dual cab

To see how the Nissan Navara lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What is the Nissan Navara Black Edition like on the inside?

It feels like 2015 in here, and that’s no coincidence.

The third-generation Navara has been on the market for 10 years now, and although a comprehensive facelift arrived in 2021, it still feels old-hat.

Just take the interior technology suite, headlined by a 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen. Not only is the display down on size compared to rivals, but it’s woefully slow, from delayed input responses to snail-like processing speeds.

The graphics are dull and dated too, reminding occupants of the Navara’s roots.

Physical shortcut buttons are located either side of the screen and they’re worth using considering the imprecise nature of the touchscreen.

Features are lacking, leaving smartphone mirroring as the obvious default. However, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto require a wired connection, so keep a cable handy.

There are plenty of connection points, with USB-A and USB-C outlets conveniently located under the centre stack and in the centre console. 12V and auxiliary connections are also available.

Moving across, the Navara Black Edition features a 7.0-inch digital driver’s display flanked by analogue gauges. It’s all quite plain and limited in functionality – the digital instrument cluster in the benchmark Ford Ranger is leagues ahead in this regard.

The Black Edition is more competitive from a materials standpoint, however. Overall, the cabin has the same workmanlike feel of other $60k dual-cabs, with plenty of hard plastic trim and a dearth of design flair.

Exceptions have been made for common traffic areas such as the steering wheel and armrests, which are trimmed in leather and padded cloth, respectively.

The mass of black is broken up by silver accents dotted around the cabin, none of which really elevate the space. Neither do the ancient air conditioning controls.

That gripe pales in comparison to my criticism of the seats in this Black Edition. I found the cloth chairs to be uncomfortable at time, with little cushioning in the base and back sections.

The ergonomics are far from spot on, and the manual adjustment levers are fiddly to operate.

Cabin storage options include roomy door bins, a small centre console, and an equally shallow glovebox.

Tradie-style dash cupholders are a notable omission, as is a secondary dash cubby. Instead, there’s a small storage slot on either side of the centre tunnel.

It’s certainly not the most practical cabin, and there’s no real excuse for this.

And it’s not like there’s abundant space in the second row, either. I stand at 185cm tall, and my knees firmly press against the seat back in my natural driving position.

The aforementioned seat backs are soft which limits the discomfort, but there still isn’t much room to spread out. Headroom is likewise an issue for individuals topping six-two.

It’s far from claustrophobic though, as the Navara features a light-coloured headliner and large windows. Second row amenities include a USB-A outlet, cupholders, and dual air vents.

However, storage is limited to a pair of spacious door bins, as map pockets are absent.

That’s a surprise given the street directory was probably still a popular resource when the current Navara first came onto the scene.

The Navara may be ageing, but that’s not a factor when assessing the tub.

Not only was our tester equipped with a single tube black sports bar, tub liner, and black decals – all optional upgrades for the Black Edition – but it also gets exclusive accessories courtesy of HSP 4×4.

Using the standard Black Edition as a base, HSP upgrades the tonneau cover to an electric rolling item, which which can be controlled by the interior switch, the key fob, or a control panel on the tub’s front-left corner. It’s a handy inclusion from a security perspective, preventing unwanted break-ins.

The tub is spacious compared to rival offerings, and the Black Edition boasts a higher payload (1088kg) than the Ford Ranger XLT, Toyota HiLux SR5, and Isuzu D-Max LS-U dual-cabs.

To see how the Nissan Navara stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool.

What’s under the bonnet?

The Navara range is powered by a pair of 2.3-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engines mated to either manual or automatic transmissions. Our tester was fitted with the twin-turbo option, mated to a seven-speed automatic.

Four-wheel drive variants have a part-time four-wheel drive system with low-range and an electronically locking rear differential.

To see how the Nissan Navara stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool.

How does the Nissan Navara Black Edition drive?

Don’t expect many modern conveniences in the Navara, as it’s an old-school ute that requires some patience and manhandling in urban environments.

Upon clambering up into the high-riding cab, you’re greeted by a traditional tall shifter and physical handbrake, both of which prepare you for an entirely analogue driving experience.

Pulling out of a carpark or driveway reveals the first defining characteristic of the Navara – heavy steering.

All variants feature a hydraulic power steering rack, technology that has been replaced by fully electric systems in most modern applications. The hydraulic rack in the Navara is direct and accurate, but it requires the driver to exert far more physical effort to pull off low-speed manoeuvres and tight turns.

Reverse and surround-view cameras help the cause, although picture quality is poor. And we’d hardly call the Navara agile – its turning circle is considerably larger than rivals including the Toyota HiLux and BYD Shark 6.

There’s no mistaking the clatter of the old-fashioned turbo-diesel engine, either. It chugs to life without much subtlety, and pales in comparison to something like a Ford Ranger from a refinement perspective.

The 2.3-litre powerplant delivers 140kW of power and 450Nm of torque, figures that are slightly down on the segment average.

For example, the equivalent Ranger boasts 154kW and 500Nm, while the HiLux is around the same mark. Then there’s the Shark 6, which shades all comers.

While numbers don’t always tell the full story, they do in the case of the Navara. It’s noticeably more sluggish than rivals, and the Black Edition feels even more so due to the addition of all-terrain tyres.

Other utes feel both quicker and smoother off the line, but the Nissan still has enough go to get the job done around town.

Once rolling, the Navara plays its biggest trump card – ride quality. The Black Edition is floaty and comfortable in the suburbs, ironing out road imperfections and speed bumps with nonchalance.’

Nissan hasn’t touched the suspension for this special edition, but if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. And I didn’t even experience the best of this ute – some gear in the tray would balance out the load on the front and rear suspension, undoubtedly improving ride comfort further.

Even at higher speeds, the Navara remains plush, negotiating potholes without transmitting vibrations or clunks into the cabin. Indeed, Nissan remains a class leader in this area.

A well-sorted suspension setup makes for a positive experience on the highway, and that’s what this Black Edition delivers. Well, kind of.

It takes some convincing to accelerate up to 100km/h, as the turbo-diesel motor runs out of puff approaching triple figures. However, once at cruising speeds, everything settles down nicely.

Despite the fitment of all-terrain rubber, the Black Edition fares well across all of noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH). I’m sure the choice to stick with smaller 17-inch alloy wheels plays a part in that.

There’s a distinct lack of overbearing safety nannies, too. That’s a big deal, as early examples of the new Mitsubishi Triton featured an infuriating driver monitoring system (DMS) that completely soured the driving experience.

You do get DMS in this Navara, alongside blind-sport monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and lane departure warning.

But, and it’s a big but, there’s no adaptive cruise control. All the big name competitors offer this convenient feature, and its omission in the Navara could be a dealbreaker for buyers with a long daily commute.

Weekend adventurers are unlikely to be as sorely disappointed. The Black Edition comes with selectable four-wheel drive, including low range. Hill descent control and a rear differential lock bolster the off-road package, as do the all-terrain tyres that are equally at home on the pavement and dirt trails.

Fuel economy across our test averaged out at 8.9L/100km, a number that’s acceptable, if not exceptional.

To see how the Nissan Navara stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool.

What do you get?

2025 Nissan Navara SL equipment highlights:

• 17-inch steel wheels
• Full-size spare steel wheel
• Automatic halogen headlights
• Power-adjustable side mirrors
• Tailgate assist (pickup only)
• 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Bluetooth
• 7.0-inch digital trip computer with digital speedometer
• Vinyl floors (single cab and dual cab only)
• Carpet floors (king cab only)
• Cloth upholstery
• Outboard rear seat ISOFIX points (dual cab only)
• Trailer sway control
• Hill descent control (4×4 only)
• Hill start assist

The SL Warrior adds the following:

• Winch-compatible hooped bullbar
• Integrated LED lightbar
• Branded underbody black bash plate
• 275/70 R17 Cooper Discoverer All Terrain AT3 tyres
• 40mm suspension lift
• Tow bar
• 100kg GVM upgrade (3250kg)
• New springs, dampers and jounce bumpers
• Fender flares and tub liner
• All-weather floor mats

The ST adds the following on top of the base SL:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• LED headlights
• LED fog lights
• LED tail lights
• Automatic high-beam
• Privacy glass
• Power sliding rear window
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Heated side mirrors
• Single tube sports bar in polished stainless steel
• Drive mode selector (4×4 AT only)
• Off-road monitor (4×4 only)
• Satellite navigation
• DAB+ digital radio
• Leather-accented steering wheel
• Leather-accented shifter
• Carpet floors
• Anti-dazzle rear-view mirror

The Black Edition adds:

• 17-inch black alloy wheels
• Yokohama Geolander A/T tyres
• Black door handles
• Black mirror caps
• Matte black front grille surrounds

Nissan Genuine Accessories available for the Black Edition include:

• Single tube black sports bar
• Tub liner
• Black Edition door/tub decals
• Soft tonneau cover

Optional HSP accessories include:

• HSP electric rolling cover
• HSP rear tailgate central locking

The ST-X adds the following on top of theST:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Full-size alloy spare wheel
• Double tube sportsbar in polished stainless steel
• Sliding in-tray tie-down hooks
• Towbar
• Tub liner
• Proximity entry with push-button start
• Dual-zone climate control
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• Carpet floor mats

The PRO-4X adds:

• 17-inch black alloy wheels
• All-terrain tyres
• Full-size steel spare wheel
• Black fender flares
• Black roof rails
• Black-painted side mirrors, side steps, grille and door handles
• Black stainless steel double tube sports bar with sail panel
• Leather-accented upholstery
• Embroidered front seats with PRO-4X logos and red-accent stitching
• Heated front seats
• Power-adjustable front seats with lumbar support

The flagship PRO-4X Warrior adds:

• Winch-compatible Nissan Genuine buillbar
• Front light bar
• Red bash plate and 3mm under-body plating
• 275/70 R17 Cooper Discoverer AT3 tyres
• Full-size alloy spare wheel and tyre
• 100kg GVM upgrade (3250kg)
• 40mm suspension lift
• New springs, dampers and jounce bumpers
• Warrior-specific fender flares
• Warrior decal pack
• Warrior headrest embroidery

To see how the Nissan Navara stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool.

Is the Nissan Navara safe?

The Navara had a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on tests conducted in 2015, though this has now expired.

All 2025 Nissan Navara models come standard with the following safety equipment:

• Seven airbags
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Forward collision warning
• Driver attention monitoring
• Reversing camera (pickup only)

ST models and up add:

• Blind-spot monitoring and assist
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Lane-keep assist
• Lane departure warning
• Surround-view camera
• Rear parking sensors

To see how the Nissan Navara stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool.

How much does the Nissan Navara cost to run?

The Navara now falls under Nissan’s new ownership program, coined ‘Nissan More’. As such, it’s covered by a 10-year, 300,000km vehicle warranty. That’s the longest of any carmaker in the country, if you service with a Nissan dealer.

To see how the Nissan Navara stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool.

CarExpert’s Take on the Nissan Navara Black Edition

No matter how you spin it, the Nissan Navara has fallen behind the current crop of dual-cab utes.

This Black Edition does a decent job of papering over some cracks by increasing the versatility and visual appeal of the Navara, but it also commands a higher price tag that pits it against some some compelling alternatives.

The BYD Shark 6 offers a modern platform, premium interior and plug-in hybrid powertrain for thousands less, which gives it the advantage as a lifestyle ute.

Meanwhile, mid-spec versions of the Isuzu D-Max and Toyota HiLux can’t be ignored, and the Ford Ranger remains the segment benchmark.

A Ranger XLT runs rings around the Black Edition when it comes to interior technology and on-road refinement, leaving a long warranty as the Navara’s main selling point.

That alone isn’t enough to justify purchasing this limited-run model, even if it does promise better value than other variants in the range.

Regardless of options and accessories, the Navara still feels long in the tooth and only the debut of an all-new replacement will solve that.

Interested in buying a Nissan Navara? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

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MORE: Everything Nissan Navara