2022 Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior

Aussies are buying more utes than ever – no great revelation there. However, while many might still think of the humble dual-cab body-on-frame ute as being little more than a sparsely equipped tradie chariot, the truth is that private ute buyers are transacting ever greater sums to get the ute they want onto their driveway.

What’s more, once said ute is in their possession, they’re spending big on accessories to make that vehicle more capable, versatile, rugged, and theirs. Outside of company fleets, utes are getting the kind of attention from their owners that would make a sportscar jealous.

And it’s these recreational ute owners that are squarely in the sights of Nissan’s Navara Pro-4X Warrior. 

Following on from the Navara N-Trek Warrior that launched in late 2019, the Pro-4X Warrior repeats a familiar template but with numerous revisions to add even more off-road capability – not to mention all of the other factory-issue upgrades that came with the Navara’s facelift at the start of 2021. 

Converted locally from standard Navara Pro-4Xs by Premcar in Melbourne, the Warrior treatment is largely focused within the wheel wells – bespoke suspension using larger-diameter Monroe shock absorbers, unique spring rates, a bit of suspension lift and a unique wheel and tyre package all contribute to giving the Warrior improved off-road credentials, while meaty bolt-on fender flares, an aggressive metal front bumper and an underbody bash guard add both protection and visual aggression, in equal measure.

Under the bonnet, there’s nothing new to report. The standard twin-turbo 2.3-litre diesel Navara engine gets no tweaks from Premcar, meaning the standard 140kW and 450Nm outputs are all you get to play with. 

However, in the world of low-range mud-pluggin’ and rock-crawlin’, does that actually matter? Also, at $67,490 as a manual or $69,990 for the auto (plus on-road costs), does it represent value relative to the standard $58,130/$60,630 Navara Pro-4X that it’s based upon?

We went off the beaten path with the new Warrior in the Coffs Harbour hinterland to find out.