Nissan Navara Trek-1° review: top-spec pick up tested

Excellent, a pick-up truck. I like pick-up trucks. What’s this one?

A limited-edition black-on-black-on-black pick-up truck from Nissan complete with fancy roll-over hoop and retina-searing LED light bar. It’s called the Navara Trek-1°, which we have no idea how to say (Trek minus one degree?). If you don’t like Batman-spec hue, panic not. You can also get it in white…on-black-on-black.

Essentially, this Navara is the toppiest of top spec Navaras, and another option to rival the likes of the VW Amarok and upcoming Mercedes X-Class. Which is quite ironic really, as the X-Class is basically a re-badged and lightly-fettled Navara. Not that Mercedes will ever tell you that. 

What’s it based on?

A top-spec double-cab Navara Tekna. Under the bonnet is the same 2.3-litre turbocharged diesel engine with 188bhp and 331lb ft, attached to a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic gearbox. Power can be fed to all four-wheels via the twist of a knob, and it’ll hit 62mph in 10.8 seconds.

Visually, the Trek-1° comes with black side steps, new black 18in six-spoke alloy wheels, the rollover hoop with LED lights and a new body-coloured plastic load bed cover that’s hinged on gas struts and lockable to keep whatever the hell you keep back there safe.

Does it drive any differently to a normal Navara? 

Given the changes are all aesthetic, what do you think? To be fair, the Navara hasn’t been crying out for any upgrades as it’s one of the best handling pick-ups you can buy. It’s largely due to the fact it’s got proper multi-link rear suspension bolted onto the chassis. Which at least leaves your back in one piece while driving over a speedhump, as opposed to many. Alongside this, it’ll also carry large quantities of overweight livestock/vegetation/last year’s wardrobe.

As trucks go – when empty – it’s incredibly well-mannered. Yes, the diesel engine is slightly lethargic, the gearbox agricultural and steering lazy in its actions, but it’s no worse than a low-spec crossover. And it can handle corners at speed without depositing you into the scenery. In the great car/pick-up truck Venn diagram, it’s the closest any pick-up has got to the car yet. And that’s crucial, as that’s the market Nissan (and more so, Mercedes) is trying to capture with these pseudo luxurious pick-ups.

What’s the cabin like? 

Smart, but not exactly luxurious. If you’re familiar with the X-Trail, the cabin with its chrome-garnished switchgear, silvery plastic-metal trim and many screens and readouts will look familiar.

Should I buy one?

Only 1,500 Trek-1° editions will be made worldwide, with 400 destined for sale in the UK. Costing an additional £3,435 on top of a Tekna spec, at £37,285 it’s quite expensive. If you’re really looking into a posh pick-up, we’d recommend waiting until the new X-Class arrives in early 2018 before making your mind up. Especially if you’re a badge snob.