Nissan Navara Stealth Review – (Spoiler: It’s Not Very Stealthy)

Stealth; a noun meaning “cautious and surreptitious action or movement.” Example, the silence and stealth of a hungry cat. Similar to: furtiveness, secretiveness, sneakiness and covertness.

But wait, here’s another slew of words that this particular special edition Navara has no business channelling. “designed in accordance with technology which makes detection by radar or sonar difficult.”

Whoops - the initial impression is not stealthy at all then. In fact, judging by the reactions of everybody else on the road between Pretoria to Simons Town, most notably those who find it in their rear-view mirror – it’s downright boisterous!

Clearly our test model is black, so Nissan have at least got that part right. Also black are those ebony alloys in each arch, then there’s the grille, the mirror caps and those port bars perched upfront of the tonneau cover. In effect Stealth then merely refers to a cosmetic pack, including liberal applications of orange decals such as those aforementioned side mirrors, under its chin and along its also black running boards.

The colour orange even features in its 4x4 stickers, and more importantly, it’s the letter E in the Stealth name itself. And if this wasn’t enough, this orange is the new black treatment extends right into the otherwise dark cabin, with the seat and handbrake stitching.

Stealthy? No. Luxurious (for a bakkie)? Yes.

The not-so-stealthy Navara garners quite a lot of attention. Yet, this is still the tried and tested 2.3l turbo diesel under the bonnet – good for 140kW and 450Nm and paired to a seven-speed automatic transmission. It also comes with the same comfy five link rear suspension at the back. And you can have a Stealth of your own for as cheaply as R582,000.

For our test however, nothing less than the 4x4 in automatic would do, yours for R660,000 which is still good value for a special edition such as those made by rivals Ford and Toyota – I obviously refer to the Raptor and GR Sport respectively – but in truth this is more akin to the Dakar treatment.

Did someone say special edition? Indeed, one clearly coinciding with Nissan’s half decade in South Africa, and what vehicle deserves it more than the Navara – an icon? Furthermore, it isn’t a bespoke unit you need to special order – instead, for a small R12,000 premium you can turn any Navara LE, that’s Luxury Edition, into a Stealth. Available in any colour, as long as it’s black, white or gunmetal. Top tip, don’t get the white. The black and gunmetal are far stealthier and dare I say sexier?

The new Navara has been with us for just over two years now, and while it hasn’t made a big dent in the sales charts, it is clearly respected by all, and loved by many. Indeed, after extended time behind the wheel, it’s hard to see why more haven’t welcomed it into their homes.

Maybe with its fresh Stealth suit, the Navara will sneak its way higher up the sales charts. It certainly deserves a spot at the top with its great driving experience, generous furnishings and then there’s that mighty double-cab persona that makes it so formidable on both asphalt and gravel.

Pricing:

Nissan Navara 2.3d Stealth 4x4 Auto Double Cab Specs: