Remember in September, we highlighted the Cars.co.za Part 1 review of the Nissan Navara vs Ford Ranger Fx4 – here’s a quick review of their findings and a little more of what was highlighted.
A QUICK ROUND-UP
| Nissan Navara 2.3 4×4 Auto | Ford Ranger 3.2 Fx4 Auto | |
| Price: | R597 900 (with leather and heated seats) | R608 900 |
| We Like: | Solid engine performance, fuel efficiency | Styling kit, Sync3 infotainment, powerful |
| We Don’t Like: | Poor infotainment system, rough engine notes at high revs | Thirsty engine, turbo lag |
RIDE QUALITY
The Ranger and Navara both have the same on-road and off-road quality, but the difference was felt when loaded, the Ranger delivered a smoother ride than the Navara. The Navara’s suspension is better in the dirt although the Ranger’s ride when loaded is far greater. Overall the rear-end stability of the Navara has improved with its rear 5-link coil suspension and it has eliminated bounciness however it is not very convincing when it comes to the better leaf spring setup. The Navara’s suspension settles faster than the Ranger’s when driven over rough surfaces, specifically on gravel roads.
Both vehicles were heavily loaded and were tested on the same route. The Navara’s suspension performed better in the dirt but felt more unsettled and not as smooth as expected, however the Ranger, when loaded, was the better ride and maintained its strength. The verdict is that if you rarely engage in off-road driving and will mainly be driving on tar both vehicles are similar, the Ranger is just a tad more comfortable.
OFF-ROAD CAPABILITY
Both the Ranger and Navara are excellent off-road performers. The Ranger does have better ground clearance at 237 mm than the Navara with 229 mm and both vehicles have a braked towing capacity of 3500 kg. The mechanical transfer of the Navara is effortlessly operated using a knob where the driver can select between 2H, 4H and 4L, depending on the terrain and it is equipped with an active brake limited slip differential system (ABLS) which manages power delivery and wheel braking between the front and rear axles that with the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system, ensures the best imaginable performance in hard-hitting terrain.
Equipped with an electronic rear differential and the ability to switch between 2H, 4H and 4L by using the knob next to the transmission lever, the Ranger Fx4 is quit a beast. The Ranger and Navara’s off-road performance is impressive but the Ranger performed just a bit better because of its powertrain making it more effective at conquering tough terrain.
PRICE & WARRANTY
The Ford Ranger 3.2 4×4 Fx4 automatic is priced at R608 900 and is sold with a 4-year/120 000km warranty and a 5-year/100 000km service plan. Service intervals are set at 20 000km.
The Nissan Navara 2.3 4×4 LE automatic is more affordably priced at R587 900 and is sold with a 6-year/150 000 km warranty and 3-year/90 000km service plan. Service intervals are set at 15 000km.
THE VERDICT
Both bakkies are evenly matched if you look at their specifications and overall capability but the Navara’s 6-year/150 000km could swing our vote. That said, if you weigh up your options then the Ford Ranger 3.2 Fx4 4×4 Automatic is the better choice compared to the Nissan Navara 2.3 4×4 Automatic.
The added exterior visual appeal and the better interior execution, including the SYNC3 infotainment system makes the Ranger Fx4’s R11k premium worth it, even though it guzzles more fuel the engine is quieter and the steering feels more on par than the Navara. The seat warmers, electric driver seat and longer warranty counts in the Navara’s favour.
It is said that the Ranger is smoother when loaded heavily. Both bakkies offer a quality ride as urban family vehicles, especially the Navara with its extra comfort for rear passengers. Despite the age of the Ranger range the Nissan can never steal the spotlight of the all-round quality of the Ford.