THE Navara 4x4 ST-R comes with a choice of 3.0-litre V6 petrol or 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engines.

Unlike its direct competitor, the Holden Rodeo LT Sport, Navara offers no visible external difference between the two models such as the Holden diesel's bonnet mounted intercooler air-flow intake.

Nissan takes the base model DX Navara and dresses it up to ST-R level by adding a colour-coded grille, two-tone paint, colour-coded front bumper, flared wheel arches, wide-wheel pack with four-spoke alloy rims, alloy sports bar in the tray at the rear of the cabin and a host of interior features such as air-conditioning, power windows, central locking and a CD stereo.

For those that remember the Navara of years past, little has changed. Nissan has stuck close to certain Navara styling cues such as roof line and window and door shapes.

The real styling changes on this model come from the headlights, grille and front bumper. The bonnet line and plastic front grille has been moving closer to Patrol as Nissan leverages its heritage.

Under the skin there is no difference between the DX and the ST-R dual-cab as they share the same engines, transmission, suspension, brakes and safety features. The only real difference is weight, with the ST-R picking up 45kg worth of features to weigh in at 1895kg.