Nissan adds smartphone mirroring to Navara

WHILE the second-generation Leaf full-electric vehicle was expected to be the first model in Nissan Australia’s line-up to offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support when it went on sale next month, the Navara ute has beaten it to the punch by a matter of weeks.

As part of its Series 4 update that is now in showrooms, Navara has gained the smartphone-mirroring technology for no extra cost, but buyers in the market for the fleet-friendly DX and RX grades will miss out on it for now.

As such, the eagerly anticipated feature – which is offered via USB cable and not wirelessly – will be the domain of the higher-specification SL, ST and ST-X grades.

To support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an 8.0-inch touchscreen running the Japanese brand’s new Alliance In-Vehicle Infotainment (AIVI) system has been fitted. This is the same set-up that the Leaf small hatch will use.

The SL grade previously made do with a 5.0-inch display, while the ST and ST-X grades had a 7.0-inch unit. As a result of the upgrade, the former now has satellite navigation via smartphone mirroring, while the latter two also feature a new TomTom system.

Bluetooth, USB, auxiliary and AM/FM radio connectivity carry over, but in a sign of the times, Navara’s CD player has been deleted.

Meanwhile, the Series 4 update also ushers two minor cosmetic changes, with the headlight bezels of all three grades all changing from silver to black, while the ST grade’s side steps are now black instead of silver.

As reported, the SL, ST and ST-X grades are all exclusively available in pick-up guise, with the former only offered in dual-cab form, while the latter two can be had in king- and dual-cab configurations.

In order to gain access to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, Navara buyers will need to fork out $40,800 plus on-road costs for a manual 4x2 ST dual-cab pick-up, while its automatic 4x4 ST-X counterpart continues to top the range at $55,250.

The SL, ST and ST-X grades are motivated by a 2.3-litre twin-turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine that produces 140kW of power at 3750rpm and 450Nm of torque from 1500-2500rpm.

It is mated to either a six-speed manual or seven-speed torque-converter automatic transmission.

“Nissan is pleased to introduce Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to Nissan Navara,” said Nissan Australia managing director Stephen Lester.

“We took the opportunity to introduce this technology with our updated infotainment system – one that not only looks great but is modern, simple and intuitive to connect to and use.”

Sales of Navara have taken a significant hit this year, with 7051 examples sold to the end of June – a 16.3 per cent decline over the 8422 sold during the same period in 2018.

As a result, Navara is the sixth best-selling model in the combined ute segment, trailing the Toyota HiLux (26,132 units), Ford Ranger (21,496), Mitsubishi Triton (12,757), Holden Colorado (9696) and Isuzu D-Max (8500).

2019 Nissan Navara pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs