4wd comparison

[jx2mad]

A mate of mine is tossing up whether to get a Hilux or Navara. He doesn't want a landrover so which one of these would be the better buy He is looking at the diesel manual range and a couple of years old. 4 door utes. Jim

[RR P38]

Mmm its a tough one.
I dont think I would bother with a roll-lux, especially if you are going to jack it up.
I think the diesels in the Navarra are good....from what I hear of them.

[V8Mitch]

Having driven both, the 6 speed Navara is hard to beat. Power wise there is a bee's dick between them. The Navara feels so much bigger than a 'Lux, itsa much of a muchness really both great trucks, and both really reliable. Just my 2 cents I'd have a Navara.

[jx2mad]

I read a report that the Navara motor under load uses much more fuel than the Hilux. Is this true? Jim

[superquag]

The current Navarra diesel is indecently quick, even with nearly 3 tonnes behind it. Drives nicely, and when the boss is in a hurry.... have to work the Classic a bit to keep up !
Despite towing 90% of the time, it's proven to be very reliable.

I'd be happy with one.

[33chinacars]

Navara will have a bigger towing limit that the Hilux.
Have heard of a few problems with the gearboxes in the Navara. There being replaced at about 80,000 km's. Wife's mechanic has done a few.
But of the 2 would still go the the Nissan . Toyota overrated

[DoctorJ]

I would take a miss on both of them, Hilux has a history of injector issues in this model and if not caught early enough results in an engine rebuild and the Navaras have issues with the timing chain wearing too much resulting in them being checked every 40,000kms (not cheap) I personally would be looking at a BT50 or Amarok

[Vern]

I'm with the doc, of the five people I know with navara's, they have all had trouble, and all under 100,000k. Injectors failing ($4000+), head gaskets, clutches. Much comfier than a hilux though, but I'd go the amarok, bt50, or ranger.

[kreecha]

I had a Pathfinder which is the same as the Navara from the B-pillar forward.

I learnt;
Nissan have poor internal-cabin surface coating longevity,
The previously mentioned timing chain issue,
Never used oil,
Only once did I want more power (greedy me, in a hurry, flat out up the Stuart Highway),
The front suspension sags due to the astronomically high spring rate and springs being mounted halfway along the lower control arm,
Limited front wheel alignment capability after a 2" lift resulting in 3 sets of tyres, with every 10,000km wheel alignments and every 10,000km wheel rotation in 145,000km,
Oh that great engine (yd25) always used ALOT of fuel,
The whole car creaked,
Poor approach angle due to the radiator/intercooler/auto cooler design,
Would I buy another one.....

Yes. They are actually a great car for traveling dirt roads and towing if setup well ($$$$$$). But I wouldn't do the cape trip I did in my S1 disco 300tdi in it.
Cheers ,Adam

[eamonn]

I have driven both in turbo diesel and regularly drive the Hilux's.

The Navara seems to have a more refined engine, is a little smoother and less noisy.

The Hilux, in my opinion, has a better gearbox and is more natural to drive and I think sounds better.

As I work at a Toyota stealership I do often see Hilux's having clutches replaced and it is not rare for a gearbox to be replaced. Most of these have seen some hard work, but it isn't rare.

Drive both, look what you need it for and have a look at the aftermarket range for each vehicle if going down the modifying path.

They're both very good, but I'd have a Hilux:p

[jx2mad]

So how does the 3l non turbo Hilux go?

[eamonn]

The 3l non turbo diesel has plenty of torque but is quite slow in comparison to newer turbo diesel motors. I think Safari have a bolt on turbo kit for the 3 litre as well as the 2.8 which I have heard does make quite a difference in power

[rangie ute on 38'']

My dad's happy with his d40 king cab but make sure it's got good service history, his has 70k on the clock and in the last year both front wheel bearings / hubs have collapsed, fuel pressure pump has had a leak / rotors and pads worn out, drive shaft yoke and seal replaced at transfer case. it's comfortable to drive and would prefer that over a luxy. Hope these common faults gI've you something to look out for

[PhilipA]

I think "3L" is an engine designation for a 2.8 litre NA diesel.
Regards Philip A

[101RRS]

My brother had a 07 3.2l Triton and traded it in on a new 11MY Hilux DiD and when he got it home and took the wife and kids for a drive they asked him to take it back and bring the Triton back. Basically too truck like and and uncomfortable in ride and seating.

Three years later they have gotten used to it but still not happy with comfort.

Mechanically it is not the most powerful vehicle (my brother says my RRS 2.7TDV6 is noticeably more powerful and faster) but has been quite reliable.

I guess it is like many Toyotas, functional, uninspiring and boring.

Garry