Nissan Navara 2.5DDTi Stealth 4x4 (2025) Review

The current D23-generation Nissan Navara has been around since 2017 and, over the years, has seen derivatives come and go. The Stealth nameplate was one such derivative. Now, after a 6-year hiatus, the Stealth is back, and we grabbed the keys to find out what it offers.

Fast Facts

Feature	Detail
Engine:	2.5-litre, Turbocharged, Diesel (4-cylinder)
Power:	140 kW
Torque:	450 Nm
Transmission:	7-speed automatic
Fuel Economy:	Claimed: 8.1 L/100km
Warranty:	6-year/150,000 km
Service Plan:	6-year/90,000 km
Price:	R779 200

Pros:

• The Stealth looks sportier

• The interior is well-crafted with no squeaks or rattles

• The 4x4 and diff-lock systems feature as standard at this price point

Cons:

• Interior styling looks dated

• Similarly priced Chinese rivals offer more tech and safety features
  

Styling

One of the areas in which the Nissan Navara in Stealth guise truly stands out is styling. Upfront, the bakkie gets a new bumper finished in black to contrast the one of three colours the derivative is available in: Techno Grey, Infinite Black, and White. But black is a theme that is continued all over the vehicle.

Down the sides, there are 17-inch gloss black wheels, gloss black mirror caps, door handles, and roof rails, and then there are Stealth stickers behind the front wheels and just above the black side steps. Move to the rear, and you get a black sports bar with the Stealth name embossed, and the Navara moniker and Stealth sticker on the tailgate are finished in black to contrast against the paint. 

Overall we enjoyed the changes as they do stand out but isn't over the top, they are still tasteful. And we are also of the opinion that, especially from the exterior, the Nissan Navara is still a rather attractive bakkie.

Interior 

Step inside the Navara Stealth and you will be greeted by leather seats, centre console and door cards with contrast stitching. This sets it above the LE derivatives, which offer cloth material. Look in front of you to the dashboard, where we feel the Navara is starting to show its age. 

Nestled in the centre of the front facia is an 8.0-inch configurable infotainment screen that offers wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. New USB-C ports complement the vehicle's USB-A option. In front of the driver, a combination of analogue dials and a colour screen provides valuable vehicle information. 

But what is most important in a bakkie interior is durability and quality. After a week behind the wheel, there wasn't a rattle or squeak to report on. The noise, vibration and harshness levels in the Nissan Navara Stealth is excellent, even compared to some more modern and more premium bakkie options in the market today.

Drivetrain 

Under the bonnet is a 2.5-litre, turbocharged, 4-cylinder diesel motor sending the 140kW and 450Nm of torque it produces to either two or all four wheels via a 7-speed automatic transmission. Yes the Nissan Navara Stealth offers 4x4 with high- and low-range as well as diff-lock. Not only that but the combination is rather frugal too.

Driving impression

The Nissan Navara certainly left a smile on this reviewer's face with the good noise, vibration and harshness levels experienced while driving. While that multi-link suspension delivers a compliant drive and no "bakkie-bounce", the high-quality assembly of the interior and materials used meant that even on rough routes, there were no rattles or squeaks. 

The engine and transmission also work well together. However, climbing out of a bi-turbo bakkie and into the Stealth meant that the delay between throttle application and the engine delivering its power and torque is rather noticeable. Also perceptible and appreciated by the reviewer is the heavier steering compared to more modern bakkie options.

Safety 

As for safety, the Navara Stealth, for the most part, is right on par with even some more modern vehicles. ABS brakes, traction and stability control and hill-start assist feature as standard. The Stealth offers six airbags and ISOFix anchors on the outer rear seats. While you do get cruise control, there isn't any adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, departure warning or blindspot warning. 

At the rear, you do get park distance warning sensors and a reverse camera with guide lines; however, forward-facing cameras or park distance warning sensors are omitted.

Fuel consumption

Rivals

	Nissan Navara 2.5DDTi Stealth 4x4	Ford Ranger 2.0 SiT XLT 4x4	Mitsubishi Triton 2.4DI-D Xtreme	Isuzu D-Max 1.9TD LS X-Rider Black 4x4
Price (incl. VAT)	R 779 200	R766 000	R769 990	R770 400
Engine	2.5L Turbo Diesel	2.0L Turbo Diesel	2.4L Turbo Diesel	1.9L Turbo Diesel
Max Power	140 kW	125 kW	135 kW	110 kW
Max Torque	450 Nm	405 Nm	430 Nm	350 Nm
Transmission	7-speed Auto	6-speed Auto	6-speed Auto	6-speed Auto
Claimed Fuel Cons.	8.1 L/100km	7.7 L/100km	8.3 L/100km	7.6 L/100km
0-100 km/h	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Driven Wheels	All	All	Rear	All
Total Payload	1003 kg	930 kg	N/A	1105 kg
Warranty (Vehicle)	6-year/150 000 km	4-year/120 000 km	5-year/unlimited-km	5-year/120 000 km
Service Plan	6-year/90 000 km	6-year/90 000 km (Optional without)	5-year/90 000 km	5-year/90 000 km

*All figures provided in the tables above, were correct at the time of writing this article, however, can change at any moment and without notice. 

Verdict

When you delve into the numbers, the Nissan Navara still competes thoroughly with even the toughest competition in the bakkie segment. And after spending a week behind the wheel, it has proven its capabilities and build quality over and over again. This reviewer is of the opinion that the dashboard is dated and similarly the infotainment technology. 

But if those things doesn't concern a buyer too much, this writer wholeheartedly recommends the Nissan Navara, even just for the compliance while driving or the build quality.