WORKHORSE WARRIOR

A BASE-MODEL 4WD LOADED WITH OFF-ROAD GOODIES FROM THE FACTORY - COULD THE SL WARRIOR BE THE PERFECT DUAL-CAB UTE FOR SERIOUS FOUR-WHEELERS?

PREMCAR, the team behind building the off-road-focused, top-of-the-line Navara PRO-X4 Warrior for Nissan, has been tasked with creating a lower-spec, more affordable Warrior based on the Nissan Navara SL. While many manufacturers are offering high-spec models with off-road-ready accessories, Nissan has done a smart thing by also providing a lower-spec four-wheel drive with upgraded components ready to hit the dirt from the factory.

I love ‘pov pack’ 4WDs, because they are designed for work first and foremost – simple interiors, vinyl flooring and less gadgets and gizmos to distract you or potentially go wrong down the line. This is what makes the SL Warrior such a great thing, in theory, for Australian four-wheel drivers who are going to use their vehicles for work and play.

From day dot, the SL Warrior comes with a 40mm suspension lift tuned for Australian conditions; a modern-looking, winch-compatible bullbar with recessed LED light bar; a small steel bash plate protecting the radiator and front-mounted intercooler; and it rides on larger Cooper AT3 all-terrain tyres. It’s an impressive-looking vehicle too, with a wider wheel track covered by bulging fender flares and a longer wheelbase compared to the stock SL Navara.

The interior is quite basic and loaded with hard plastic surfaces, which might not sound appealing but in the real world this means a hardwearing and easy to clean space, again perfect for work or play. But is it too basic? Would it make more sense to spend more on the higher-spec Warrior? That’s what we’re here to find out.

POWERTRAIN & PERFORMANCE