TD Navara vs TD Hilux

Technically speaking the Navara can tow a greater legal weight however the Hilux is the better drive, don't let anyone else tell you different. The manuals of both of these models could suffer clutch failure, not sure if it is abuse or incorrect driving techniques whereas the Auto is very strong. The Hilux is the bigger rig with more space inside and have a sneaking feeling the Toyota is the more reliable and better built rig, thats why it costs a little more.

Other than that both are good buys..

Try and get yourself a copy of the 4WD Monthy Ute of the Year award story, or even better the DVD. Although neither the Hilux or Navara were UOTY they give plenty of info on both.

The Navara is older technology, direct injection not common rail and the power and torque are less which is important for towing. I'd go for the Hilux.

wizard1,
Actually the TD Navara is common rail with variable nozzle turbo charger and puts out significantly MORE torque then the Hilux (403Nm at 2000rpm compared to the Hilux's 343Nm). Both have the same Kw rating at 126Kw.
This is why i have been looking at the Navara over the Hilux. have traditionally been a Toyota person but you can go past the power of the Navara. Also seem to be roomier inside.

Ok here are the states off the Nissan website and the Redbook.

2.5L Common rail TD: 126Kw @4000rpm and 403Nm @ 2000rpm

4.0L Petrol: 198Kw @ 5600rpm and 385Nm @ 4000rpm

Hilux no where near that....

I dare say you are looking at stats for older D22 Navara. Not the D40 Navara.

Yeah sorry should have said it was the 2007 D40 Navara.

Navara is 3000kg tow capacity in both auto and manual.

Also does anyobe have any feedback between auto vs manula in these vehicles???

Im partial to manual but have been told auto is better for towing??? especially pulling boats up ramps? i have never had a problem pulling boats up ramps before in manual? maybe some people just cant drive... low range, 1st gear. off she goes.

Hi colze
You seem to get answers from people who dont own or have driven either vehicle.
I have owned the D40 for just over 12 months now and have found it a great vehicle, it is normally used as a daily drive and to tow our offroad camper which it does with ease and after just completing a 2week outback trip with both ute and camper fully loaded (way to much gear but was mainly done as a test) proved it. I have the 6speed manual and have found that trying to start off on something like a steep boat ramp or reversing up a steep drive can be a bit hard on the clutch so i normally just switch into 4L untill the top then go back to 2H.
I found that it rode better than the Hilux and they do have more room, although i am told by my sons mate that their Hilux's back seat is more comfortable. I have now fitted TJM suspension as i found the rear a bit soft for any load and i also wanted the extra clearance.
Hope this helps
Chris

colze, you will find most small turbo diesels will have trouble starting off on steep ramps without slipping the clutch alot, so I prefer to just put in L4. I have never had trouble with the clutch slipping though once engaged and we tow the camper along the beach alot in soft sand. I normally tow in 6th gear as it will do it easy but of cause useing a bit of common sense and not lug it too much and just drop back to 5th on hills if needed. I was also undecided between manual and auto, but both the wife and i prefered the manual.
Chris

Do a search on Member - extfilm (NSW) and read his views on the Navara.

Kev

did search on extfilm. came up with 313 threads.... anything more specific???

Just had a new Navara auto twin cab on trial at work & found the auto wasn't particually well matched to the turbo. At certain speeds (particually around 60) the gearbox would kick down, the engine would rev out bringing the turbo boost online then change up. The turbo would then loose boost & change down again. Certainly has no shortage of power though.
The cabin was well set out with plenty of standard features & lots of room for the driver. Under the bonnat there didn't appear to be any room for a 2nd battery.
Ironically the best tow vehicle in this class would be the Triton but it seems you've discarded it for other reasons. On a trip over the Snowy Mountains to the coast the new Triton left the current Hilux kilometers behind while towing almost identical boats. Have heard from other owners similar reports saying the manual gearbox is well matched to the engine for towing or carrying heavy loads. Also has the greatest leg room in the rear & an electric manual locking limited slip diff.
I find our work Hilux just average & place it a close 3rd in comparison to the other two. Poor approach angle lets it down offroad. For our work we are leaning towards the Triton but all the utes are getting closer in features, strength & ability.
Cheers Craig............
HZJ105

We have a new Hilux TD manual that has been chipped, we tow a Trak Shak trailer around and we get about 13.5 lts per 100k sitting on a 110Kph.

The Hilux weighs in at 2490kg loaded and the trailer 1270kg loaded.

If with now trailer we get about 10 Lts per 100K in the country and around town.

The Navara is very good aswell but I do think the build quality is alittle down on the Hilux......but it is also $4000 dearer to.

The Navara out excellerates the Hilux in both petrol and diesel but with a trailer on the Hilux diesel will out excellerate the Navara Diesel, I would expect the Navara petrol will do the same to the Hilux petrol...It's only because the Hilux is a bit bigger motor and the torque comes in lower.

Much a much both good bad and ugly and to dear.

Regards Richard

we have the current model hilux 3.0 tds at work with xl bodies on them,carrying a good half tonne of gear in and on them,towing generators,compressors etc behind them with no issues at 80000kms with clutches or any thing,go well,ride well and flogged sensless by many drivers and still survive.cheers Paul

i have owned a d40 for a year now,no problems .i have given it heaps of abuse off road and cant do the damage that a magazine did to one,(they also said its the best thing since sliced bread last year)
and kev, that tread link is to a whining d22 owner not a d40.

I went the Hilux and a mate of mine went for the Nav. Both are good utes and there is little in it.
A few points I have noticed,
1. Nav has slightly more room in the front seat and less in the back.
2.Power is much of a muchness but hilux has a better power spread being a bigger motor. While the Nav doesn`t seem as rattly while driving which is probably due to the hole in the bonnet for the intercooler on the Hilux.
3.The Nav gives a better ride on smooth roads but that turns around on rougher stuff.
4. Hilux has better ground clearance and is better protected underneath.
5. Hilux uses less fuel than the Navara
6. The Navara feels more car-like and flimsy, while the Lux is a bit more truck like and more solid(these are only the feel of the utes)
7. We both tow heavy loads from time to time and there is no differance in them apart from the 2.5 needing to work a little harder.

I went the Hilux cause I didn`t like the idea of a 2.5td nissan motor,better resale and wanted something reliable for work and play.

Thanks for all the feedback guys.
It has been great to get the thoughts of people who actually own the vehicles and use them every day.
It looks like i will be getting a TD Navara. For the type of use indented it seems to be the perfect match. Its not going to be used for offroad (maybe a little bit here and there but nothing serious) and to tow a boat on the weekends (most times 15min down the rd) and longer trips every now and then.
Like i said ive always been a Toyota person but the Nav looks great, goes great, drives great around town, has 3000kg tow capacity and i can get one (the new series 3) in 4 weeks compared to 3+ months for Hilux. ANF with ABN discount its cheap as chips!!!
A 3.0L engine would have been nice though. But like everyone has said doesnt seem to been any issues yet.
Ground clearance is not an isse for me as its not really going offroad and suspension mods are cheap. personally id prefer that it feels more like a car to drive.
Anyway guys thanks for all your help and im off to the dealer on Monday to buy after test driving all weekend.