Pickup trucks are often associated with a bumpy ride, causing discomfort for passengers. However, the Nissan Navara 2021 has made significant improvements to its suspension system, providing a smoother experience. So, is a pickup truck bumpy? This article will analyze the Navara 2021’s suspension system in detail to answer this question.
Rear suspension system of the Nissan Navara 2021
The bumpy ride is a major concern for many when buying a pickup truck. The main reason is that the vehicle is designed to carry both people and cargo, leading to difficulties in balancing load capacity and ride comfort. If passenger comfort is prioritized, the suspension will be adjusted to be softer, but when carrying heavy loads, the vehicle will “sag”.
Most pickup truck manufacturers use leaf spring suspension systems, similar to trucks, to ensure load-carrying capacity. However, the disadvantage of this system is that the ride will be quite bumpy when carrying passengers, especially in the rear seats. Many people try to reduce the bumpiness by carrying extra weight in the truck bed. However, this method causes the shock absorbers to wear out quickly and wastes fuel.
Nissan Navara 2021: A Breakthrough with Multi-Link Suspension
Nissan pioneered in solving this problem in 2016 when it introduced the Navara EL with multi-link suspension. This was the pickup truck with the best starting price in its segment at the time, aimed at providing the convenience and smoothness of an SUV. However, this feature was only available on the single-wheel-drive version.
Comparison of leaf spring and multi-link suspension systems
In 2021, the Nissan Navara made a breakthrough by equipping all versions with a multi-link suspension system. Thanks to the improved dual-stage springs and stabilizer bar on the rear axle, the Navara 2021 provides a smooth experience for even the four-wheel-drive version while still ensuring optimal load-carrying capacity.
The Navara 2021’s dual-stage springs have a larger body thickness and a new two-stage design. The first stage with a thicker spring quickly absorbs shocks when the vehicle is not carrying cargo. The second stage bears the load when the vehicle has cargo, reducing the “sagging” phenomenon.
Construction of the dual-stage spring on the Nissan Navara 2021
Another major difference is that the multi-link suspension on the Navara 2021 is equipped with a stabilizer bar, which helps reduce vibrations or cabin tilting when cornering at high speeds or driving on bumpy roads.
The multi-link suspension also helps reduce vehicle weight, increase the departure angle at the rear of the vehicle to avoid collisions, and does not cause frictional noise when driving on bad roads. The Navara 2021 also has an increased rear brake system size to ensure safety when carrying heavy loads.
Nissan Navara 2021: An SUV-like Pickup Truck?
With a beautiful exterior, a comfortable interior with a 360-degree camera, an 8-inch entertainment screen, rear seat air vents… and a smooth suspension system like a 7-seater SUV, the Navara 2021 deserves to be called an SUV with the ability to carry up to 950 kg of cargo.
Exterior of the Nissan Navara 2021
The Nissan Navara 2021 has 4 versions: Navara 2WD Standard, Navara 2WD Premium, Navara 4WD Premium and the special sports version Navara Pro4X.
So, is a pickup truck bumpy? With the Nissan Navara 2021, the answer is no. The multi-link suspension has provided a smooth, comfortable driving experience, eliminating the stereotype of bumpy pickup trucks. The Navara 2021 is the perfect choice for those who need a vehicle that is both powerful, versatile, and as smooth as an SUV.
