Pickup comparo: Nissan Navara, Ford Ranger and Mitsubishi Strada

by Botchi Santos 04 Feb 2010

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COMMENTS

• ninoy77 says h.. Dr. Glen, for me i will choose mitsu strada 3.2L 4x4...complete pick-up......go for mitsu strada 3.2 Dr. Glen....its nice (04 February 2010)
• porsche 911 says I think the frontier is the safest and the fastest.but because ur choices were 4x4 trucks i thought u lik or need to go off the road so i think strada would be good cause its still fast and is good for off rading. (04 February 2010)
• maranello_5775 says strada will comfortably handle your family transporting needs while the ranger will make cinch of the offroading, the navara on the other hand is a good choice because of its power but hampered by the low ground clearance(for a 4x4 truck)so offroading is not a strength. The balance pickup that will cater your needs and satisfy you with its good performance would be the strada. (04 February 2010)
• Juan Miguel Reantaso Mendoza says dr. glen, go for the strada. it has a 3.2L di-d turbo engine and its high it can go to hard core off roads navara looks like a low pick up wen you look at it and the ranger looks too small. matakaw pa sa diesel.strada fits your choice. (04 February 2010)
• Yeah says Mitsubishi Strada has killer looks... It rocks =) (04 February 2010)
• carlamity says I'd still choose the Toyota Hilux, i know it's not on the list and it's OLD compared to this new ones... but performance wise? it's the best! on the I see more Hiluxes than a corolla :D Cheers! (05 February 2010)
• Monty_Python says I vote for Nissan Navara, strongest engine (both HP and Torque, even for a 2.5L). Angas front (IMHO better looking than Stada), largest cargo area, Longest overall length.. This pickup can compete with American Trucks size-wise and performance wise, while still being a diesel.. AFAIK, James Deakin of C! owns one (05 February 2010)
• monch says @ Monty_Python Blasphemy! How dare you mention "the other magazine" in this website? Just kidding. Hehe... Anyway, your vote doesn't count, as you're either an employee of Nissan or a die-hard fan of "the other magazine"? Maybe even both? (05 February 2010)
• jclogan says @botchi..nissan navara also has a 5-speed AT..been reading lots of WCRC & the readers almost always ask the same comparo.. we all know Botchi prefers Strada but uses a Hilux, doesnt like Isuzu engines, prefers Subarus, the Lancer EX in compact sedans, Jazz for subcompact & Starex for vans... (05 February 2010)
• AL says go for the ford ranger!! next is the navarra last is the strada, magandang choice thin ang hilux! (05 February 2010)
• southboy says go for the ranger! its tough! very tough! (05 February 2010)
• hmm says nissan have the titan, toyota have tundra, ford have F150...mitsubishi and isuzu???...toyota has issues with D4D... mitsubishi *gly tail end and have some issues too...isuzu and ford have poor metal quality...get nissan navarra no worries...spend your money wisely. (05 February 2010)
• yehey says @hmm yehey may nakasundo rin ako! lahat ng sinabi mo ok!! woo!GO! for the navarra!! (05 February 2010)
• Joseph says since your buying it for your family, go for the hilux. It has the most comfortable seats and has more space inside compared to the others. It's not the most powerful pickup but it isn't the weakest either. Plus, you get the bulletproof reliability of Toyota. (05 February 2010)
• dcyy77 says doc glenn,kahit ano ok wag lang toyota baka mabiktima ka sa defective fuel pump! believe me yan ang experience ko. bigla nalang mamatay engine kahit tumatakbo ka.after that wala ka ng peace of mind while ur driving,knowing anytime ur engine will turn off.imagine u experience it while u have ur precious cargo on board!!! good luck (05 February 2010)
• >. says gusto mong makakitang pickup na medyu ok tignan mo sa site n to http://www.gwm.com.cn/eng/html/models/sailor.asp pakitignan ung deer saka socool makakaita kayung ng hilux at frontier hehehehe promise (05 February 2010)
• 500 Jefferson says Forget about Toyota, losing 30B dollar already due to their 8 faulty models & just the other day, Prius again . Hilux-no way baka ma-serko-balintong ka. People now in the US are scared to drive toyota products. (06 February 2010)
• watch says panoorin nyu to pinagtawanan lng ng mitsu ang isuzu http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHmszFtuV-g&feature=related (06 February 2010)
• norvie says @watch hahahaha kinaladkad ng mitsu ang isuzu hahahahah!!! nice nice go for the strada! or go for the hilux! (06 February 2010)
• torque88 says Grabe...I like this video..Partida pa ha unang bumatak ang Isuzu then wla parin..hahahahaGo for Strada Doc.Glenn (07 February 2010)
• KJ says wow lakas ng pulling power ng strada wow hinatak lng na parang aso ung isuzu ahh astig ganda pa ng kulay ng strada blue go for the strada, i like that video (07 February 2010)
• Juan Miguel Reantaso Mendoza says CURSE YOU HMM AND YEHEY the strada has the most nice tail the UGLIEST tail goes to hilux. the hilux' tail is very old style. the ranger is " magastos at matakaw sa gas " and it looks small. the navara looks to big and low. hilux is old style. go for the strada dr glenn the strada has all the requirements u need. (07 February 2010)
• yehey says ang PANGET MASAGWA MASAHOL ang likod ng strada nyu hahaha sa hilux plane lng peru maganda mukang butete yang strada nyu hahaha.... (07 February 2010)
• google says yehey ur so cheap! (07 February 2010)
• jbm 67 says Doc.Glenn u may read Top Gear Philippines issue # 25,38&54 and your concern regarding pick up will be answered.I own a FORD RANGER 4x2 w/ 5 speed A/T. This truck is so sulit in terms of POWER,HANDLING & EFFICIENCY not to mention its MACHO aura.The engine is very responsive and it can sit 5 full grown adult comfortably. It's so tough and very reliable. SMILE... (07 February 2010)
• yehey says @google asa ka hahahaha magoogle k nlng wag kana magtopgear hahahaha pangcheap yang site mo google? anu yan pangpoor!hahahahahaha google hahahahahaha nakakatawa FUNNY! (08 February 2010)
• rupert says lakas manginis nitong c yehey.......basta maganda ung video ni watch hehehe kinaladkad nga XD GO!!for the STRADA!! wag ka magnavara ang baba nya promise ung ranger matakaw sa gasulina ung toyota sana magandang choice peru ung sa D4D nga na engine na nagchochoke kaya GO! for the no.1 pickup in the pinas the STRADA!!! wooooo!! (08 February 2010)
• yahoo says the ranger is nice pero ang SIKIPPPPPP. strada nalang cos it has out of the box design not your ordinary looking pick up plus its reliable :P (08 February 2010)
• nyahahahha says laftrip yung video (08 February 2010)
• kanto tero says yap @torque88! im not a fan of strada kaso napanood ko video... galing2x ng strada nagmukhang kariton yung isuzu.. No 1 fan nako ngaun ng strada.. Mas maganda kung me video din hatakan Buy mo na strada okidoc hnd ka magsisisi.... (08 February 2010)
• buto mo! says Go with the Nissan. Mitsubishi are in a slump right now and the quality is cheap. Yeah it has a nice interior and exterior but it depreciates faster unlike the Nissan and Toyota witch has better after sales service and they have a higher resale value. (08 February 2010)
• dj mo says Isuzu na lng buy mo dok and then mag hatakan tayo ng strada 3.2 ko.. wag ka maniwala kay @buto mo! walang alam yan Nissan pang kape lng sa starbucks ang katapat nyan at kung gusto mo madisgrasya bili ka toyota . sana me video din montero at fortuner mag hatakan para pulutin din sa kangkungan ang fortuner. he he he (09 February 2010)
• ryu33 says The video between the 2 pick ups is not the test of engine power but the tyres traction capability (09 February 2010)
• watch says ou nga malakas nga traction mo ehh kung mahina naman ung makina mo wala rin.....go for the strada! (09 February 2010)
• axle says tol ranger maangas yon ska mindanao k naman kailngan mataas ang clearance (09 February 2010)
• howard says nissan navara or ford ranger or mitsubishi strada? i would choose ford ranger. a truck that is true to its purpose. ample cargo space, higher ground clearance, and powerful engine. things that would disappoint you for ford ranger though are its back set legroom space, bumpy suspension (if without cargo). but the things that would entice you to pick ford ranger from others are available after-services, you could get zero participation for any repair needed for your unit. you bump a tree and damage your bumper, you could send your unit to ford casa for repair without paying a single penny. not all ford dealers offer zero-participation, you could check autohubgroup.com to see participating dealers. seems my comments are bias but i happen to own ford everest since 2008, and have use it nearly 90,000 kms for my zamboanga-davao trips. (09 February 2010)
• hmm says they keep bragging about the power of strada based from unreliable st*p*d video made by a mitsu fanatic...point of comparison: mitsucrap strada 3.2 engine = 160HP / Torque 343 nissan navarra 2.5 engine = 174HP / Torque 403 WOW!did it say 2.5 only? toyota hilux 3.0 engine = 163HP / torque 343 ford ranger 3.0 engine = 156HP / Torque 380 isuzu d-max 3.0 engine = 146HP/ Torque 290 i'd expect more of this engine DR. GLENN if your road is not as bad as a trip to the top of pinatubo then i suggest you buy the navarra...the roomiest and most comfortable ride..but if your road is that bad then buy the ford ranger second highest torque...botchi haven't tested the navarra...he kept telling the plus side of strada while he owned a hilux..?(something fishy)..all i can say spend your money wisely!!!break a leg... (10 February 2010)
• ninoy77 says doc glen anu nakabili kna ng pick up mo?share mo naman anu binili mo?para matahimik na sila...hehehehe..goodluck doc glen (10 February 2010)
• CL says i agree with ninoy! ishare mo naman doc glen ung pinili mo o na bili na pls. saka nga pala wag kayung makikinig kay juan t*ng* ohh i mean juan miguel (10 February 2010)
• goldcrow says http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GD8E-RtGv4k&feature=related Like the comments say, it depends greatly on the quality of the tyres. Grip is indeed everything. Btw, I'd rather see which pickup truck could haul heavier stuff in its bed. To be on topic, the Navara is the newest and most powerful of the lot, and I'd take it if I needed a truck today. (10 February 2010)
• maxpayne says yung strada para sa kin ung the best, kasi meron syang LCD info display sa gitna ng dashboard. kelangan yun lalo na sa off-roading kasi meron siyang digital compass, altimetre at fuel and mileage monitor... maganda rin yung hitsura ng strada, at yung 2.5L 4D56 na makina nya, proven and tested... nagamit na ng Adventure, L300, L200... yung 3.2L 4M41 naman, ginamit yan sa pajero sa UK, yung bago, at maraming mga briton ang nagsasabing "reliable" yung diesel version ng pajero sa kanila... ung D-Max, ayoko kasi maingay yung makina... pero maganda ang loob, meron pang backup sensors... yung hilux, di ko gaanong alam yun, ang alam ko lang, halos kapareha ng forty ung hilux... pareho din ng problema sa makina, etc. (10 February 2010)
• hmm says @maxpayne yan 2.5 engine nayan is the same engine they've used sa ZERO's(tora-tora plane)they've just upgraded it a bit...kaya tama ka na proven and tested yan engine ng mitsu...lol.. (11 February 2010)
• suv says bakit kaya ang mga toyotics, mapuri lang ang mitsu vehicles nagpuputok na agad ang butse..lol (12 February 2010)
• megadeth says haha everytime i hear people praising the navara because of its 6 speed gimmick it just tickles my brain off, c'mon number of gears does not mean the car is superfast at strong, sure navara is a good truck but strada 3.2Gls sport owns it in anyday...why i said this? cause i have driven both pick ups, and the strada 3.2 has the power that can shake your *ss to hell, no way the navara can equal the roaring 3.2 CRDI of the mtisubishi..the navara on the otherhand felt so anemic..haha (22 February 2010)
• peb says From your choices, get the Navara. I own 4x4 M/T Navara and Strada 3.2. For long drives, hindi ka mastress sa Navara kasi tahimik makina at comfy ang loob though softer ang ride ng Strada. Highspeed and banking, panalo ang Navara, Strada ingay ng makina parang canter truck at katakot sa hard bend parang tataob..Top-end speed sa SCTEX meron pa bang hihigit sa 220kph ng Navara? Madami quality issues Strada balak kona benta.. (22 February 2010)
• katana says if you want power and speed, go for navara. but safety of this vehicle is at risk. most of the occupant died due to accident on this vehicle. i have witnessed 2 incident here in mindanao. one in south cotabato and the other one in surigao. all the drivers did not survive. if comfort. safety and performance are your choice, then go for strada. regarding the resale value, i think the strada is cheaper than other selective product by almost 200 thousand pesos. granting your planning to sell the vehicle after 5 yrs and the resale value is lower by a hundred thousand, you still save almost a hundred thousand base on brand new purchased priced. hope this might help you choose among the 4x4 pick up. go for strada. (22 February 2010)
• R6 says Strada!!!!...Wuhooooo!!! (23 February 2010)
• James_Santos_II says Choose the Strada if owning a common pickup isn't a problem - ala Civic, Fortuner in their respective segments etc. It's the safe bet judging by sales and it ticks all the boxes you'd look for in a pickup. However, depends how you look at it - the Navara's tan and spacious interior makes it a pleasant to be in, it's front and rear is IMO much more macho and gwapo than the Strada, but the Strada's side view is better than the Navs. The Nav is lower to the ground than the Strada - again, this is either a good or bad thing, depends what your preferences are. I'd totally disregard the Ranger, no offence. If I had to spend my hard earned money on either of the two pickups, I'd choose the Nissan Navara 4x4. SOURCE: I've just purchased a 2010 Strada 3.2 GLS and already own a 2009 Navara 4x4 M/T - I prefer the Navara. (25 February 2010)
• speedup says mabuhay ang ford ranger.. (03 March 2010)
• kiko sanchez says To Dr. Glenn: i hope i could influence you more with what i have to share. For me no complaints on the Isuzu DMax-siado.... ahihi. Mine is a 2008 model, runs at 170 kph steadfastly at NLEX. Climbs up Baguio even at low rpms. Compared to the so-called Nissan Navara, which incidentally is our service vehicle here in Spain, the DMax has more low-end power and you can lug it in hillclimbs, that makes it an outstanding hauler. The Navara can't do that below 2000 rpm ---- you have to wait to get that 2k rpm and only then will the power shoots up (there's a lag)! Compared also to the Toyota Hi-lux, our service vehicle in Malaysia, it is one of the most boring pick-ups i've ever ridden. Even my English and Kiwi buddies find the same, and they love the DMax compared to all the service pick-ups we've had. Moreover, as a matter of an objective proof, and not just by seat-of-pants feel, no other locally-available pick-up could match the breadth of its peak torque in terms of longevity (1400 rpm to 3400, over an entire 2000 rpm breadth)! Needless to say, with the Isuzu DMax, power is ensured, instantaneous, and may i say, satisfying.... very satisfying! Now, as Filipinos we are, let's just be patient in awaiting for the arrival here of the 3rd-generation 3.0L Hi-Power Turbo CRDi DMax that is currently issued in Australia. This one makes more horsepower and is torquier (360 N-m from 1400 rpm to 3400 rpm) than our current Asian-version. Make no mistake, that by that time, the DMax will be a lot more way, way ahead in competition! If you want a pick-up with no-frills, no-gimmickry (like a transformer looking Strada --- you may think that people when looking at the Strada they like how it looks, but actually, they are laughing!), and an outstanding performer, the Isuzu DMax is your best choice! (11 March 2010)
• kiko sanchez says To Watch: Watch this http://www.youtube.com/v/GD8E-RtGv4k?hl=en_US&fs=1 This time the competition is equalized ---- 2-door Isuzu DMax versus 2-door Mitsubishi Transformer-Strada. Panis naman ang Strada mo, pare koy haha! The first vid you showed, didn't do justice for the lighter 2-door DMax against the 4-door 4x4 Strada.... Even the tires and the equivalent traction on those trucks, we didn't even see them. Now, on the context of rough road, and both as 2-door pick-ups, it's a different story. Besides, your modern Strada got the 3.2L engine while the DMax only sports the 3.0L engine. Wait 'til the Australian-variant DMax gets here in Pinas, mas lalaong panis na ang Strada, pare koy GUARANTEED! (11 March 2010)
• Ian Ditangan says aw (19 March 2010)
• Ian Ditangan says sa lahat po..medyo agree nga ako sa strada..syempre its a 3.2 engine db? laki laki..tama ung isang nabasa kong comment sa navarra..kahit 6speed sya..hindi parin sya ganun kalakas..look for the specs nun..170hp at 4000? wtf! ang tagal pa nun..haha..tsaka nga mababa ground clerance..maybe good about it is still their aircon system..any ways..ang aking ride po ay ford ranger trekker 4x2 at ranger 4x2 wildtrak..=) peace to all..hope you can get sir your right pickup..my conclusion here will be the battle between ranger and strada..=) (19 March 2010)
• Juan Miguel Mendoza says kailan nga ulit tayo nagkasundo CL? (19 March 2010)
• kiko sanchez says To Ian Ditangan: Haha, tama ka dyan Ian! Tama observation mo!.... Too much revolution per minute at pagtaas-baba ng piston para lang to run 160 kph ang Navara is equalt to too much STRAIN to the engine, plus fuel consumption! I've driven Navara in Spain, when i was assign there for 1 year in one of our mining projects. The Navara can't even climb the open pits and haul cargo from our underground mine at less than 2000 rpm, especially if its on 2-wheel drive mode only on a fair day (non-slippery mine roads)! Power is so anemic below this rpm, and it only shoots up (in a peaky manner) by 2000 rpm and up. When you engage the 4 wheel-drive it gobbles a lot of fuel! In Malaysia, we're driving the Hi-lux 3.0 D4D. It's quite a good engine although a bit boring, and not as instantaneous in giving out power like the DMax. My Aussie-, Brit-, and Kiwi- coworkers, share the same observation, and they like the DMax. In Vietnam, and also in Spain, also at the same mine where i also drove the Navara, we also have the DMax (a Euro-version). The one in Vietnam is an Asian-version like ours here in Pinas. The DMax can chug-chug anything, climb even at 1000 rpm only very easily, meaning low-end rpm. Power build-up is smooth-and-steady that's why it is torquey which ensures better traction more than overpowering a climb. With the Dmax's smooth power build-up and responsive engine, wheelspin is never a problem. It produces broad power and torque from 1400 rpm to 3400 rpm ---- this is how wide it is! Having driven all these 3 pick-ups (DMax, Navara, Hi-lux) in different terrains ---- mine underground, open-pits, dam construction, when the time i have to acquire one for myself (out of my own pocket), i went for the Isuzu DMax! (26 March 2010)
• badoodle says You're a MAN, go for the NAVARA! STRADA - For hairdressers. (07 May 2010)
• Ian Ditangan says all of these three pickups is equipped with limited slip differential..its your choice..=) (13 May 2010)
• kiko sanchez says Fuel efficiency and responsive power? ---- no doubt the Isuzu DMax 3-liter 4JJ1-TC DDi-iTEQ (common-rail) is very fuel efficient. Drove down south to Camarines Sur with my wife, son, yaya, together with our things onto our way to the famed Camarines Watersports Complex just a bit further south of Naga City (and also to see the beaches of Caramoan Peninsula thereafter). Logged in a total of 425.5 km (from Tierra Pura gate to CWC) and consuming only almost 1/3 of my fuel-tank. Computing that, it gives you a fuel mileage of 17 km per liter (e.g. 425.5 km divide by 25 liters) My friends who were also on convoy with us on their Hyundai Starex CRDi's and Toyota Fortuner 3.0L D4D simply could not believe how fuel-efficient the DMax is. The Starex Fuel gauge only has 1/4 left while the Fortuner D4-D had 1/3 left. All of us (my DMax, their Fortuner and Hyundai) loaded up our fuel tanks at Petron Congressional Station prior to speeding off to Naga City at around 3:00 am, 28 April 2010. All throughout our 3-day inland travel from Quezon City to Naga (CWC) to Albay to Naga (CWC) to Guijalo Port to Naga City proper, my DMax did not require refuelling. It was then ONLY on our way back to Metro Manila (Quezon City) that Sunday of the week where i had to refuel. Here's a photo of my control panel at the end of the 425.5 km trip from Quezon City to CWC, Naga (copy and paste link): http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/10/dsc04354bx.jpg ....Being the cheapest 3-liter out there and yet arguably the most fuel-efficient, my all-stock DMax is just one humble hauler getting the job done wherever i take it (Pampanga, Pangasinan, La Union, Tarlac, Zambales in Mt. Pinatubo, Baguio, Rizal, Antipolo, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Camarines Sur, Albay). Copy and paste links: http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/5540/dsc04532b.jpg http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/1821/fil11231.jpg http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/6325/dsc04040i.jpg http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/9034/dsc03885ok.jpg (25 May 2010)
• dtkiko says When choosing a pick-up, the key elements usually come down to dependability, durability, safety, responsive power (right amount of power vis-a-vis torque where and when you need it, not brutish raw power like the other competitors), downright simplicity in looks, fuel efficiency, and best bang for your money? ---- no doubt the 3-liter Isuzu DMax 4JJ1-TC DDi-iTEQ fits all the bill (29 May 2010)
• dr. glenn says sorry its been a long time since i asked this question to sir botchi. would just like to thank everyone for the inputs. i've test driven the three i was initially considering and bought the NAVARA. it was a very close choice between the 3.2 strada and the navara. but after testing both machines, i just had to get the more expensive of the two. why it took so longfor this feedback... well, i was too busy enjoying my new pickup. my kids love it too and would not even want to ride my old reliable toyota revo if they can help it. nuff said. their verdict is what mattered most. thanks again sir botchi and more power to TGP. (04 June 2010)
• expatio says Congrats on your new purchase Dr. Glen I too will be buying a pickup before Christmas. My choices are between the Strada 2.5 GLS 4x4, Strada 3.2, Dmax and Navara. I have already discounted the Hilux (I hated it), Dmax (noisey and looks/feels 90s). Have only been a passenger in the Navara, and the driver was trying to impress me with high reving through the gears. Looks wise it seems to be a lot bigger than it actually is compaed to the Strada compact design. I have driven a 4x2 2.5 Strada. It is a nice drive, but I think I might want a little bit more power. So next month I will take a drive in the 3.2 Strada and the Nissan. The Nissan is already way behind on looks. Looking at the power figuire curves, it seems the guy that brought me for a spin was reving it high for a reason. It seems that its peak hp is at 4000rpm. That is all very well for a car; but a truck needs lots of low end grunt. Anyway, I will report back in a few months. ATM the Strada 3.2 is in first place. Will make my final judgement on test driving and without the influence of fan boys ;-) (06 August 2010)