Nissan Navara with petrol: should you choose over diesel?

Gasoline versions Nissan Navara - a rarity in the Russian market, where diesel pickups traditionally dominate. However, they have their fans: those who value quieter engine operation, ease of maintenance in cold weather and lower fuel costs (in some regions). In this article we will look at what gasoline engines were installed on Navara different generations, their real pros and cons, and also comparable with diesel counterparts in key parameters: consumption, reliability and cost of ownership.

We will pay special attention to issues that are relevant for 2026: where can you buy gasoline today? Navara (new or used), what operational nuances are important to consider, and why some owners switch from diesel to gasoline - or vice versa. If you are faced with a choice between 2.5 dCi And 2.5 MPI, here you will find arguments for and against.

What petrol engines were installed on the Nissan Navara?

For the history of the model Nissan Navara (including generation NP300) gasoline engines were offered in limited quantities. Main options:

• 🔹 QR25DE (2.5 l, 169–174 hp) - the most common gasoline unit for Navara D40 (2005–2014). Atmospheric, with distributed injection, meets the standard Euro 4.
• 🔹 VQ40DE (4.0 l, 261–266 hp) - powerful V6 for the Middle East and Australian markets. In Russia it is extremely rare, mainly on used imported copies.
• 🔹 HR16DE (1.6 l, 114 hp) - experimental version for some Asian markets (for example, Thailand). Not officially on the Russian market.

In the current generation NP300 (since 2015) petrol versions were not officially supplied to Russia - diesel dominates here YD25DDTi. However, on the secondary market you can find “gray” imported copies with a motor QR25DE, imported from the UAE or Southeast Asia.

Important: petrol Navara often have a simplified transmission (for example, a 5-speed manual transmission instead of a 6-speed on diesels) and a lower payload - this is due to the lower torque of gasoline engines.

Comparison of gasoline and diesel: which is more profitable?

The main question when choosing Navara — comparison of gasoline and diesel versions. Let's look at the key parameters in the table:

Parameter	Gasoline QR25DE (2.5 l)	Diesel YD25DDTi (2.5 l)
Power, hp	169–174	163–190 (depending on version)
Torque, Nm	228–230	403–450
Fuel consumption (combined), l/100 km	11.5–13.0	8.5–10.0
Maintenance cost (on average), rub.	12 000–15 000	18 000–25 000
Resource to capital, km	250 000–300 000	350 000–500 000

Critical nuance: the petrol Navara loses up to 30% of its carrying capacity compared to the diesel version due to less torque at low revs. This means that when fully loaded (for example, 1 ton + trailer), the engine will work at the limit, which will affect the resource.

On the other hand, a gasoline engine is easier to maintain: there is no particulate filter (DPF), systems AdBlue and turbines with variable geometry, which often fail on diesel engines after 150–200 thousand km. Also petrol Navara It starts better in cold weather (provided the battery is in good condition) and is less demanding on fuel quality.

⚠️ Attention: “Reflashed” diesel engines are often found on the secondary market Navara, passed off as gasoline. Check the VIN code through services like vinformer.su or autocod.ru — the motor must match the documentation.

Pros and cons of the petrol Nissan Navara

Let's look at the real advantages and disadvantages based on owner reviews (data collected from forums navara-club.ru And drive2.ru for 2023–2026).

Benefits:

• 💰 Cheaper to maintain: no type consumables DPF, EGR or injectors Common Rail, which on diesel engines cost 50,000–100,000 rubles. when replacing.
• ❄️ Best cold start: at −20°C, the gasoline version starts the first time (with a working starter), while the diesel version may require a pre-heater.
• 🔧 Easier to repair: petrol mechanics QR25DE well studied, spare parts are cheaper (for example, a timing belt costs ~3,000 rubles versus ~8,000 rubles for a diesel engine).
• 🎵 Quieter and better vibration isolation: at idle, a gasoline engine is almost inaudible, while a diesel engine vibrates and rumbles.

Disadvantages:

• ⛽ Higher fuel consumption: petrol in the city Navara consumes 14–16 l/100 km, while diesel consumes 9–11 l/100 km. On the highway the difference is less (10 vs 7–8 liters).
• 🏋️ Less load capacity: maximum trailer weight for the petrol version is 2,000 kg (versus 3,500 kg for diesel).
• 🔥 Risk of overheating: When towing or driving uphill, a gasoline engine heats up more than a diesel engine due to less torque reserve.
• 💸 Low liquidity on the secondary market: petrol Navara They sell longer and are cheaper than their diesel counterparts (the price difference is 10–15%).

Real fuel consumption: owner data

Official fuel consumption figures for petrol Nissan Navara (for example, 11.5 l/100 km in the combined cycle for QR25DE) often diverge from reality. According to a survey of owners on drive2.ru (2026), actual consumption depends on operating conditions:

• 🏙️ City (Moscow, traffic jams): 14–16 l/100 km. With the air conditioning on and frequent stops, it can reach up to 18 liters.
• 🛣️ Route (90–110 km/h): 9–11 l/100 km. At speeds >120 km/h, consumption sharply increases to 12–14 liters.
• 🏔️ Off-road/mountain: 18–22 l/100 km. A gasoline engine loses traction at low speeds, which forces you to change the gas more often.
• 🚛 With trailer (1.5 t): 17–20 l/100 km. Diesel under the same conditions consumes 12–14 liters.

For comparison: diesel Navara with motor YD25DDTi under the same conditions shows:

• City: 9–11 l/100 km
• Highway: 6–8 l/100 km
• Off-road: 12–15 l/100 km

Conclusion: the difference in consumption between gasoline and diesel is 30–40% in favor of diesel. However, for short mileages (up to 20 thousand km/year), this difference can be offset by the low cost of servicing the gasoline version.

Reliability of the QR25DE gasoline engine: weak points

Motor QR25DE - one of the most popular in the line Nissan, it was installed on X-Trail, Teana and other models. In general, it is considered reliable, but has several common problems:

1. Oil leak through valve cover - appears after 100–150 thousand km. Solved by replacing the gasket (~2,000 rubles including labor).
2. Timing chain wear — on runs >200 thousand km, the chain can stretch, which leads to an error P0011 (phase shift). Replacing a chain with tensioners costs 25,000–30,000 rubles.
3. Throttle valve contamination — due to the crankcase gas recirculation system (PCV) the valve becomes covered with carbon deposits. Cleaning is required every 50,000 km.
4. Problems with ignition coils — after 150 thousand km, misfires may appear (errors P0300–P0304). Replacing the coil - ~3,000 rubles. per piece.

For comparison: diesel YD25DDTi has other weak points - the turbine (TD04 fails after 200 thousand km), particulate filter (DPF gets clogged during city use) and injectors (Denso or Bosch, replacement price - 15,000–20,000 rubles. per piece).

Recommendation: when buying a gasoline Navara with mileage >150 thousand km, be sure to check:

• 🔧 Compression in the cylinders (norm - 12-13 bar).
• 🛢️ Condition of the oil (there should be no emulsion or metal shavings).
• 🔥 Exhaust color (blue smoke indicates oil burner).

⚠️ Attention: Gasoline Navara with mileage >250 thousand km often have worn piston rings, which leads to oil consumption (up to 1 l/1,000 km). Before purchasing, request a video of a cold start - if blue smoke comes from the exhaust pipe, the engine is “tired.”

How to check a gasoline QR25DE before purchasing?

1. Start the engine cold - for the first 10-15 seconds there should be no knocking or metallic clanging (this is a sign of wear on the timing chain or hydraulic compensators).

2. Look at the dipstick - the oil should be light, without black flakes (a sign of turbine destruction, although there is none on the QR25DE, but there may be carbon deposits).

3. Carry out a test drive: there should be no “failures” when you press the gas sharply (check the ignition coils and injectors).

4. Connect a diagnostic scanner (for example, ELM327) and check for errors in the protocol OBD-II. Common errors for QR25DE: P0171 (lean mixture) P0300 (misfire).

Where to buy a petrol Nissan Navara in 2026?

New petrol Navara have not been officially supplied to Russia since 2015. However, there are several ways to purchase such a pickup truck:

1. Secondary market (used)

The main source is used copies D40 (2005–2014) with motor QR25DE. Prices for 2026:

• 🚗 2008–2010, mileage 150–200 thousand km: 1.2–1.5 million rub.
• 🚗 2011–2014, mileage 100–150 thousand km: 1.7–2.2 million rub.

Where to look:

• 🔹 avito.ru (filter: "Nissan Navara" + "petrol").
• 🔹 drom.ru - section "Pickups".
• 🔹 Thematic groups in Telegram (for example, @navara_ru).

2. Parallel import

Some companies bring gasoline Navara NP300 from the UAE or Saudi Arabia (versions with VQ40DE). Cost:

• 🚛 Navara NP300 4.0 V6 (2016–2018): 3.5–4.5 million rub.
• 🔧 Adaptation to Russian standards is required (replacing headlights, adjusting the ECU).

3. Conversion of diesel into gasoline

Some workshops offer to remake diesel Navara for a gasoline engine (for example, install QR25DE from X-Trail). Cost of work:

• 🔧 Engine replacement + ECU firmware: RUB 300,000–500,000
• ⚠️ Risks: problems with registration with the traffic police (expertise required).

Owner reviews: is it worth taking?

After analyzing the reviews on the forums (navara-club.ru, drive2.ru, 4x4club.ru), we can highlight the typical opinions of owners of gasoline Navara:

Positive Feedback:

• 👍 "Starts at −30°C without problems, while the neighbor's diesel version requires a heater. Consumption in the city is 14 liters - expensive, but there are no headaches with DPF and soot." (Alexey, Moscow, Navara D40 2.5 MPI 2010)
• 👍 "Maintenance is 2 times cheaper than diesel. Over the 5 years of ownership, I only replaced spark plugs, oil and brake pads. Diesel friends have already spent 200+ thousand on a turbine and injectors." (Dmitry, Ekaterinburg, Navara D40 2.5 2012)
• 👍 "Silence in the cabin — on the highway you can’t hear the engine, only the noise from the wheels. Ideal for family trips." (Igor, Sochi, Navara D40 2.5 2011)

Negative feedback:

• 👎 "The consumption is simply killer — in the city 16 l, on the highway with a trailer 19 l. Diesel would consume 30% less." (Sergey, Novosibirsk, Navara D40 2.5 2009)
• 👎 "Weak dynamics — it’s difficult to overtake trucks on an uphill slope; you have to put a lot of pressure on the gas. Diesel is definitely better here." (Anton, Krasnoyarsk, Navara D40 2.5 2010)
• 👎 "Impossible to sell — the ad was up for 4 months, I had to drop the price by 200 thousand rubles." (Oleg, St. Petersburg, Navara D40 2.5 2011)

General trend: gasoline Navara appeal to those who drive little (up to 15 thousand km/year) and value ease of maintenance. For commercial use or frequent trips with cargo, diesel remains the only choice.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the petrol Nissan Navara

❓ Is it possible to convert a diesel Navara to petrol?

Technically yes, but it is expensive and problematic from a legal point of view. You will need:

1. Buy a gasoline engine (for example, QR25DE from X-Trail — ~150,000 rub.).
2. Adapt fastenings and electrics (another ~200,000 rubles).
3. Pass an examination at the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate to make changes to the title (cost ~50,000 rubles, but they do not always approve).

Total: 400,000–500,000 rub. + risk of problems during sale. It is more profitable to buy a ready-made gasoline version.

❓ What kind of gasoline should I fill in the Navara 2.5 MPI?

Manufacturer recommends AI-95. Can be poured AI-92, but:

• 🔥 Risk of detonation under high loads (e.g. towing).
• 🔧 An error may appear P0328 (misfire).

On the forums, owners note that on AI-98 The motor runs smoother, but there is no increase in power. The main thing is to avoid questionable gas stations: QR25DE sensitive to fuel quality (injectors may become clogged).

❓ How long does the QR25DE gasoline engine last?

With proper maintenance, the resource is:

• 🔧 300,000–350,000 km — up to the first capital (replacement of rings, liners).
• 🔧 400,000+ km - when using high-quality oil (5W-30 or 5W-40 synthetics) and regular throttle cleaning.

Weaknesses that reduce resource:

• 🛢️ Oil fasting — if you don’t change the oil every 10,000 km.
• ❄️ Overheating - when towing or driving uphill without cooling.

❓ Which gearbox is better for the petrol Navara?

Options:

• 🔹 5-speed manual transmission — reliable, but “long” gears (on the highway, 5th is only engaged at 100+ km/h).
• 🔹 4-speed automatic — outdated design, “stupid” when overtaking. Fuel consumption is 1–2 l/100 km higher.

Recommendation: if you plan to drive off-road or tow, take Manual transmission. An automatic machine is also suitable for the city, but be prepared for more frequent visits to gas stations.

❓ Where can I find spare parts for the petrol Navara?

Main sources:

• 🔧 Official dealers Nissan — original spare parts, but expensive (for example, a timing belt — ~8,000 rubles).
• 🔧 Online stores:
  • exist.ru - large selection of analogues (for example, filter Mann or Bosch).
  • emex.ru - for rare parts (for example, valve cover gasket).
• 🔧 Disassembly - used spare parts from X-Trail or Teana with the same engine QR25DE.

Tip: to save money, buy consumables as a set (for example, candles NGK + wires + filter) - it’s cheaper than separately.