Now assembled in South Africa for export to the world, the third generation Nissan Navara continues to carve a relatively unassuming path through the local bakkie landscape. Tried and tested, it’s a double-cab package that more than holds its own against its headline-hunting rivals.
From the venerable “Champion of Africa” 1400 half-ton bakkie of the ‘70s and ‘80s to the still striving 1-ton Hardbody package, the Nissan badge in South Africa has grown to be synonymous with durability and good ol’ fashioned graft. While the spirit of the 1400 lives on in an NP200 derivative that is the only surviving half-ton offering still available new on our market, the Hardbody continues to defy the odds by proving an ever-popular workhorse; one particularly prevalent on pre-owned and auction house floors.
Building on the established success of the Hardbody, the first Navara double-cab to be introduced into South Africa in 2005 was viewed by Nissan as a necessary evolution into the then still burgeoning lifestyle-focussed segment. Sharing its underpinnings with the Pathfinder SUV that had been introduced a few months earlier, the Navara stood notably taller, wider and altogether more prominent than its Hardbody stablemate. Chrome inserts on the grille added presence while branded roof rails were arguably more for show than practicality.
The Navara would be launched with 2.5-litre dCi turbodiesel motor delivering 106 kW and 356 N.m of torque to the rear wheels only. While a 128 kW/356 N.m 4x4 derivative would follow soon thereafter, the big news for local fans would be the introduction in 2010 of a flagship 3.0-litre V6 model. Featuring the brand’s 170 kW/500 N.m “V9X” turbodiesel motor, the top-of-the-range Navara had the clout (and unfortunately a price tag) to match its purposeful stance, including a sub-10-seconds claimed 0-100 km/h sprint time.
From 2007, the Hardbody would gain its still current NP300 designation. The distinction in terms of both perceived built quality and on-road refinement between it and its more fashionable sibling would become somewhat more obvious with the arrival of the new D23-generation Navara in 2017. Boasting an interior designed to mimic the brand’s most popular SUV offering of the time, the X-Trail, the relatively long wait to finally welcome the new model to our shores was pre-empted by both numerous overseas-based accolades, as well as the anticipation around Nissan’s “game-changing” approach to this vehicle’s ride quality. While replacing the leaf-sprung rear suspension arrangement broadly associated with 1-ton bakkies with a more car-like coil-sprung setup didn’t ultimately improve the Navara’s ride comfort to segment-leading levels, the brand’s new twin-turbocharged 2.3-litre diesel introduced newfound levels of both performance and overall refinement.
A technology sharing arrangement between Nissan and Mercedes-Benz (and Renault) would see a Navara-based Mercedes-Benz X-Class double-cab introduced to our shores in 2017. Since discontinued, the “premium bakkie” Benz would struggle to shake both its rugged roots and premium pricing.
The recently updated Navara is now assembled for both local consumption and export to more than 42 overseas markets at Nissan South Africa’s significantly upgraded Rosslyn plant. Even more imposing in terms of revised exterior styling than before, the newest extensive Navara range gains various interior tech and comfort improvements compared with the outgoing portfolio, including a new steering wheel design and infotainment layout. While there’s been significant attention paid to both overall build strength and ride refinement, the range is now bookended by a so-called PRO 4X derivative that gains the brand’s new 140 kW/450 N.m 2.5-litre turbodiesel motor.
South Africa is undeniably a bakkie market. And, while many a social braai has been known to turn sour over debate around which manufacturer makes the best double-cab of the day, it’s safe to assume that the brands that have gained the trust of the general consumer over countless years of service will continue to find favour.
Nissan is one such brand.
A motoring journalist with more than 20 years’ experience, Ian McLaren will be compiling a series are articles documenting his learning curve when it comes to all things auction. Find him on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok at @IanMcLaren76.
These articles aim to offer insights only and in no way encourage reckless or hit-and-miss purchasing decisions.