It’s no secret that South Africans love their bakkies. There’s something about their chunky styling, rugged underpinnings and sheer capability that appeals to the adventurer inside all of us.
This can be seen in the sheer number of Hiluxes, Ranger’s and Amarok’s that are seen from the leafy suburbs, to the rough and tumble rural areas of the country. Very few brands are trusted by loyal South Africans, with the aforementioned trio enjoying great popularity on local roads.
Nissan, however, has a rich and varied history when it comes to the double-cab bakkie. From the early 90’s, the Japanese brand has always had a bakkie on offer. The Hardbody eventually made way for the Navara in 2005 which, back then, amazed buyers with its angular, modern styling and SUV-like interior.
The second-generation Navara failed to capture the attention like the Ford Ranger and Amarok did. However, Nissan has given its big bruiser a facelift - can it steal sales from the big three?
From a styling point of view, we certainly think so. Like the Mazda BT-50 we recently tested, the new Navara looks absolutely fantastic. Chunky and rugged, the range-topping two-wheel drive model (PRO-2X) is festooned with a number of styling add-ons. The blacked out grille gives the double-cab great presence, aided by orange trim on the scuff plate.
Even without the detailing, the Nissan Navara remains a good-looking bakkie and, while design is subjective, we think it’s up there with the Amarok and BT-50.
In terms of the interior, we applaud Nissan for the improvements they’ve implemented. Thankfully, the rearview camera has been relocated into the infotainment system - a far more user-friendly solution than the previous camera, placed in the rear-view mirror. The touchscreen system also features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a boon when it comes to connectivity.
Other impressive standard features include keyless entry with push-button start, cruise control, rain sensing wipers and leather seats. Further enhancing passenger comfort is the automatic climate control, while safety is taken care of by seven airbags and a host of electronic safety aids, including traction and stability control.
Compared to its rivals, we feel the Navara does lag slightly when it comes to interior ambience. While the materials feel hard-wearing, perceived build quality trails behind solidly-built rivals, such as the Amarok and the BT-50. That’s not to say it feels flimsy, Nissan has undoubtedly engineered it to withstand knocks and bumps over many years - it’s just the premium feel that’s perhaps lacking.
On the road, the Navara feels excellent. In general, bakkies are starting to move away from the double-cabs of old. No longer are they slow, rough or uncomfortable. The Navara’s 2.5-litre, 140 kW/450 Nm turbodiesel engine is nicely refined and offers plenty of go. What’s more, claimed fuel consumption is rated at 8.1 L/100 km. While we managed just over 9.0 L/100 km, with careful driving, a range of nearly 1000 km is entirely possible. The ride is rather good, too. It irons out the bumps better than the older model, with a more supple quality to the suspension.
Certainly aiding everything is the smooth-shifting seven-speed automatic transmission. It blurs through the gears with impressive efficiency and is undoubtedly a big reason behind the Navara’s impressive fuel economy.
Despite being the two-wheel-drive derivative, the R699 000 model is talented off-road. Obviously, it can’t do what a full on off-roader with four-wheel-drive could, but felt superbly planted on gravel roads and traversed a mild off-road course with relative ease.
Verdict
Nissan’s latest Navara is a great improvement over the pre-facelift model. It looks fantastic, is blessed with plenty of standard specification and rides incredibly well. The performance is commendable and, in this day and age, the frugal fuel economy is a big factor. But in this segment, it is up against very tough competition, especially with the likes of Ford launching its brand new Ranger.
Also worth a look: the Nissan Rav4 and the Nissan's New Gravite MPV: A 7-Seater for South Africa?.
FAQ
Q: What does the Nissan Navara 2.5DDTi PRO-2X cost in South Africa?
The Nissan Navara 2.5DDTi double cab PRO-2X is priced at R599,900 in South Africa, making it a competitive option in the premium bakkie segment alongside the Ford Ranger and VW Amarok.
Q: Is the Nissan Navara PRO-2X worth buying?
The Navara PRO-2X is definitely worth considering if you want a well-equipped bakkie with modern tech like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus it looks absolutely fantastic with its chunky styling and blacked-out grille.
Q: How much power does the Nissan Navara 2.5DDTi engine produce?
The 2.5-litre DDTi diesel engine in the Navara produces 140kW of power and 450Nm of torque, giving it enough grunt for both daily driving and weekend adventures.
Q: What are the main competitors to the Nissan Navara PRO-2X?
The Navara PRO-2X goes head-to-head with South Africa's bakkie favourites including the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, VW Amarok, and the impressive Mazda BT-50.
Q: Does the Nissan Navara PRO-2X come with 4WD?
No, the PRO-2X is actually the range-topping two-wheel drive model, but Nissan does offer 4WD variants in other Navara trim levels for those needing extra off-road capability.
Should You Buy It?
The best stylish bakkie under R600,000 in South Africa is the Nissan Navara 2.5DDTi PRO-2X at R599,900. If you're after a double cab that looks the business and comes loaded with modern tech like Apple CarPlay, keyless entry, and cruise control, this is your bakkie. The 140kW diesel engine provides decent performance, and the chunky styling with blacked-out grille gives it serious road presence. However, if you absolutely need 4WD or want the most proven reliability record, the Toyota Hilux might still be your safer bet. For style-conscious buyers who want something different from the usual Hilux crowd, the Navara PRO-2X is a solid yes.
