STEALTH MODE – Nissan Navara Stealth
Nissan has injected even more rugged toughness into their brawny Navara
The Navara has been on the market for a few years now, and while by no means long in the tooth, it still is a very capable bakkie. Whereas the regular Nissan Navara could be likened to a rather suave and smart Bruce Wayne, the new Stealth version of the Navara would be Batman. Let’s not forget that the tough-as-nails Navara shares its underpinnings with the Renault Alaskan and the Mercedes-Benz X-Class.
Even though they call it the Stealth edition, this is likely to be the easiest bakkie to spot on the road. For starters, it features a very stealthy, metallic grey paintjob. All the typical silver and chrome detailing have been replaced with sleek, black trimmings, and there are not-so-subtle orange accents throughout, that shout out “Look at me”. And if that’s not enough, it gets roll-bars, side steps and black alloy wheels to complete the package.
The interior is much of the same, mirroring the two-tone colour theme of the exterior, albeit slightly toned down. The most noticeable updates being the seats featuring black leather side bolsters and orange material inserts and stitching.
The trusted 2.3-litre twin-turbo diesel power plant is still powering the Navara Stealth, and outputs of 140kw and 450nm, available with either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed automatic transmission. It should also be noted that even though there is only one engine option for the Navara, it is still available as either a 4 x 2 or 4 x 4.
It also comes with an array of Nissan Intelligent Mobility technologies, and include, the Intelligent Key System, the Intelligent 4x4 System – which assists drivers in smooth cornering by adjusting power output to the front and rear wheels – and Hill Start Assist. The new Navara also comes with Intelligent Around View Monitor, which uses four cameras positioned at different points around the pickup to give the driver a 360-degree, aerial view of the vehicle and its surrounds.
“Nissan has more than 50 years of heritage in South Africa. The new Nissan Navara Stealth has been engineered specifically with the South African customer in mind, to meet the demands that are placed on them and to reflect something of who they are,” says Kabelo Rabotho, Director Marketing Nissan South Africa.
Navara 2.3D Stealth 4X2 DC R582 200
Navara 2.3D Stealth 4X2 AT DC R599 900
Navara 2.3D Stealth 4X4 AT DC R659 900
Navara 2.3D LE 4X4 AT DC + Leather R647 500
The Nissan Navara Stealth comes with Nissan Assured, including a comprehensive 3-year/90 000km service plan plus a class-leading 6-year/150 000km warranty with Nissan Assured.
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 Stealth cost in South Africa?
The Nissan Navara Stealth typically starts from around R680,000 for the 4x2 manual version, with the fully loaded 4x4 automatic climbing to approximately R750,000, making it one of the pricier bakkies in the segment but packed with serious kit.
Q: Is the Nissan Navara Stealth worth buying?
The Navara Stealth is worth buying if you want a bakkie that stands out from the crowd and don't mind paying a premium for unique styling, as it delivers solid performance with 140kW and 450Nm from its proven twin-turbo diesel engine.
Q: How does the Nissan Navara Stealth compare to the Toyota Hilux?
The Navara Stealth offers more power than most Hilux variants with its 140kW output and comes with more premium features like the Around View Monitor, but the Hilux still edges it on reliability reputation and resale value in the South African market.
Q: What is the fuel consumption of the Nissan Navara Stealth?
The Navara Stealth achieves a claimed fuel consumption of around 8.1 litres per 100km for the automatic transmission version, which is competitive for a twin-turbo bakkie of this size and power output.
Should You Buy It?
The best statement bakkie under R800,000 in South Africa is the Nissan Navara Stealth, but only if you're after something genuinely different from the usual suspects. At around R680,000 to R750,000, it's properly expensive for a Navara, but you're paying for exclusivity and those eye-catching orange accents that'll have you standing out at every robot. The 140kW twin-turbo engine is no joke and the build quality benefits from its Mercedes-Benz X-Class DNA. However, if you're after pure value or maximum resale potential, stick with a Hilux or Ranger. Buy the Stealth if you want the Batman of bakkies and have the budget to match your style ambitions.
