Renowned for its simplicity and durability, the NP300 is one of Nissan's best-performing models in South Africa. Designed to last in a work environment, the NP300 has built a solid reputation as a hardy workhorse and status symbol. This is a stylish vehicle for those who value performance and luxury.
With Nissan increasing local production, it's clear the automaker is confident about building on the model's success.
Does the NP300 truly have what it takes to compete with its rivals in the bakkie segment? Let's learn more about this resilient vehicle to find out.
The first Nissan NP300 was launched in 1997 within the Nissan D22 generation. It was a smaller and cheaper alternative to the larger D40 trucks. In South Africa, the Nissan NP300 (also known as the Navara or Hardbody) was followed up with a facelifted version in 2000.
Nissan then launched the Frontier in 2004, essentially the second-generation NP300/Navara/Hardbody model. Featuring a complete redesign, this new version was aimed at a modern consumer market that wanted more luxury with their working vehicles.
The third-generation NP300 was launched in 2014 and is the model still in production today. Featuring another redesign, it remains as popular as the first and second-generation models were. In fact, various other manufacturers have used the NP300 platform to build their own cars, such as the Mercedes-Benz X-Class and the Renault Alaskan, which is not yet available in South Africa.
Today, Nissan produces two separate versions of the NP300: the Hardbody (the previous generation model) and the latest Navara, aimed at people wanting more than a powerful workhorse.
Designed to handle the tough African terrain and built in South Africa, the NP300 Hardbody comes in a comprehensive range that ensures the vehicle is the right tool for any trade, including single-cab workhorses and double-cab family-focused models.
The single-cab and double-cab models are available in 2WD and 4WD with an array of added features such as roof carriers, side steps, halogen lamps, alloy wheels, and roll bars. Creature comforts include remote keyless entry, air conditioning, and electric windows.
On the safety front, Nissan added anti-lock braking systems (ABS), dual-front airbags, and an engine immobiliser.
The NP300 Hardbody base model is available with a 2.0 L petrol engine producing 84KW and 169Nm of torque, and delivers a combined fuel cycle of 10 L/100 km and emits 237 g/km of CO2.
You can purchase Nissan's NP300 at any Nissan dealership in South Africa. Find one near you at nissan.co.za using their dealership locator tool.
Nissan offers an in-house financing solution in partnership with WesBank. You can get a quote and quick credit approval with their online service.
The base Nissan NP300 2.0 petrol 2WD single-cab retails from R208,500 and the base NP300 DC retails from R318,400. If you'd prefer to first test it to see just how well it performs, you can hire a Nissan NP300 at many reputable car rental service providers across the country.
The Nissan NP300 base model comes standard with a warranty that is valid for six years/150,000 km. You can take out a service plan for an extra fee, which is definitely worth considering because Nissan commits to using only genuine parts at all of their service centres.
Nissan offers their own Nissan Insurance packages, available online or through your nearest Nissan dealership.
When searching for Nissan NP300 car insurance quotes, it's worth noting that Nissan operates locally, which means good after-service support and parts availability. This means it can be more affordable to service and repair your Nissan NP300.
According to the Ctrack vehicle risk report, Nissan ranks highest in the commercial vehicle risk category for theft, so you'll need to factor this into any car insurance quote you get.
To ensure you get the best deal on your vehicle cover, compare multiple Nissan NP300 car insurance quotes using the hippo.co.za car insurance comparison tool today.
Information provided for informational purposes. Prices quoted correct at the time of publishing this article.
