Nissan Navara: New Entry-Level Models Now Available

Nissan South Africa is expanding its popular Navara range with two new, extra-affordable double cab models: the XE.

These newcomers join the existing Navara family, offering all the toughness, performance, and comfort you expect from a Nissan bakkie, but at a price that won’t break the bank.

More Navara for More South Africans

“When we launched the current South African-built Navara in 2021,” says Maciej Klenkiewicz, Nissan South Africa’s big boss, “everyone loved how it combined the practicality of a workhorse with the smooth ride of an SUV. Now, with this new entry-level spec, we’re making the Navara’s awesome performance and driveability even more accessible to South Africans.”

Nissan hasn’t skimped on the engine. The entire Navara range, including the XE, boasts the same trusty 2.5-litre turbodiesel mill. This engine features common-rail direct injection and a smart variable turbo, ensuring strong pulling power throughout the rev range, while still offering excellent performance at highway speeds.

In the XE models, this engine gets detuned to a sweet spot of 120 kW and 403 Nm of torque, perfect for everyday driving. For reference, higher-spec Navara’s pack a punchier 140 kW and 450 Nm.

The Navara XE pairs this engine with a trusty six-speed manual gearbox. You also get the choice between a fuel-efficient 4×2 rear-wheel drive or a go-anywhere 4×4 drivetrain. The 4×4 features an electronic system that lets you switch between 2WD, 4WD High (ideal for gravel or slippery roads), and 4WD Low (for conquering tough off-road terrain) all from the comfort of the cabin.

Even though they’re the most budget-friendly Navara, the XE double cabs don’t compromise on features. You get central locking with auto-locking, air conditioning, and two airbags as standard. Plus, all XE models have ISOFIX child seat anchors in the back, making them family-friendly.

The list of creature comforts goes on: electric windows and mirrors, a sliding rear window for easy access to the load bay, and a radio with Bluetooth connectivity and steering wheel controls.

On the safety front, all Navara models come with advanced Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) to keep you stable, along with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Trailer Sway Control (TSC) for confident towing in any conditions.

One key difference in the XE models is the use of leaf spring rear suspension instead of the coil springs found in other Navara double cabs. This makes the XE ideal for handling heavy loads and tough conditions, offering a best-in-class load capacity of 1,148 kg on the 4×2 model and 1,067 kg on the 4×4.

“While our coil-sprung Navara Double Cabs are tested for the harshest conditions found in rural areas and neighbouring countries,” says Klenkiewicz, “we saw a need for a leaf-sprung version that could handle certain commercial applications.”

With the addition of the XE models, Nissan boasts one of the most comprehensive bakkie ranges in South Africa. Customers you have 14 derivatives to choose from, starting with the value-packed XE, moving up to the LE models with standard roof rails, and all the way to the top-of-the-line Pro-2X and Pro-4X models with all the bells and whistles, including Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility suite (think features like Forward Collision Warning and Blind Spot Monitoring).

Elsewhere, all new Navara models now sport the brand new Nissan badge, a sleek and modern take on the iconic emblem. It symbolizes Nissan’s commitment to innovation and a fresh approach to the future.

The all-new Navara range, including the new XE models, will be proudly manufactured at Nissan’s state-of-the-art Rosslyn plant in Gauteng, for over 45 markets across Africa. This includes left-hand drive markets.

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Papi Mabele

Papi Mabele has a marketing background, he is a digital marketing expert with extensive experience in launching and building global brands in the emerging markets. Papi is also an avid tech writer, enthusiast and all round tech junkie. As a freelance writer and analyst he has been numerously published in Popular Mechanics (SA), GQ South Africa, Premier Magazine, Driven Magazine, Bloem News, Courant, The Weekly, Enthooze Magazine and PiE magazine amongst others.