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High hopes for Nissan’s Navara not quite met
Nissan’s second generation Navara has finally arrived in SA, but was the wait worth it?
The year 2005 was a watershed moment for the Nissan brand locally as it introduced what was seen by many as the most desirable double-cab bakkie on the market, the Navara. At the time, the previous Toyota Hilux had just been launched and the previous generation Isuzu KB had been two years on the market and doing exceptionally well. Volkswagen’s Amarok was still in the development stages. Ford’s Ranger and its then sibling, the Mazda Drifter, were competent offerings but never quite broke the mould. Single-handedly, the previous generation Navara placed the bakkie market firmly on its head. Built in Spain, it brought desirability to the double-cab bakkie segment that was second to none. It was the bakkie of choice among discerning buyers. Apart from its rugged looks it had one of the widest cabins and load bins, not to mention the most powerful four-cylinder turbodiesel engines. These were later complemented by a smooth V6 turbodiesel, making it the first bakkie locally to be offered...
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