2017 Nissan NP300 Hardbody

Nissan NP300 Hardbody

Nissan’s NP300 Hardbody is about as honest as bakkies get. Forget about plush cabins or fancy infotainment—this is a bakkie that cares about payload, not playlists. It’s gunning directly at the Toyota Hilux workhorse, Isuzu’s base D-Max, and those hardworking old-shape Ford Ranger XLs. Engine choices don’t stray from the basics: 2.0-litre or 2.4-litre petrols, and the 2.5 TDi diesel, all partnered with manual gearboxes. You’ll only find eight used listings right now, priced between R149,900 and R254,500. On paper at least, with a median sticker around R179,925, most examples are entry-level diesels or barebones petrols, not the higher-spec 4x4s. Model years stretch from 2001 to 2019, and the average odometer reading sits at 175,733 km. You’d better factor in a thorough mechanical once-over. The 2.5 TDi Hi-Rider double cab pops up the most around R179,900 to R209,000 and stands out for its combination of ride height and diesel torque at a sensible price. Want a 4x4? That’ll set you back R254,500, and that leap is all about genuine off-road chops. Buyers here aren’t seduced by badge snobbery—they’re after low running costs and simple mechanics, which is exactly what the Hardbody delivers. No new models are coming, so if you want one, used is your only ticket. For many, that’s the point.