A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance,
petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.
Navara Single Cab starts ZAR 140,510 cheaperD-Max Double Cab from ZAR 574,010 · Navara Single Cab from ZAR 433,500
Key Specs Side by Side
The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.
Spec
D-Max Double Cab
Navara Single Cab
Maximum Power
110 kW @ 3600 rpm
120 kW @ 3600 rpm
Maximum Torque
350 Nm
403 Nm @ 2000 rpm
Engine Size
3000 cc
2488 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
12.3 km/l
13.2 km/l
Ground Clearance
232 mm
208 mm
Boot / Load Bay
-
-
Airbags
2
Driver and front passenger airbags, side, curtain and driver knee airbags
Kerb Weight
2070 kg
1803 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
2 seats
Warranty
5 years / 120 000 km
6 years / 150,000 km
= leads in this spec
The Bottom Line
Navara Single Cab has a modest catalogue-index lead, while D-Max Double Cab remains close.
Where They Actually Differ
Performance
Navara Single Cab
+5 pts
Efficiency
Navara Single Cab
+7 pts
Safety
Navara Single Cab
+46 pts
Practicality
D-Max Double Cab
+13 pts
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
D-Max Double Cab
Strengths
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published Practicality
Catalogue-index leader
Navara Single Cab
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
D-Max Double Cab
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Navara Single Cab
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Full Specs, Side by Side
Spec
D-Max Double Cab
Navara Single Cab
Model Introduced Year
Current local generation year not confirmed
1997
Generation
Current South African D-Max Double Cab listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data.
Current Navara generation focuses on improved comfort and stronger safety credentials
Facelift History
Model-year updates can affect trim, wheels, screens, safety equipment and colours. Use the latest South African price list when checking a specific vehicle.
Updated in recent years with improved styling, safety upgrades, and suspension refinement
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Double Cab pickup
Single Cab
Body Type Cab
Single/extended/double cab as per derivative name
Single/extended/double cab as per derivative name
Color Note
Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering.
White, Silver, Black, Grey, Red, Blue
Dealer Stock Note
Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Top grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note
Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 3.0 DDi Double Cab 4x4 LSE AT
Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 2.5D SE Single Cab 4x4 MT
Driver and front passenger airbags, side, curtain and driver knee airbags
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Not Available
Standard
Traction Control
Not Available
Vehicle Dynamic Control
Hill Descent Control
Confirmed 4WD derivative
Standard
Hill Start Assist
Not Available
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Not Available
Not Available
ISOFIX Mounts
Not Available
Not Available
Brake Assist
Not Available
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Not Available
Engine Immobiliser
Not Available
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Not Available
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Standard
Not Available
AEB
Not Available
Not Available
BA
Not Available
Standard
Brake Override System
Not Available
Not Available
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Standard
Driver Airbag
Not Available
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Not Available
Standard
Hill Hold
Not Available
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Not Available
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Not Available
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Not Available
Standard
Side Airbags
Not Available
Standard
Stability Control
Not Available
Standard
TCS
Not Available
Vehicle Dynamic Control
Blind Spot Monitoring
Standard
-
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Driver knee airbag
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Alarm System
-
Standard
Central Locking
-
Standard
Fatigue Detection
-
Not Available
Anti Theft Alarm
-
Standard
Driver Front Passenger Airbags
-
Standard
Driver Passenger Airbags
-
Standard
ESC With Traction Control
-
Not Available
Spec
D-Max Double Cab
Navara Single Cab
Cruise Control
Standard
Not Available
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Not Available
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Not Available
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Standard
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Front & Rear
Not Available
Rear View Camera
Standard
Not Available
360 Degree Camera
Not Available
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Available
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Available
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Not Available
Not Available
Auto Lights
LED
-
Auto Wipers
Not Available
Not Available
EV Mode
Not Available
Not Available
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Not Available
Reverse Camera
Standard
Not Available
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Not Available
Park Assist
Not Available
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Not Available
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Standard
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
Not Available
Not Available
Front Camera
Standard
-
Multi Collision Braking
Standard
-
Parking Distance Sensors
Front & Rear
Not Available
Parking Sensor
Front & Rear
Not Available
Emergency Braking
-
Not Available
Rear View Camera
-
Not Available
Reverse Camera Type
-
Not Available
Reversing Camera
-
Not Available
Spec
D-Max Double Cab
Navara Single Cab
Seat Material
Partial Leather
Fabric
Heated Seats
Not Applicable
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
Not Applicable
Not Available
Steering Type
Hydraulic
Rack & Pinion Power Assisted
Ambient Lighting
Not Applicable
Not Available
Front Armrest
Centre console
-
Front Shoulder Room
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Rear Shoulder Room
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Not Applicable
Interior Colour Options
3
6
60 40 Split Seat
Not Applicable
Not Available
Driver Seat Adjustment
Not Applicable
Height adjustable driver seat
Fabric Seats
Partial Leather
-
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Not Applicable
Separate front passenger seat
Heated Front Seats
Standard
-
Interior Courtesy Lamps
Cabin trim, seating material, screen layout and driver-assistance equipment vary by derivative. Compare the chosen D-Max Double Cab grade before assuming a feature is included.
Cabin trim, seating material, screen layout and driver-assistance equipment vary by derivative. Compare the chosen Navara Single Cab grade before assuming a feature is included.
Leather Accented Seat Trim
Partial Leather
-
Interior Colours
3
6
Seat Trim
Partial Leather
Fabric
Seat Adjustment
-
6-way manual
Rear Armrest
-
Not Available
Rear AC Vents
-
Not Available
Instrument Cluster Type
-
-
Adjustable Driver Seat
-
6-way manual
Driver Seat
-
6-way manual
Spec
D-Max Double Cab
Navara Single Cab
Infotainment System
SYNC
7-inch touchscreen with CD, AM/FM, RDS and Bluetooth
Performance
Navara Single Cab +5
Efficiency
Navara Single Cab +7
Safety
Navara Single Cab +46
Practicality
D-Max Double Cab +13
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Catalogue-index leader
Navara Single Cab
Performance
67/100
Efficiency
56/100
Safety
90/100
Practicality
72/100
D-Max Double Cab
Performance
62/100
Efficiency
49/100
Safety
44/100
Practicality
85/100
How to Read This Comparison
🏆Nissan Navara Single Cab
leads the catalogue index with 72 pts
vs 61 pts for D-Max Double Cab
In Hagalu's source-backed catalogue index, Navara Single Cab leads. However, D-Max Double Cab may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Other Comparisons Worth Checking
See how similar cars go head-to-head — you might find a better fit than you expected.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
Hagalu does not publish a guaranteed resale winner. Depreciation depends on age, mileage, condition, derivative, colour, supply and demand. Compare several current used-market listings and obtain trade-in valuations for equivalent examples before relying on a resale estimate.
Check the exact derivatives for drive type, ground clearance, tyres, approach and departure angles, wading depth and low-range gearing where officially disclosed. SUV styling or all-wheel drive alone does not prove that a vehicle is suitable for demanding off-road use.
Calculate each exact derivative using your monthly distance and a current fuel or electricity price, then add finance, insurance, scheduled service, tyres and licence costs. Hagalu does not claim a fixed monthly saving without those buyer-specific inputs.
It is worth more only when the exact price difference buys equipment, space, performance or ownership cover that matters to you. Compare like-for-like lifecycle states and derivatives; a current offer and a historical last-listed price are not directly equivalent.
In Depth — Breaking It All Down
This D-Max Double Cab and Navara Single Cab comparison uses the exact South African derivatives selected above. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: D-Max Double Cab 62 vs Navara Single Cab 67.
Efficiency index: D-Max Double Cab 49 vs Navara Single Cab 56.
Safety-equipment index: D-Max Double Cab 44 vs Navara Single Cab 90.
Practicality index: D-Max Double Cab 85 vs Navara Single Cab 72.
Ownership-cover index: D-Max Double Cab not separately scored vs Navara Single Cab not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
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