Toyota Hilux vs Nissan NP200

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.

Toyota Hilux in South Africa

Toyota Hilux

2.8 GD-6 4X4 Legend RS Double Cab 6AT Diesel Automatic
ZAR 917,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 165 kW 🔧 550 Nm ⛽ 11.5 km/l
VS
Nissan NP200 in South Africa

Nissan NP200

1.6 Safety Pack Manual Petrol Manual
ZAR 284,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 65 kW 🔧 147 Nm ⛽ 12.5 km/l
Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

Performance Hilux
Fuel Economy NP200
🛡 Safety Hilux
📦 Practicality Hilux
🔑 Ownership Tie
NP200 starts ZAR 326200 cheaper Hilux from ZAR 326,200 · NP200 from ZAR 224,900

Key Specs Side by Side

The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.

Spec Hilux NP200
Engine Power 165 65
Torque 550 147
Engine Size 2755 1598
Claimed Mileage 11.5 12.5
Ground Clearance 286 185
Boot Space 0 Not Applicable
Airbags 7 4
Kerb Weight 2120 915
Seating Capacity Available Available
Warranty 3 3

= leads in this spec

The Overall Score — Here's How They Stack Up

🏆 Winner
#1

Hilux

67
/ 100
+22
pts
#2

NP200

45
/ 100

Moderate difference between the models.

The Bottom Line

Hilux holds a noticeable edge over NP200, especially in key ownership areas.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance Hilux +12 pts
Efficiency NP200 +2 pts
Safety Hilux +8 pts
Practicality Hilux +4 pts
Ownership Equal

Score Breakdown by Category

🏆 Overall Winner

Hilux

Performance 18/20
Efficiency 6/20
Safety 20/20
Practicality 11/20
Ownership 12/20

NP200

Performance 6/20
Efficiency 8/20
Safety 12/20
Practicality 7/20
Ownership 12/20

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

🏆 Overall Winner

Hilux

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger safety package
  • More practical for daily use
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to: Highway Driving Family Usage

NP200

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Less comprehensive safety features
  • Less practical in daily usage
Best suited to: Fuel Efficiency

Which One's Right for You?

Hilux

  • Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
  • Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
  • Large families needing more practicality and usability

NP200

  • Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Hilux NP200
Ground Clearance 286 185
Wheelbase 3085 2400
Length 5325 4535
Width 1900 1615
Height 1865 1530
Kerb Weight 2120 915
Gross Vehicle Weight 3150 1570
Seating Capacity 5 2
Boot Space 0 Not Applicable
Towing Capacity 3500 500
Number of Doors 5 5
Boot Space Seats Folded 1500 1500
Front Track Width 1550 1390
Rear Track Width 1540 1385
Turning Radius Available 5.5
Load Bed Length Available 1815
Load Bed Width Available 1530
Front Legroom Available Available
Rear Legroom Available Available
Front Headroom Available Available
Rear Headroom Available Available
Front Shoulder Room Available Available
Rear Shoulder Room Available Available
Max Payload Available Available
Boot Volume Available Available
Doors Available Available
Seats Available Available
Front Overhang Available Available
Fuel Tank Capacity Available Available
Rear Overhang Available Available
Spec Hilux NP200
Engine 2.8L GD Turbo Diesel High Output 1.6L Naturally Aspirated Petrol
Engine Type Inline 4 Turbocharged Intercooled Inline 4 Cylinder
Displacement 2755 1598
Cylinders 4 4
Valves per Cylinder 4 4
Power 165 65
Torque 550 147
Fuel System Common Rail Direct Injection Multi-Point Injection
Top Speed 185 155
0-100 km/h 9.8 14.5
Cylinder Layout Inline 4 (I4) Inline 4 (I4)
Engine Aspiration Turbocharged Turbocharged
Engine Code Standard Standard
Compression Ratio 10.5:1 9.5:1
Cylinder Bore 82.0 82.0
Piston Stroke 92.0 92.0
Fuel Grade Required Petrol Petrol
Turbocharger Turbo Not Available
Power @ RPM 150 5200 rpm
Torque @ RPM 400 2800 rpm
Engine Position Available Front Longitudinal
Engine Oil Capacity Available Available
Power 150 150
Variable Valve Timing Available Available
Maximum Engine RPM Available Available
Engine Type Config Available Available
0–100 km/h Available Available
Battery Capacity Available Available
Charging Port Available Available
AC Charging Time Available Available
Engine Displacement Available Available
EV Range Available Available

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 Toyota Hilux wins with 67 pts vs 45 pts for NP200

In structured scoring, Hilux emerges as the stronger overall package. However, NP200 may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Buyers Also Looked At These

Other comparisons that people in the same boat tend to check out.

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

On our scoring the Hilux edges ahead overall. That said, the right choice depends on what you actually use the car for — the breakdown above shows exactly where each one wins and loses.

Efficiency scores: Hilux 6 vs NP200 8. In the real world, diesel variants of either car will beat the claimed figure on long highways and fall short in Joburg traffic.

Safety scores: Hilux 20, NP200 12. Check each model page for NCAP ratings and which trim levels include AEB and blind-spot monitoring — those features aren't always standard.

Long-term ownership scores: Hilux 12, NP200 12. Service intervals, parts availability in SA, and whether a service plan is bundled all factor in — check the individual variant specs for that detail.

Practicality scores: Hilux 11, NP200 7. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: Hilux 18, NP200 6. This looks at real-world pace — 0–100 kph, highway flexibility, and how either car feels when you actually need to overtake on an N-road.

Resale varies with colour, spec, and market timing, but Japanese brands — and Toyota specifically — have a strong track record in SA. Check current used prices for both on AutoTrader to see the real gap right now.

Ground clearance and 4WD availability are what matter most here. Scroll to the spec table above to compare both side by side — if either model offers a 4WD variant, that's the version worth comparing.

Fuel, insurance, and service costs are the big three. Diesel variants of both models typically save R800–R1,500/month in fuel at current SA pump prices. The Hilux edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.

The Hilux scores better overall, but neither car is a bad buy here. It comes down to what features matter to you — check the full spec table above to see exactly what you gain and lose at each price point.

In Depth — Breaking It All Down

The comparison between Hilux and NP200 in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: Hilux scores 18 vs 6.

Efficiency: Hilux scores 6 vs 8.

Safety: Hilux scores 20 vs 12.

Practicality: Hilux scores 11 vs 7.

Ownership: Hilux scores 12 vs 12.

Final structured scoring gives Hilux the advantage in this comparison.