Mahindra Karoo Special Edition Dawn vs Nissan Navara Single Cab

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.

Mahindra Karoo Special Edition Dawn in South Africa

Mahindra Karoo Special Edition Dawn

Karoo Special Edition Dawn Diesel Current
ZAR 672,699 ex-showroom
⚡ 103 kW 🔧 320 Nm ⛽ 10.8 km/l
VS
Nissan Navara Single Cab in South Africa

Nissan Navara Single Cab

2.5D SE Single Cab 4x4 MT Diesel Current
ZAR 592,600 ex-showroom
⚡ 120 kW 🔧 403 Nm ⛽ 13.2 km/l
Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

Performance Not enough comparable data
Fuel Economy Not enough comparable data
🛡 Safety Not enough comparable data
📦 Practicality Not enough comparable data
🔑 Ownership Not enough comparable data
Navara Single Cab starts ZAR 239,199 cheaper Karoo Special Edition Dawn from ZAR 672,699 · Navara Single Cab from ZAR 433,500

Key Specs Side by Side

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

Spec Karoo Special Edition Dawn Navara Single Cab
Maximum Power 103 kW @ 3750 rpm 120 kW @ 3600 rpm
Maximum Torque 320 Nm 403 Nm @ 2000 rpm
Engine Size 2179 cc 2488 cc
Combined Fuel Economy 10.8 km/l 13.2 km/l
Ground Clearance 210 mm 208 mm
Boot / Load Bay - -
Airbags Driver and passenger airbags Driver and front passenger airbags, side, curtain and driver knee airbags
Kerb Weight - 1803 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 2 seats
Warranty 4 years / 120 000 km 6 years / 150,000 km

= leads in this spec

The Bottom Line

The verified specification tables are ready to compare, but Hagalu has withheld a ranked verdict because the selected vehicles do not yet meet the minimum like-for-like source-coverage threshold.

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Karoo Special Edition Dawn Navara Single Cab
Model Introduced Year Not Available 1997
Generation Current local listing Current Navara generation focuses on improved comfort and stronger safety credentials
Facelift History Not listed by current South African source page. 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 Pickup Single Cab
Model Year Current 2026
Production Status Active Active
Segment Pickup Single-cab bakkie
Tare Mass Kg 2055-2155 kg 1803 kg
Vehicle Type Pickup Single Cab
Body Type Cab - Single/extended/double cab as per derivative name
Color Note - White, Silver, Black, Grey, Red, Blue
Dealer Stock Note - Top grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note - Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 2.5D SE Single Cab 4x4 MT
Spec Karoo Special Edition Dawn Navara Single Cab
Ground Clearance (Default) 210 mm 208 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 80 l 80 l
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 3150 kg 3010 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 2 seats
Length - 5235 mm
Width - 1790 mm
Height - 1760 mm
Wheelbase - 3150 mm
Kerb Weight - 1803 kg
Payload Capacity - 1119 kg
Towing Capacity - 3500 kg
Doors - 2 doors
Minimum Turning Radius - 6.4 m

Catalogue Score Withheld

Hagalu does not turn missing specifications into neutral scores or guessed values.

Fail closed

Score withheld: fewer than four comparable categories or less than 50% weighted source coverage for at least one vehicle.

Use the verified key-spec and full-spec tables on this page. A ranked index will appear only after every selected vehicle has source-backed data in at least four categories and reaches 50% weighted coverage.

How to Read This Comparison

No overall winner is declared because the selected vehicles do not yet meet Hagalu's minimum like-for-like source-coverage threshold. Compare the confirmed rows and verify the exact derivative before buying.

Buyers Also Looked At These

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

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

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 Karoo Special Edition Dawn and Navara Single Cab comparison keeps the exact South African derivatives, lifecycle states, available prices and verified specifications side by side.

Hagalu has withheld an overall score because at least one selected vehicle does not yet have four comparable categories and 50% weighted source coverage. Missing catalogue evidence is not replaced with a neutral score or a guessed value.

Use the key-spec and full-spec tables to compare the fields that are confirmed. For a purchase decision, verify current availability, exact derivative equipment, finance, insurance and ownership cover with the relevant manufacturer or authorised retailer.