Mahindra Karoo Special Edition Dawn vs Nissan NP300 Hardbody

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.

Includes a historical vehicle

Current, upcoming and historical vehicles can be compared side by side. Historical records keep their verified specifications, while price labels show last-listed context rather than current new-car availability.

Nissan NP300 Hardbody Discontinued model
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 NP300 Hardbody in South Africa

Nissan NP300 Hardbody

2.5 TDi Double Cab Hi-Rider 4x4 Automatic Diesel 7-Speed Automatic Discontinued model
ZAR 529,900 last listed
Discontinued model Verified historical specifications remain visible for owner and used-car comparisons.
⚡ 98 kW 🔧 304 Nm ⛽ 11.4 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
Recorded price context Karoo Special Edition Dawn: current from ZAR 672,699 · NP300 Hardbody: last listed from ZAR 349,900

Key Specs Side by Side

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

Spec Karoo Special Edition Dawn NP300 Hardbody
Maximum Power 103 kW @ 3750 rpm 98 kW @ 3600 rpm
Maximum Torque 320 Nm 304 Nm
Engine Size 2179 cc 2488 cc
Combined Fuel Economy 10.8 km/l 11.4 km/l
Ground Clearance 210 mm 215 mm
Boot / Load Bay - Not confirmed
Airbags Driver and passenger airbags 4
Kerb Weight - 1395 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Warranty 4 years / 120 000 km 3

= leads in this spec

Archived vehicles remain available for comparison. Verified specs stay visible; historical fields that were not source-confirmed are marked Not confirmed instead of being guessed.

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

Archived cars use verified historical spec records. Rows remain comparable; unavailable historical values are shown plainly rather than estimated.

Spec Karoo Special Edition Dawn NP300 Hardbody
Model Introduced Year Not Available 2008
Generation Current local listing Long-running model with proven commercial reliability
Facelift History Not listed by current South African source page. Updated over the years with improved safety and features
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version Not confirmed
Facelift Version Ending Current Not confirmed
Body Style Pickup Not confirmed
Model Year Current Not confirmed
Production Status Active Not confirmed
Segment Pickup Not confirmed
Tare Mass Kg 2055-2155 kg 1395 kg
Vehicle Type Pickup Not confirmed
Spec Karoo Special Edition Dawn NP300 Hardbody
Ground Clearance (Default) 210 mm 215 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 80 l 75 l
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 3150 kg 2400 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Length - 4875 mm
Width - 1760 mm
Height - 1655 mm
Wheelbase - 2500 mm
Kerb Weight - 1395 kg
Towing Capacity - 2500 kg
Minimum Turning Radius - 5.8 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 NP300 Hardbody 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.