Nissan Navara Double Cab vs Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

Nissan Navara Double Cab in South Africa

Nissan Navara Double Cab

2.5D LE Plus Double Cab 4x4 AT Diesel Current
ZAR 785,700 ex-showroom
⚡ 140 kW 🔧 450 Nm ⛽ 13.9 km/l
VS
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport in South Africa

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

2.4L DI-DC 8-speed A/T 4X4 Exceed Diesel 8-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 904,990 ex-showroom
⚡ 133 kW 🔧 430 Nm ⛽ 12.3 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Nissan Navara Double Cab vs Mitsubishi Pajero Sport: the short answer

Navara Double Cab holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Pajero Sport.

Navara Double Cab starts ZAR 296,990 cheaper Navara Double Cab from ZAR 493,000 · Pajero Sport from ZAR 789,990

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Navara Double Cab Pajero Sport
Maximum Power Navara Double Cab140 kW @ 3600 rpm Pajero Sport133 kW @ 3500 rpm
Maximum Torque Navara Double Cab450 Nm @ 2000 rpm Pajero Sport430 Nm @ 2500 rpm
Engine Size Navara Double Cab2488 cc Pajero Sport2442 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Navara Double Cab13.9 km/l Pajero Sport12.3 km/l
Ground Clearance Navara Double Cab221 mm Pajero Sport218 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

Independent editorial assessment

Hagalu editorial ratings

When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.

Nissan Navara Double Cab

2.5D LE Plus Double Cab 4x4 AT

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

2.4L DI-DC 8-speed A/T 4X4 Exceed

Hagalu editorial rating
4.3/5

Desk research · Exact variant

Hagalu Editorial Team ·

Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.

Read the review and score breakdown

Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

Navara Double Cab

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • No obvious weak spots to flag.
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Efficiency Published Practicality

Pajero Sport

Strengths
  • Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: General Use

Which One's Right for You?

Navara Double 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
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Pajero Sport

  • Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Navara Double Cab Pajero Sport
Model Introduced Year 1997 2017
Generation Current Navara generation focuses on improved comfort and stronger safety credentials Third-generation Pajero Sport, 2025 facelift
Facelift History Updated in recent years with improved styling, safety upgrades, and suspension refinement South African facelift launched in May 2025.
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version Current specification
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Double Cab SUV
Body Type Cab Single/extended/double cab as per derivative name -
Color Note White, Silver, Black, Grey, Red, Blue -
Dealer Stock Note Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup -
Drivetrain Note Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 2.5D LE Plus Double Cab 4x4 AT -
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active active
Segment Double-cab bakkie Seven-seat ladder-frame SUV
Tare Mass Kg 2023 kg -
Vehicle Type Double Cab Passenger vehicle
Spec Navara Double Cab Pajero Sport
Length 5260 mm 4825 mm
Width 1850 mm 1815 mm
Height 1815 mm 1805 mm
Wheelbase 3150 mm 2800 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 221 mm 218 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 80 l 68 l
Boot/Cargo Space 1161 l 193 l
Kerb Weight 2023 kg 2080 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 3115 kg 2775 kg
Payload Capacity 1003 kg 695 kg
Towing Capacity 3500 kg 2850 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 7 seats
Doors 4 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 6.7 m 5.6 m
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) - 190 mm
Number of Rows - 3 rows
Front Headroom - 1022 mm
Rear Headroom - 957 mm
Front Legroom - 1067 mm
Rear Legroom - 880 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This Navara Double Cab and Pajero Sport comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: Navara Double Cab 75 vs Pajero Sport 65.

Efficiency index: Navara Double Cab 58 vs Pajero Sport 49.

Safety-equipment index: Navara Double Cab 93 vs Pajero Sport 72.

Practicality index: Navara Double Cab 90 vs Pajero Sport 71.

Ownership-cover index: Navara Double Cab not separately scored vs Pajero Sport 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.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

Navara Double Cab leads by 15 points

Navara Double Cab holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Pajero Sport.

Evidence leader 80 /100
Lead 15 points
Data 65% source coverage
80
#1 Evidence leader

Navara Double Cab

65% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Safety 93 Check Efficiency 58
Performance 75
Efficiency 58
Safety 93
Practicality 90
Leads by 15 points
65
#2

Pajero Sport

83% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 72 Check Efficiency 49
Performance 65
Efficiency 49
Safety 72
Practicality 71
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Navara Double Cab +10 Efficiency Navara Double Cab +9 Safety Navara Double Cab +21 Practicality Navara Double Cab +19

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Navara Double Cab

Performance 75/100
Efficiency 58/100
Safety 93/100
Practicality 90/100

Pajero Sport

Performance 65/100
Efficiency 49/100
Safety 72/100
Practicality 71/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Nissan Navara Double Cab leads the specification evidence index with 80 pts vs 65 pts for Pajero Sport

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Navara Double Cab leads. However, Pajero Sport may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Related comparisons

Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.

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Pajero Sport vs 03T →

Navara Double Cab vs Pajero Sport questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa 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.