Nissan Navara Single Cab vs Ford Ranger 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 Single Cab in South Africa

Nissan Navara Single Cab

2.5D SE Single Cab 4x4 MT Diesel 6-Speed Manual Current
ZAR 592,600 ex-showroom
⚡ 120 kW 🔧 403 Nm ⛽ 13.2 km/l
VS
Ford Ranger Sport in South Africa

Ford Ranger Sport

2.3T EcoBoost Double Cab Sport 10AT 4x2 Petrol 10-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 839,600 ex-showroom
⚡ 222 kW 🔧 452 Nm ⛽ 10.8 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Nissan Navara Single Cab vs Ford Ranger Sport: the short answer

Navara Single Cab and Ranger Sport are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Navara Single Cab starts ZAR 301,500 cheaper Navara Single Cab from ZAR 433,500 · Ranger Sport from ZAR 735,000

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Navara Single Cab Ranger Sport
Maximum Power Navara Single Cab120 kW @ 3600 rpm Ranger Sport222 kW @ 5900 rpm
Maximum Torque Navara Single Cab403 Nm @ 2000 rpm Ranger Sport452 Nm
Engine Size Navara Single Cab2488 cc Ranger Sport2261 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Navara Single Cab13.2 km/l Ranger Sport10.8 km/l
Ground Clearance Navara Single Cab208 mm Ranger Sport237 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 Single Cab

2.5D SE Single Cab 4x4 MT

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

Ford Ranger Sport

2.3T EcoBoost Double Cab Sport 10AT 4x2

Hagalu editorial rating
4.1/5

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)

Navara Single Cab

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Efficiency
Specification evidence leader

Ranger Sport

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

Navara Single Cab

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use

Ranger Sport

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Navara Single Cab Ranger Sport
Model Introduced Year 1997 2022
Generation Current Navara generation focuses on improved comfort and stronger safety credentials Current-generation Ford Ranger
Facelift History Updated in recent years with improved styling, safety upgrades, and suspension refinement Model-year updates can affect trim, wheels, screens, safety equipment and colours. Use the latest South African price list when checking a specific vehicle.
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Single Cab Pickup
Body Type Cab Single/extended/double cab as per derivative name Single/extended/double cab as per derivative name
Color Note White, Silver, Black, Grey, Red, Blue Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering.
Dealer Stock Note Top grade in the South Africa lineup Top grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 2.5D SE Single Cab 4x4 MT Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 2.3T EcoBoost Double Cab Sport 10AT 4x2
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active active
Segment Single-cab bakkie Pickup
Tare Mass Kg 1803 kg 2055 kg
Vehicle Type Single Cab Pickup
Spec Navara Single Cab Ranger Sport
Length 5235 mm 5350 mm
Width 1790 mm 1918 mm
Height 1760 mm 1886 mm
Wheelbase 3150 mm 3270 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 208 mm 237 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 80 l 80 l
Kerb Weight 1803 kg 2055 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 3010 kg 3100 kg
Payload Capacity 1119 kg 1045 kg
Towing Capacity 3500 kg 3500 kg
Seating Capacity 2 seats 5 seats
Doors 2 doors 4 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 6.4 m 12.9 m
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) - 185 mm
Boot/Cargo Space - 474 l
Number of Rows - 2 rows
Front Headroom - 1024 mm
Rear Headroom - 989 mm
Front Legroom - 1057 mm
Rear Legroom - 879 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This Navara Single Cab and Ranger 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 Single Cab 67 vs Ranger Sport 85.

Efficiency index: Navara Single Cab 56 vs Ranger Sport 46.

Safety-equipment index: Navara Single Cab 90 vs Ranger Sport 92.

Practicality index: Navara Single Cab 72 vs Ranger Sport 85.

Ownership-cover index: Navara Single Cab not separately scored vs Ranger 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

Ranger Sport leads by 7 points

Navara Single Cab and Ranger Sport are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 79 /100
Lead 7 points
Data 68% source coverage
79
#1 Evidence leader

Ranger Sport

68% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Safety 92 Check Efficiency 46
Performance 85
Efficiency 46
Safety 92
Practicality 85
Leads by 7 points
72
#2

Navara Single Cab

56% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 90 Check Efficiency 56
Performance 67
Efficiency 56
Safety 90
Practicality 72
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Ranger Sport +18 Efficiency Navara Single Cab +10 Safety Ranger Sport +2 Practicality Ranger Sport +13

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Ranger Sport

Performance 85/100
Efficiency 46/100
Safety 92/100
Practicality 85/100

Navara Single Cab

Performance 67/100
Efficiency 56/100
Safety 90/100
Practicality 72/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Ford Ranger Sport leads the specification evidence index with 79 pts vs 72 pts for Navara Single Cab

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Ranger Sport leads. However, Navara Single Cab 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.

Navara Single Cab
Navara Single Cab
VS
Hilux Double Cab
Hilux Double Cab
Navara Single Cab vs Hilux Double Cab →
Navara Single Cab
Navara Single Cab
VS
Hilux Xtra Cab
Hilux Xtra Cab
Navara Single Cab vs Hilux Xtra Cab →
Navara Single Cab
Navara Single Cab
VS
D-Max Double Cab
D-Max Double Cab
Navara Single Cab vs D-Max Double Cab →
Navara Single Cab
Navara Single Cab
VS
Amarok
Amarok
Navara Single Cab vs Amarok →
Navara Single Cab
Navara Single Cab
VS
Ranger XL
Ranger XL
Navara Single Cab vs Ranger XL →
Navara Single Cab
Navara Single Cab
VS
T9 Double Cab
T9 Double Cab
Navara Single Cab vs T9 Double Cab →
Ranger Sport
Ranger Sport
VS
Hilux Double Cab
Hilux Double Cab
Ranger Sport vs Hilux Double Cab →
Ranger Sport
Ranger Sport
VS
Hilux Xtra Cab
Hilux Xtra Cab
Ranger Sport vs Hilux Xtra Cab →

Navara Single Cab vs Ranger 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.