Nissan Navara Single Cab vs Mahindra XUV3XO

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
Mahindra XUV3XO in South Africa

Mahindra XUV3XO

1.2 AX5L AT Petrol 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 374,999 ex-showroom
⚡ 82 kW 🔧 200 Nm ⛽ 18 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Nissan Navara Single Cab vs Mahindra XUV3XO: the short answer

Navara Single Cab has a modest catalogue-index lead, while XUV3XO remains close.

XUV3XO starts ZAR 173,501 cheaper Navara Single Cab from ZAR 433,500 · XUV3XO from ZAR 259,999

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Navara Single Cab XUV3XO
Maximum Power Navara Single Cab120 kW @ 3600 rpm XUV3XO82 kW @ 5000 rpm
Maximum Torque Navara Single Cab403 Nm @ 2000 rpm XUV3XO200 Nm
Engine Size Navara Single Cab2488 cc XUV3XO1197 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Navara Single Cab13.2 km/l XUV3XO18 km/l
Ground Clearance Navara Single Cab208 mm XUV3XO201 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

Mahindra XUV3XO

1.2 AX5L 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

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 Single Cab

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

XUV3XO

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

Which One's Right for You?

Navara Single Cab

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

XUV3XO

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Navara Single Cab XUV3XO
Model Introduced Year 1997 Not Available
Generation Current Navara generation focuses on improved comfort and stronger safety credentials Current local listing
Facelift History Updated in recent years with improved styling, safety upgrades, and suspension refinement Not listed by current South African source page.
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Single Cab SUV
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 -
Model Year 2026 Current
Production Status Active Active
Segment Single-cab bakkie SUV
Tare Mass Kg 1803 kg 1362 kg
Vehicle Type Single Cab SUV
Spec Navara Single Cab XUV3XO
Length 5235 mm 3990 mm
Width 1790 mm 1821 mm
Height 1760 mm 1647 mm
Wheelbase 3150 mm 2600 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 208 mm 201 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 80 l 42 l
Kerb Weight 1803 kg 1362 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 3010 kg -
Payload Capacity 1119 kg -
Towing Capacity 3500 kg -
Seating Capacity 2 seats 5 seats
Doors 2 doors -
Minimum Turning Radius 6.4 m 5.3 m
Boot/Cargo Space - 364 l

In depth: how these cars differ

This Navara Single Cab and XUV3XO 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 XUV3XO 40.

Efficiency index: Navara Single Cab 56 vs XUV3XO 69.

Safety-equipment index: Navara Single Cab 90 vs XUV3XO 84.

Practicality index: Navara Single Cab 72 vs XUV3XO 66.

Ownership-cover index: Navara Single Cab not separately scored vs XUV3XO 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 Single Cab leads by 8 points

Navara Single Cab has a modest catalogue-index lead, while XUV3XO remains close.

Evidence leader 72 /100
Lead 8 points
Data 56% source coverage
72
#1 Evidence leader

Navara Single Cab

56% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 90 Check Efficiency 56
Performance 67
Efficiency 56
Safety 90
Practicality 72
Leads by 8 points
64
#2

XUV3XO

62% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 84 Check Performance 40
Performance 40
Efficiency 69
Safety 84
Practicality 66
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Navara Single Cab +27 Efficiency XUV3XO +13 Safety Navara Single Cab +6 Practicality Navara Single Cab +6

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Navara Single Cab

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

XUV3XO

Performance 40/100
Efficiency 69/100
Safety 84/100
Practicality 66/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Nissan Navara Single Cab leads the specification evidence index with 72 pts vs 64 pts for XUV3XO

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Navara Single Cab leads. However, XUV3XO may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Navara Single Cab vs XUV3XO 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.