Nissan NP300 Hardbody vs Nissan Patrol

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.

Nissan NP300 Hardbody

2.5 TDi Double Cab Hi-Rider 4x4 Automatic Diesel Automatic

Swap Car A

ZAR 529,900 ex-showroom

⚡ 98 kW (131 hp)

🔧 304 Nm

⛽ 11.4 km/l

Nissan Patrol

5.6 V8 Platinum 4x4 7AT Petrol Automatic

Swap Car B

ZAR 1,949,900 ex-showroom

⚡ 227 kW (304 hp)

🔧 700 Nm

⛽ 9.4 km/l

＋

Want to throw in a 3rd car?

Pick a car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

⚡ Performance Patrol

⛽ Petrol Economy NP300 Hardbody

🔑 Ownership Cost Tie

The Overall Score — Here's How They Stack Up

🏆 Winner

Patrol

/ 100

+21

pts

NP300 Hardbody

/ 100

Moderate difference between the models.

The Bottom Line

Patrol holds a noticeable edge over NP300 Hardbody, especially in key ownership areas.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance Patrol +10 pts

Efficiency NP300 Hardbody +2 pts

Safety Patrol +8 pts

Practicality Patrol +5 pts

Ownership Equal

Score Breakdown by Category

🏆 Overall Winner

Patrol

Performance 20/20

Efficiency 5/20

Safety 20/20

Practicality 13/20

Ownership 12/20

NP300 Hardbody

Performance 10/20

Efficiency 7/20

Safety 12/20

Practicality 8/20

Ownership 12/20

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

NP300 Hardbody

Strengths

Better fuel efficiency

Weak Spots

Less powerful engine setup
Less comprehensive safety features
Less practical in daily usage

Best suited to: Fuel Efficiency

🏆 Overall Winner

Patrol

Strengths

More powerful engine output
Stronger safety package
More practical for daily use

Weak Spots

Lower fuel efficiency

Best suited to: Highway Driving Family Usage

Which One's Right for You?

NP300 Hardbody

Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency

Patrol

Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
Large families needing more practicality and usability

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec	NP300 Hardbody	Patrol
Ground Clearance	215	235
Wheelbase	2500	2850
Length	4875	4985
Width	1760	1980
Height	1655	1910
Kerb Weight	1395	2430
Gross Vehicle Weight	2400	3300
Seating Capacity	5	7
Boot Space	Not Applicable	309
Towing Capacity	2500	3500
Front Track Width	1495	1675
Rear Track Width	1490	1675
Turning Radius	5.8	6.0
Load Bed Length	1907	-
Load Bed Width	1454	-

Spec	NP300 Hardbody	Patrol
Engine	2.5L Turbocharged Diesel	3.3L Twin-Turbo V6 Diesel
Engine Type	Inline 4 Cylinder Turbocharged	V6 Twin-Turbocharged DOHC
Displacement	2488	3346
Cylinders	4	6
Valves per Cylinder	4	4
Power	98	227
Power @ RPM	3600 rpm	3000-3600 rpm
Torque	304	700
Torque @ RPM	1750-2500 rpm	1600-2600 rpm
Fuel System	Common Rail Direct Injection	Common Rail Direct Injection
Turbocharger	Single Turbo	Twin Turbo
Top Speed	168	210
0-100 km/h	12.5	7.5
Compression Ratio	17.5:1	15.4:1
Engine Position	Front Longitudinal	Front Longitudinal

Spec	NP300 Hardbody	Patrol
Transmission	7-Speed Automatic	10-Speed Automatic
Drive Type	4WD	4WD
Drivetrain Layout	Part-Time 4WD	Full-Time 4WD with Crawl Control
LSD Available	Not Available	Torsen LSD
Paddle Shifters	Not Available	Standard
Transfer Case	Standard	Multi-Terrain Select
Differential Lock	Rear Lock	Centre + Rear Lock

Spec	NP300 Hardbody	Patrol
Claimed Mileage	11.4	9.4
City Mileage	9	7
Highway Mileage	12	10
Fuel Tank Capacity	75	110
Emission Standard	Euro 5	Euro 5
AdBlue Tank Capacity	Not Applicable	Not Available
Auto Start Stop	Not Available	Standard

Spec	NP300 Hardbody	Patrol
Airbags	4	10
ABS	Standard	Standard
Electronic Stability Control	Standard	Standard with KDSS
Traction Control	Standard	Standard
Hill Descent Control	Not Available	Crawl Control
Hill Start Assist	Standard	Standard
Child Safety Lock	Standard	Standard
ISOFIX Mounts	Standard	Standard
Brake Assist	Standard	Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor	Not Available	Standard
Engine Immobiliser	Standard	Standard
Alarm System	Standard	Standard
Central Locking	Standard	Standard
Side Impact Beams	Not Available	Standard

Spec	NP300 Hardbody	Patrol
Cruise Control	Not Available	Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control	Not Available	Standard
Lane Keep Assist	Not Available	Standard
Lane Departure Warning	Not Available	Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring	Not Available	Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	Not Available	Standard
Parking Sensors	Not Available	Front and Rear
Rear View Camera	Standard	Standard
360 Degree Camera	Not Available	Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking	Not Available	Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert	Not Available	Standard
Traffic Sign Recognition	Not Available	Standard

Spec	NP300 Hardbody	Patrol
Seat Material	Fabric	Premium Leather
Seat Adjustment	Manual	Electric 12-Way
Heated Seats	Not Available	Front and Second Row
Ventilated Seats	Not Available	Front
Steering Type	Hydraulic Power Assisted	Power Assisted
Steering Adjustment	Tilt Adjustable	Power Tilt and Telescopic
Ambient Lighting	Not Available	Multi-colour
Folding Rear Seats	60/40 Split	60/40 Split
Front Armrest	Standard	Standard
Rear Armrest	Standard	Standard

Spec	NP300 Hardbody	Patrol
Climate Control	Manual AC	Quad-Zone Automatic
Power Windows	Front	All Doors
Keyless Entry	Not Available	Smart Entry
Push Button Start	Not Available	Standard
Wireless Charging	Not Available	Standard
Sunroof	Not Available	Standard
Electric Tailgate	Not Available	Power
Automatic Headlamps	Not Available	Standard
Rain Sensing Wipers	Not Available	Standard
Auto Dimming Mirror	Not Available	Standard

Spec	NP300 Hardbody	Patrol
Infotainment Screen	7-inch Touchscreen	12.3-inch Premium Touchscreen
Apple CarPlay	Standard	Wireless
Android Auto	Standard	Wireless
Bluetooth Connectivity	Standard	Standard
Number of Speakers	4	15
Navigation System	Not Available	Standard
Digital Instrument Cluster	Not Available	12.3-inch Full Digital
USB Ports	1	4
Wireless Apple CarPlay	Not Available	Standard

Spec	NP300 Hardbody	Patrol
LED Headlamps	Halogen	Full LED Adaptive
Daytime Running Lamps	Not Available	LED
Fog Lamps	Standard	LED
Roof Rails	Not Available	Standard
Alloy Wheel Design	Steel Wheels	21-inch Premium Alloy
Chrome Exterior Finish	Not Available	Not Available
Body Cladding	Not Available	Standard
Rear Spoiler	Not Available	Not Available

Spec	NP300 Hardbody	Patrol
Tyre Size	235/75 R15	265/55 R20
Wheel Type	Steel	Alloy
Front Brake Type	Ventilated Disc	Ventilated Disc
Rear Brake Type	Drum	Ventilated Disc
Spare Wheel Type	Full Size Steel Under-bed	Full Size Alloy

Spec	NP300 Hardbody	Patrol
Front Suspension	Double Wishbone	Double Wishbone with KDSS
Rear Suspension	Leaf Spring	Lateral Rod with KDSS
Chassis Type	Ladder Frame	Ladder Frame
Power Steering	Hydraulic	Power Rack and Pinion
Steering Column	Tilt Adjustable	Power Tilt and Telescopic

Spec	NP300 Hardbody	Patrol
Service Interval	10,000 km or 6 Months	10,000 km or 6 Months
Approx Service Cost	Approx R3,500	Approx R12,000
Battery Warranty	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Maintenance Plan	Not Available	Optional

Spec	NP300 Hardbody	Patrol
Warranty Years	3	3
Warranty Kilometers	100000	100000
Roadside Assistance	3 Years	3 Years
Anti-Corrosion Warranty	6 Years	6 Years

Spec	NP300 Hardbody	Patrol
CO2 Emissions	228	249
Start Stop System	Not Available	Standard
Hybrid System Type	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Noise Level	74	68

Spec	NP300 Hardbody	Patrol
Approach Angle	29	32
Departure Angle	23	24
Wading Depth	600	700
Terrain Modes	Not Available	Mud, Sand, Rock, Dirt, Snow
Locking Differential	Rear	Centre and Rear
Underbody Protection	Partial	Full Steel Plates

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 Nissan Patrol wins with 70 pts vs 49 pts for NP300 Hardbody

In structured scoring, Patrol emerges as the stronger overall package. However, NP300 Hardbody may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

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

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

Based on structured category scoring, Patrol performs better overall in South Africa. However, final choice depends on driving priorities.

NP300 Hardbody scores 7 while Patrol scores 5 in efficiency. Real-world mileage may vary based on driving conditions.

In safety scoring, NP300 Hardbody scores 12 and Patrol scores 20. Both offer competitive safety packages in this segment.

NP300 Hardbody scores 12 versus Patrol scoring 12. Warranty coverage and ownership value influence this result.

Practicality scoring gives NP300 Hardbody 8 and Patrol 13, reflecting cabin space and usability.

Performance category shows NP300 Hardbody scoring 10 compared to Patrol scoring 20, indicating stronger overtaking capability.

While resale depends on market demand, ownership and brand positioning suggest Patrol may hold stronger long-term value.

Off-road suitability depends on drivetrain and ground clearance. Refer to the full specification comparison for detailed technical differences.

Efficiency and ownership categories influence running costs. Patrol performs slightly stronger overall in structured scoring.

Value depends on feature set, performance and ownership coverage. Structured comparison gives Patrol the overall advantage.

In Depth — Breaking It All Down

The comparison between NP300 Hardbody and Patrol in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: NP300 Hardbody scores 10 vs 20.

Efficiency: NP300 Hardbody scores 7 vs 5.

Safety: NP300 Hardbody scores 12 vs 20.

Practicality: NP300 Hardbody scores 8 vs 13.

Ownership: NP300 Hardbody scores 12 vs 12.

Final structured scoring gives Patrol the advantage in this comparison.

Nissan NP300 Hardbody vs Nissan Patrol

Nissan NP300 Hardbody

Nissan Patrol

At a Glance — Who Wins What

The Overall Score — Here's How They Stack Up

Patrol

NP300 Hardbody

The Bottom Line

Where They Actually Differ

Score Breakdown by Category

Patrol

NP300 Hardbody

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

NP300 Hardbody

Patrol

Which One's Right for You?

NP300 Hardbody

Patrol

Full Specs, Side by Side

So, Which One Should You Buy?

Other Comparisons Worth Checking

Buyers Also Looked At These

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

In Depth — Breaking It All Down