Nissan NP300 Hardbody vs GWM Steed 5

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 an archived model

Current and archived cars are compared side by side. Archived models keep their verified historical specs, while price labels show last-listed context rather than current new-car availability.

Nissan NP300 Hardbody
Nissan NP300 Hardbody in South Africa

Nissan NP300 Hardbody

2.5 TDi Double Cab Hi-Rider 4x4 Automatic Diesel Automatic Archive reference
ZAR 529,900 last listed
No longer sold new Specs stay visible for owner and used-car comparisons.
VS
GWM Steed 5 in South Africa

GWM Steed 5

2.0VGT Single Cab S 2WD 6MT Diesel Manual
ZAR 307,950 ex-showroom
⚡ 110 kW 🔧 320 Nm ⛽ Not Applicable km/l
Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

Performance Steed 5
Fuel Economy Steed 5
🛡 Safety Steed 5
📦 Practicality NP300 Hardbody
🔑 Ownership Steed 5
Steed 5 starts ZAR 349900 cheaper NP300 Hardbody from ZAR 349,900 · Steed 5 from ZAR 307,950

Key Specs Side by Side

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

Spec NP300 Hardbody Steed 5
Engine Power Not confirmed 110
Torque Not confirmed 320
Engine Size Not confirmed Not Applicable
Claimed Mileage Not confirmed Not Applicable
Ground Clearance Not confirmed 194 mm
Boot Space Not confirmed Not Applicable
Airbags Not confirmed 2 front airbags
Kerb Weight Not confirmed Not Applicable
Seating Capacity Not confirmed 2
Warranty Not confirmed 5

= leads in this spec

Archived models stay fully comparable. Verified specs remain visible; historical fields that were not source-confirmed are marked Not confirmed instead of being guessed.

The Bottom Line

Steed 5 has a slight advantage, but NP300 Hardbody remains highly competitive.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance Steed 5 +5 pts
Efficiency Steed 5 +15 pts
Safety Steed 5 +18 pts
Practicality NP300 Hardbody +2 pts
Ownership Steed 5 +15 pts

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

NP300 Hardbody

Strengths
  • More practical for daily use
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Less comprehensive safety features
  • Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to: Family Usage
🏆 Overall Winner

Steed 5

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger safety package
  • Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
  • Less practical in daily usage
Best suited to: Highway Driving Fuel Efficiency

Which One's Right for You?

NP300 Hardbody

  • Large families needing more practicality and usability

Steed 5

  • Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
  • Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
  • Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
  • Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind

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 NP300 Hardbody Steed 5
Model Introduced Year Not confirmed Current local generation year not confirmed
Generation Not confirmed Current South African Steed 5 listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data.
Facelift History Not confirmed 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 Not confirmed Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending Not confirmed Current
Body Style Not confirmed Single-cab pickup
Body Type Cab Not confirmed Single/extended/double cab as per derivative name
Color Note Not confirmed Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering.
Dealer Stock Note Not confirmed Base grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note Not confirmed Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 2.0VGT Single Cab S 2WD 6MT
Model Year Not confirmed 2026
Production Status Not confirmed published
Segment Not confirmed Pickup
Vehicle Type Not confirmed Pickup
Spec NP300 Hardbody Steed 5
Ground Clearance Not confirmed 194 mm
Wheelbase Not confirmed 3050 mm
Length Not confirmed 5095 mm
Width Not confirmed 1800 mm
Height Not confirmed 1730 mm
Kerb Weight Not confirmed Not Applicable
Gross Vehicle Weight Not confirmed Not Applicable
Seating Capacity Not confirmed 2
Boot Space Not confirmed Not Applicable
Towing Capacity Not confirmed Not Applicable
Front Track Width Not confirmed Not Applicable
Rear Track Width Not confirmed Not Applicable
Turning Radius Not confirmed Not Applicable
Load Bed Length Not confirmed Not Applicable
Load Bed Width Not confirmed Not Applicable
Front Legroom Not confirmed Not Applicable
Rear Legroom Not confirmed Not Applicable
Front Headroom Not confirmed Not Applicable
Rear Headroom Not confirmed Not Applicable
Front Shoulder Room Not confirmed Not Applicable
Rear Shoulder Room Not confirmed Not Applicable
Boot Space Seats Folded Not confirmed Not Applicable
Number of Doors Not confirmed 2
Max Payload Not confirmed Not Applicable
Boot Volume Not confirmed Not Applicable
Doors Not confirmed 2
Seats Not confirmed 2
Fuel Tank Capacity Not confirmed Not Applicable
Gross Vehicle Mass Kg Not confirmed Not Applicable
Ground Clearance Max Not confirmed 194 mm
Ground Clearance Min Not confirmed 194 mm
Ground Clearance Mm Not confirmed 194 mm
Height Mm Not confirmed 1730 mm
Length Mm Not confirmed 5095 mm
Loadbox Length Mm Not confirmed Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm Not confirmed Not Applicable
Payload Kg Not confirmed Not Applicable
Cargo Volume Not confirmed Not Applicable
Tare Mass Kg Not confirmed Not Applicable
Turning Circle Not confirmed Not Applicable
Turning Circle M Not confirmed Not Applicable
Width Mm Not confirmed 1800 mm

Overall Verdict Score

Decision-grade view of the winner, score gap and category strengths.

Weighted / 100
Verdict readout

Steed 5 leads by 10 points

Steed 5 has a slight advantage, but NP300 Hardbody remains highly competitive.

Winner 49 /100
Lead 10 points
Data 67% confidence
49
#1 Winner

Steed 5

67% data confidence 0 strong categories
Best at Efficiency 65 Check Safety 18
Performance 55
Efficiency 65
Safety 18
Practicality 48
Ownership 65
Leads by 10 points
39
#2

NP300 Hardbody

11% data confidence 0 strong categories
Best at Performance 50 Check Safety 0
Performance 50
Efficiency 50
Safety 0
Practicality 50
Ownership 50
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Steed 5 +5 Efficiency Steed 5 +15 Safety Steed 5 +18 Practicality NP300 Hardbody +2 Ownership Steed 5 +15

Moderate difference between the models.

Why this score View full breakdown
Overall Winner

Steed 5

Performance 55/100
Efficiency 65/100
Safety 18/100
Practicality 48/100
Ownership 65/100

NP300 Hardbody

Performance 50/100
Efficiency 50/100
Safety 0/100
Practicality 50/100
Ownership 50/100

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 GWM Steed 5 wins with 49 pts vs 39 pts for NP300 Hardbody

In structured scoring, Steed 5 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.

Buyers Also Looked At These

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

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

On our scoring the Steed 5 edges ahead overall. That said, the right choice depends on what you actually use the car for — the breakdown above shows exactly where each one wins and loses.

Efficiency scores: NP300 Hardbody 50 vs Steed 5 65. In the real world, diesel variants of either car will beat the claimed figure on long highways and fall short in Joburg traffic.

Safety scores: NP300 Hardbody 0, Steed 5 18. Check each model page for NCAP ratings and which trim levels include AEB and blind-spot monitoring — those features aren't always standard.

Long-term ownership scores: NP300 Hardbody 50, Steed 5 65. Service intervals, parts availability in SA, and whether a service plan is bundled all factor in — check the individual variant specs for that detail.

Practicality scores: NP300 Hardbody 50, Steed 5 48. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: NP300 Hardbody 50, Steed 5 55. This looks at real-world pace — 0–100 kph, highway flexibility, and how either car feels when you actually need to overtake on an N-road.

Resale varies with colour, spec, and market timing, but Japanese brands — and Toyota specifically — have a strong track record in SA. Check current used prices for both on AutoTrader to see the real gap right now.

Ground clearance and 4WD availability are what matter most here. Scroll to the spec table above to compare both side by side — if either model offers a 4WD variant, that's the version worth comparing.

Fuel, insurance, and service costs are the big three. Diesel variants of both models typically save R800–R1,500/month in fuel at current SA pump prices. The Steed 5 edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.

The Steed 5 scores better overall, but neither car is a bad buy here. It comes down to what features matter to you — check the full spec table above to see exactly what you gain and lose at each price point.

In Depth — Breaking It All Down

The comparison between NP300 Hardbody and Steed 5 in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: NP300 Hardbody scores 50 vs 55.

Efficiency: NP300 Hardbody scores 50 vs 65.

Safety: NP300 Hardbody scores 0 vs 18.

Practicality: NP300 Hardbody scores 50 vs 48.

Ownership: NP300 Hardbody scores 50 vs 65.

Final structured scoring gives Steed 5 the advantage in this comparison.