When news broke in 2021 that Nissan would cease production of its legendary NP300 Hardbody bakkie, South Africans gasped at the thought of the Hardbody nameplate going extinct. Though it’s not for sale as a new model anymore, there are still plenty of options on the used-car market.
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Few bakkies garnered a reputation such as Nissan’s Hardbody. Tracing its lineage back to the erstwhile Datsun 720, the Hardbody would first go into production in 1985 with the D21 model, followed by the D22 in 1997. Interestingly, the D22 would be in production until 2021 for an incredible, uninterrupted run of 24 production years at Nissan’s Rosslyn plant in Pretoria. Only the legendary Nissan Champ would enjoy a longer production run of 37 years at the Japanese automaker’s Pretoria plant!
Still, the NP300 Hardbody would creep into South Africans’ hearts, as well as those where the bakkie was exported to. But with tightening safety regulations and the bakkie failing one of its last NCAP safety tests miserably, Nissan had no choice but to cut the bakkie from its portfolio. In its final sales year, it was the fifth best-selling bakkie in South Africa, despite the condemnation regarding vehicle safety.
We last drove the Nissan NP300 Hardbody in 2019. Click here to read our impressions.
A rundown on the Nissan NP300 Hardbody
In the NP300 Hardbody’s early years, the popular years, a raft of powertrains were on offer, comprising both petrol and diesel. One of the more popular ones was the 3.0-litre V6 petrol with its raspy engine noise and unfiltered, unique-sounding exhaust note. But as the years drew on, engine options digressed, leaving only three diesel options.
From its beginning to its end, the bakkie was available with only a five-speed manual transmission in 4×4 or 4×2 configuration.
The 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine was the most popular, offering 98 kW and 304 N.m from a lowly 2 000 rpm. Expectedly, performance was not high on the NP300 Hardbody’s priority list, with our test team noting in the 2019 report:
“[…] braking performance across our 10 tested emergency stops registered a “poor” rating on our ranking scale, despite the presence of ABS. In fact, it recorded an average stopping time only 4% better than the Hardbody we tested 16 years ago.”
Available in both double- and single cab, the bakkie has a payload rating ranging from 1 101 – 1 359 kg, with most models in the line-up boasting a braked towing capacity of 750 kg.
Things to look out for when buying a used Nissan Hardbody
Given the NP300 Hardbody’s purpose-built nature for all things rugged, it’s bound that the bodywork will be put to the test. Rusting has been documented by some owners, but the issue can be mitigated with appropriate rust-proofing sprays and applying the proper undercoating when respraying the bodywork.
Mechanically, suspension components, including the bushings and shock absorbers, must be maintained regularly, especially because the Hardbody is known for taking on any task no matter how harsh the conditions. Regular maintenance checks can go a long way in extending the bakkie’s lifecycle. It is recommended d to have these done at a certified Nissan service station where the technicians would still know how to service one of South Africa’s beloved icons.
While the engine is largely bulletproof, the NP300 Hardbody has been known to overheat. Regular maintenance of the cooling system, including flushing the radiator, checking hoses, and ensuring proper coolant levels, can prevent overheating problems.
Which one to get?
While there are many options to choose from, the 2.5-litre turbodiesel double cab has always been the top-seller in the range. The range also had trim levels to choose from – Base, S, SE – as well as accessories to enhance the visual appeal and cabin comfort. These comprised of the Agri Pack, Fleet Pack, Business Pack, and Leisure Pack.
Pricing for a second-hand NP300 Hardbody on the CAR listings page ranges from R115 000 to R539 990, with one example coming in at a ridiculous R1.4 million. Purpose-built versions kitted with, for instance, camping gear, can fetch higher prices. Also expect some of these bakkies to have a high mileage reading. In 2016, Brian Kannemeyer’s 2.4i Nissan NP300 Hardbody surpassed 1.5-million km on the clock.
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