Is the Nissan NP200 good for new drivers? Here’s our verdict.

By Farzana Chaumoo

 

If you’re part of the industrial space then the NP200 will make a good bakkie for a new driver. 

 

Inspiring confidence

New drivers can drive with confidence knowing their vehicle is equipped with ABS (Anti-lock Braking System). ABS helps prevent wheel lockup by pumping the brakes faster than you ever could during sudden-braking situations, helping you steer around obstacles to avoid a collision. 

 

You can also be at ease knowing that, as a new driver roaming the horizons, your NP200 is equipped with an Engine Immobilizer and will be safe wherever you leave it. This anti-theft system uses a chip embedded in the key, which triggers a unique starting code that lets your vehicle know it’s you.

 

In further securing your bakkie, you can opt for additional security such as a gear lock, a spare wheel lock, an alarm or even a central locking kit.

 

Uncompromising Suspension

When it comes to bakkies, a leaf-sprung rear suspension setup is best since it provides optimum load-ability. But since traditional live-axle leaf springs tend to reduce ride quality – especially while carrying a load – Nissan gave it a coilspring-supported H-shaped torsion bar at the back end, giving it a supple ride that beats rival bakkies.

 

Accessories

As a new driver or having your first vehicle, you may want to accessorize and make it look your own. Nissan offers a range of NP200 accessories that allows you to customise your bakkie to suit your individual needs.

 

Warranty

New NP200s come with a 6-year/150,000 km Mechanical Warranty Period and an optional 3 years/60 000km or 5 years/90 000km Service Plan.

 

Insurance

Because the NP200 is locally produced, this puts it in the lower insurance range, provided you have comprehensive car insurance. 

According to data from a Kinsey report, the NP200 is on a list of cars that have been labelled as one of the cheapest vehicles in its class locally to service or repair and among the best cars to buy in terms of replacement parts.

 

Verdict

As a new driver, if you need to start out with a bakkie then the NP200 is ideal. Even if you’re buying from the used car market, you don’t need to worry as parts are readily available because it's locally produced and maintenance is relatively cheap. It has a smooth 5-speed manual gearbox that won’t be difficult to drive or when parking. It also offers an 800kg payload, class-leading cabin space and standard rubberised load bin and remains a solid buy in the bakkie segment.

 

Sarel Jacobs, the national fleet manager of the pathology specialists Ampath, reported on their fleet of over 200 Nissan NP200s that travelled over 2 million kilometres during a busy holiday season, that the NP200 cost them the least to operate, service and repair and also used the least fuel of all of the options tested. NP200s also return very acceptable resale values.

 

Nissan dealers can be found in many areas which also helps when you’re on the road and you need to service, repair or replace something.

 

 

Recommended: Which Nissan NP200 is better: diesel or petrol? 

 

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