Extended-cab bakkies are seen as a bit like grey shoes; they’re for undecided people who can’t quite commit to a single or double-cab, or between brown or black shoes.
In reality the concept (the bakkie, not the grey shoes) makes a lot of sense.
As a company or farmer’s workhorse, or adventure vehicle for a weekend warrior who only needs two seats, an extended cab allows extra room in the cabin for items that would get damaged (or stolen) in the load bay.
There’s space behind the seats for briefcases, laptops, or even bulky items such as toolboxes, scuba gear, or mothers-in-law (OK, I’m joking about that last one - kinda).
The front doors open normally while small back doors (affectionately known as “suicide” doors) open rearwards to ease loading and unloading into the storage area behind the driver and passenger.
Why not pay a few bucks more and simply buy a double cab, you ask? The size of the toys, Frik, the size of the toys. The load box itself is a significant 329mm longer than a double cab’s (1840mm compared to 1511mm), allowing you to schlep larger items without needing a trailer.
For instance the Navara KingCab’s load bay is large enough for most motocross bikes, though some will require the tailgate to be open.
It can also carry a heavier payload than the double cab, at 905kg. Like all Navaras it has a 750kg towing capacity (1000kg with a braked trailer). The tailgate’s operated by a convenient central latch and a tonneau cover comes standard.
It’s all packaged in a very un-workhorselike bakkie that comes with plenty of bells and whistles - as it should for a price of R335 000.
Apart from mod cons such as aircon, electric windows and mirrors, radio/CD, it’s the plushness of the cabin that appeals.
This is no blue-collar bakkie with cheap-looking plastics; the passenger quarters are neatly finished with high quality materials reminiscent of an SUV.
Dual front airbags and ABS brakes take care of safety while a three-year or 90 000km service plan and three-year or 100 000km warranty are standard.
Nissan offers the same 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine in various power outputs, from 106kW to 140kW depending on model.
We asked Nissan why this is so and they replied that powertrain outputs are based on a vehicle’s spec level - hence more premium LE models have an uprated engine - and also on application, with a 4x4 model getting more power than a 4x2.
Instead of using different-sized engines like most other manufacturers, Nissan employ the same engine but with different injection systems and injection pressures to produce different power ratings. So there’s the answer.
The Navara 4x4 KingCab XE on test here employs the middle-spec 128kW/403Nm version of the 2.5 motor, and it’s plenty gutsy.
That torque figure is especially impressive and it gives this bakkie the ability to traverse any kind of terrain without breaking into a sweat. Steep hills present no obstacle to this KingCab which hums along in an easy, low-revving lope with minimal turbo lag.
It’s easy work keeping this bakkie in the powerband and when you do need to snick down a gear or two, the six-speed manual’s a smooth-shifting delight.
It’s a fairly refined bakkie too, making a noticeable diesel clatter without being aurally intrusive.
Another thing I like about the Navara is the way it blends muscle and class in its styling; it reminds me of a bouncer in a tuxedo.
Its off-roading credentials are good and the hardware includes selectable four-wheel drive, a differential lock and low range, so the expedition needn’t end just because the tar road does.
VERDICT
A classy, if somewhat expensive, way to haul garbage and toys.