Battle of pickups: Toyota Hilux vs Nissan Navara

Experts say when it comes to pickup trucks, Toyota has history on its side. It has been making its Hilux pickup for more than 50 years. And over that time, it has gained something of a reputation for being one of the most capable all-terrain vehicles out there.
But there is another kid on the block, the Navara from Nissan. This pickup has been around in one form or another for more than 80 years. And in that time, Nissan has developed tremendous expertise in making a car that is durable and practical. So which is better?

Interior
Jonathan Masiga, a mechanic, says both cars offer a very spacious and neat layout. They also made sure that the plastics used within do not appear cheap but luxurious. They also have an elaborate multimedia system but differ a bit: while the Hilux has got a simple yet informative instrument metre, the Navara NP300 has a 5-inch multimedia system. Nonetheless, the Hilux has a special cooling compartment for your drinks while the Navara has more USB ports and cup holders than the Hilux.

Exterior
Alex Ntambi, a car enthusiast, mentions that this aspect is somewhat difficult to compare because we have varying tastes; some may love the Navara NP300 curves while others may prefer Hilux’s strong look.
However, we could look at the range of colours that both cars have to offer: Navara comes in four colours while the Hilux in seven. Apart from having a wider colour range, Toyota Hilux also comes in black which a number of people prefer.

Driving experience and comfort
On good city roads, Aloysius Masaba, a Hilux owner admits that the Navara will give you a less-bumpy drive, just like any SUV would, while the Hilux will afford you power. That makes the Navara a fovourite here.
Looking at suspension, he says the Navara’s multi suspension makes the drive even more comfortable and also renders the driver more handling because it shakes less. The rear suspension of the Navara eliminates the traditional leaf springs, replacing them with coil springs, these provide for a more stable ride and added comfort to rival comfort.
More to that, the passenger also feels comfortable at the rear of the trunk. That is quite the opposite for the Hilux which has leaf spring suspension. The leaf springs provide better handling with load and indeed offer more loading capability.

Entertainment
Moses Mulungi, a tech fanatic, says both vehicles have six speakers and their multimedia system comes with USB ports, AUX jack, Bluetooth and a DVD player. They also have day lights and a reverse camera. The Hilux boasts of a 6.1 inch multimedia touch screen which dwarfs the Navara’s optional 5 inch screen. It also has a digital recorder which is quiet trendy. However, it is not available in all its versions.

Torque and power
The Hilux comes with a 2.8litre engine while the Navara packs a 2.3litre engine giving it an advantage for fuel consumption if driven with similar conditions and driving style. To catch up on power, the Navara has a twin turbo system that enables both to have maximum torque of 450 Nm/rpm. However the Navara gives off 19ps compared to the 177ps by the Hilux. However, we need to appreciate that the Navara does not rave a lot giving a false picture of being under powered.

Safety
While the Navara has been great on safety for quite a while, the Hilux seems to be pulling up its socks. That said, the Hilux has three airbags: one more than the Navara and a ‘follow me home’ function.

Verdict
It is quite difficult to draw a wedge between the Navara NP300 and Hilux because both are great vehicles. The Navara excels in comfort while Hilux has more power and is trendy. However, if you are driving in the city often with less load, the Navara is your go to vehicle while the Hilux works great with rough terrain and carries great loads.
Both dealers in Uganda strive to offer after world class sales services with fully equipped workshops within Kampala and service and repair garages spread across major towns in Uganda. The warranty offer on both cars is three years or 100,000km.