In a move to shake up the African bakkie market, Nissan is launching the return of its South African-manufactured Navara Stealth after a nearly six-year hiatus.
What is it?
The new Stealth has a sharper, more assertive presence but remains a bakkie built for drivers who need to navigate rush hour traffic from Monday to Friday, haul gear across highways and mountains on Saturday and still draw attention at the Sunday braai or picnic, claims Nissan.
Exterior:
“Despite its name, the Stealth isn’t subtle or quiet by any means with the striking chrome of the Navara swapped for a bold matte and gloss black accents.
The roof rails, grille, mirror caps, door handles and side steps share the deep black finish of the Stealth signature on the doors and tailgate.
A nudge bar, sports bar and 17-inch alloy wheels round off the picture on the outside.
Interior:
Climb inside and you are greeted by all-black leather-trimmed seats, door panels and arm rests that give the Stealth an attractive character without compromising its upmarket Navara approach.
A configurable touch infotainment screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay feeds sound through six speakers, while front and rear USB-C ports enable faster device charging.
Under the skin:
Bakkie lovers will appreciate the five-link rear suspension system of the Navara range with coil springs – standard on the Stealth – instead of traditional leaf springs. Recalibrated dampers with faster rebound recovery also allow the rear suspension to return to its normal position more quickly after compression – an enhancement that gives the Stealth good comfort and handling.
Engine:
Under the bonnet, the Stealth sports a 2.5-litre DDTi diesel engine that transfers 140kW and 450Nm through a seven-speed gearbox to the road.
Conclusion:
Nissan South Africa says Stealth production further validates the Rosslyn plant’s ability to pivot between derivatives tailored for the African market without lengthening takt time. This flexibility ensures production closely matches client demand, enabling the facility to pursue new export opportunities across corridors in West and East Africa.
The South African motor industry has lost one of its longstanding business figures following the passing of Jebb McIntosh, the group chief executive of Combined Motor Holdings (CMH), on Monday, 2 November 2026.
“South Africa’s automotive industry has been AGOA’s largest user, but for the sector the preference has already been largely overridden by the 25% Section 232 tariffs applied on vehicles and components. Losing AGOA adds a further cost to an industry that has already absorbed a significant shock.”
Foton has started building vehicles in South Africa, and the first overseas vehicle manufacturing base of BAIC Group is now in Gqeberha.
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