Nissan NP200 No Brainer
The Nissan NP200 bakkie was perched on the pavement outside my house, waiting for me to take it for a test drive. Unassuming, yet with bold good looks that added to the quiet confidence the little bakkie exuded. I had the gutsy fifteen hundred, diesel version and I was very impressed with the NP200’s performance at low revs. Once I got going the enthusiasm from the NP200 was fantastic and I began wondering what it would behave like with a load on the back. Not to be discouraged I duly went in search of a load and I must say that my friend who is a builder welcomed my offer of delivering some cement for him. Sixteen bags of cement is a lot of cement and adds up to the 800 kilograms of the NP200’s maximum load. Driving the NP200 with maximum load was surprisingly pleasing and I can say that this vehicle took it all in its stride. It is no wonder the NP200 has been the best selling model in this segment for some time now. With the Datsun 1400 bakkie in its heritage, the NP200 had a lot to live up to, and I can say it has achieved this honourably. So with the biggest payload in its segment, 800 Kg, the biggest loadbox volume in its segment, 1.25 m3 and the longest load body in its segment, 1807 mm, this is a no brainer. Add to those credentials the comfortable and spacious cabin with 300 liters of load space behind the seats and the picture gets even better.