Nissan Safari

Generations: what changed between 4 generation and 5 generation

Same body type in both generations (SUV 3-doors). The generation change is not “more doors”; it is more power on the shared displacements, a 95 l tank on every 5 generation row, and — on most 5 generation rows — 5 mm less clearance than 4 generation (215 vs 220), except 4.8 AT, which is 5 mm above 4 generation (225 vs 220).

4 generation (1987–1997) is the older SUV 3-doors set: 12 versions, all AWD, ground clearance 220 mm on every row. Tank size is not uniform: six versions carry 95 l, six carry 80 l. Gross weight, where measured, is 2300 kg. Kerb weight is measured on only two rows. Peak power is 125, 145 or 175 hp. The 175 hp pair is Gasoline; everything else is Diesel.

5 generation (1997–2017) is the later SUV 3-doors set: 11 versions, all AWD. Ground clearance is 215 mm on ten versions and 225 mm on 4.8 AT. Tank size is 95 l on every row. Peak power is 135, 160, 170, 200 or 245 hp. Two versions are Gasoline (4.5 AT, 4.8 AT); nine are Diesel. The 5 generation Diesel 2.8 is 10 hp above the 4 generation Diesel 2.8 (135 vs 125). The 5 generation Diesel 4.2 is 15 hp above the 4 generation Turbo Diesel 4.2 (160 vs 145) and 35 hp above the 4 generation non-turbo Diesel 4.2 (160 vs 125).

Same body type in both generations (SUV 3-doors). The generation change is not “more doors”; it is more power on the shared displacements, a 95 l tank on every 5 generation row, and — on most 5 generation rows — 5 mm less clearance than 4 generation (215 vs 220), except 4.8 AT, which is 5 mm above 4 generation (225 vs 220).

Engines and specs: every named version, distinguished where names collide

Use the names exactly as in the catalogue. Where two rows share 2.8 MT, 2.8 AT, 3.0 AT, 4.2 MT or 4.2 AT, the split is horsepower, torque, valves, boost, tank, kerb, or suspension — not a renamed model.

5 generation Diesel, 2825 cm³, 6 cylinders, Inline, Turbo, Front, longitudinal

Same 135 hp and 2825 cm³ on all four. The 261 Nm pair has Independent, spring front and rear, Ventilated disc front, Disc rear. The 260 Nm pair has Dependent, spring front and rear, Ventilated disc front, Disc ventilated rear, and 220–230 kg more kerb than the 1850 kg 2.8 MT (261 Nm). Fuel: Diesel. Drive: AWD.

5 generation Diesel, 2953 cm³, 4 cylinders, Inline, 4 valves/cyl, Turbo, Front, longitudinal, compression 17.9

All three: 170 hp, Diesel, AWD. The 353 Nm 3.0 AT is +19 Nm versus the 334 Nm 3.0 AT at the same 1800 rpm. 0–100, top speed, consumption: not measured on all three.

5 generation Diesel, 4169 cm³, 6 cylinders, Inline, 4 valves/cyl, Turbo, Front, longitudinal, compression 22.8

• 4.2 MT: 160 hp @ 3600, 330 Nm @ 2000, Manual 5, kerb 2390 kg, gross not measured.
• 4.2 AT: 160 hp @ 3600, 330 Nm @ 2000, Automatic 4, kerb 2360 kg, gross not measured.

Heaviest measured kerbs in 5 generation. 0–100, top speed, consumption: not measured. Fuel Diesel, AWD, clearance 215 mm, tank 95 l.

5 generation Gasoline

• 4.5 AT: 200 hp @ 4400, 348 Nm @ 3600, 4478 cm³, 6 cylinders, Inline, 4 valves/cyl, boost No, Distributed injection (multi-point), compression 8.5, fuel 92, Automatic 4, kerb 2250 kg, gross not measured, clearance 215 mm, 0–100 not measured, top speed not measured.
• 4.8 AT: 245 hp @ 4800, 400 Nm @ 3600, 4759 cm³, 6 cylinders, Inline, 4 valves/cyl, boost No, Distributed injection (multi-point), compression 9, fuel 95, Automatic 5, kerb 2190 kg, gross 2920 kg, clearance 225 mm, 0–100 13.7 s, top speed 160 km/h.

4 generation Diesel 2.8, 2825 cm³, 6 cylinders, Inline, 2 valves/cyl, Turbo, 125 hp @ 4400, 255 Nm @ 2400, compression 22, tank 95 l, gross 2300 kg, clearance 220 mm

• 2.8 MT: Manual 5. Kerb not measured. Engine position not measured.
• 2.8 AT: Automatic 4. Kerb not measured. Engine position not measured.

4 generation Diesel 4.2, 4169 cm³, 6 cylinders, Inline, AWD, clearance 220 mm — six Diesel 4.2 MT / 4.2 AT rows plus two Gasoline 4.2 rows. Distinguish them:

The 175 hp pair is Gasoline, fuel 92, Distributed injection (multi-point). All other 4 generation 4.2 rows are Diesel.

Horsepower, litres, and kg per hp (arithmetic on the catalogue)

Power per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres):

• 5 generation 3.0 AT / 3.0 MT (170 hp, 2.953 l): 57.6 hp/l — highest Diesel density in the set.
• 5 generation 4.8 AT (245 hp, 4.759 l): 51.5 hp/l — highest Gasoline density, and the highest absolute power (245 hp).
• 5 generation 2.8 MT / 2.8 AT (135 hp, 2.825 l): 47.8 hp/l.
• 5 generation 4.5 AT (200 hp, 4.478 l): 44.7 hp/l.
• 4 generation 2.8 MT / 2.8 AT (125 hp, 2.825 l): 44.2 hp/l — 3.6 hp/l below the 5 generation 2.8.
• 4 generation 4.2 MT / 4.2 AT Gasoline 175 hp: 42.0 hp/l.
• 5 generation 4.2 MT / 4.2 AT (160 hp, 4.169 l): 38.4 hp/l.
• 4 generation 4.2 Turbo 145 hp: 34.8 hp/l.
• 4 generation 4.2 non-turbo Diesel 125 hp: 30.0 hp/l — lowest density; the extra 1.344 l versus the 2.8 Diesel buys 0 extra hp versus 4 generation 2.8 MT (both 125 hp) and +18 Nm (273 vs 255) on the 273 Nm pair.

Kerb kg per hp, only where kerb is measured:

• 4.8 AT (5 generation): 2190 ÷ 245 = 8.9 kg/hp — lightest per horsepower.
• 4.5 AT: 2250 ÷ 200 = 11.3 kg/hp.
• 3.0 AT (353 Nm): 2130 ÷ 170 = 12.5 kg/hp.
• 2.8 MT (261 Nm): 1850 ÷ 135 = 13.7 kg/hp — lightest absolute kerb (1850 kg).
• 4.2 AT (5 generation 160 hp): 2360 ÷ 160 = 14.8 kg/hp.
• 4.2 MT (5 generation 160 hp): 2390 ÷ 160 = 14.9 kg/hp.
• 2.8 MT (260 Nm): 2070 ÷ 135 = 15.3 kg/hp.
• 2.8 AT (260 Nm): 2080 ÷ 135 = 15.4 kg/hp.
• 4 generation 4.2 AT (125 hp, 272 Nm): 2060 ÷ 125 = 16.5 kg/hp.
• 4 generation 4.2 MT (125 hp, 272 Nm): 2090 ÷ 125 = 16.7 kg/hp — heaviest per horsepower among measured kerbs.

The 5 generation 4.2 Diesel is not “more engine for free”: it is 25 hp below the 5 generation 3.0 (160 vs 170) despite 1216 cm³ more displacement, and 79 hp below 4.8 AT. Torque on 5 generation 4.2 MT is 330 Nm versus 334 Nm on 3.0 MT and 353 Nm on 3.0 AT (353 Nm). The 4.2 Diesel’s measured kerb (2360–2390 kg) is 230–260 kg above 3.0 AT (353 Nm) at 2130 kg.

Performance and mpg: what is measured, what is not

0–100 km/h is measured on two rows only. 4.8 AT (5 generation) is 13.7 s and 160 km/h. 2.8 MT (135 hp, 261 Nm, 5 generation) is 15.7 s and 150 km/h. The gap is 2.0 s and 10 km/h, for +110 hp and +139 Nm (400 vs 261), on a kerb 340 kg higher (2190 vs 1850).

On 2.8 AT, both 3.0 versions, both 5 generation 4.2 versions, 4.5 AT, and every 4 generation version, 0–100 km/h is not measured and top speed is not measured.

Fuel consumption (city, highway, mixed) is not measured on all 23 versions. A Nissan Safari mpg or fuel-economy comparison cannot be done from this catalogue: the cells are empty, not zero. CO2 is not measured. Eco class is not measured.

Dimensions, weight, tank, clearance

Body type does not choose the version: SUV 3-doors on both generations.

Ground clearance: 220 mm on all 12 of 4 generation; 215 mm on 10 of 11 in 5 generation; 225 mm on 5 generation 4.8 AT only. Buying 5 generation 4.8 AT is the only way in this data to gain clearance versus 4 generation (+5 mm). Every other 5 generation row is −5 mm versus 4 generation.

Tank: 95 l on all 11 of 5 generation and on 4 generation 2.8 MT, 2.8 AT, 4.2 AT (125 hp 273 Nm), 4.2 MT (125 hp 273 Nm), 4.2 AT (145 hp, 95 l), 4.2 MT (145 hp, 95 l). 80 l on 4 generation 4.2 MT (125 hp 272 Nm), 4.2 AT (125 hp 272 Nm), 4.2 MT (145 hp, 80 l), 4.2 AT (145 hp, 80 l), and both Gasoline 4.2 rows. The 15 l gap is 18.8% of the 80 l tank. Wheel size: not measured on every version.

Payload where both kerb and gross exist:

• 5 generation 2.8 MT (261 Nm): 2920 − 1850 = 1070 kg.
• 5 generation 4.8 AT: 2920 − 2190 = 730 kg (340 kg less payload than that 2.8 MT, same 2920 kg gross).
• 5 generation 3.0 AT (353 Nm): 2405 − 2130 = 275 kg — smallest measured payload; gross is 515 kg below the 2920 kg rows.

4 generation gross 2300 kg with kerb not measured on most rows: payload is not measured there. The two 4 generation rows with kerb (4.2 MT / 4.2 AT 125 hp 272 Nm) have gross not measured, so payload is not measured.

Which version to choose

If the question is maximum power and the only measured sprint. 5 generation 4.8 AT: 245 hp, 400 Nm, Automatic 5, Gasoline, fuel 95, 13.7 s, 160 km/h, 2190 kg, 8.9 kg/hp, 225 mm clearance, 95 l tank, AWD. It is +45 hp versus 4.5 AT and +70 hp versus 4 generation Gasoline 4.2 AT / 4.2 MT (175 hp). It is the only 5-speed Automatic in the whole catalogue. Consumption is still not measured.

If the question is Gasoline without the 4.8’s extra 281 cm³. 5 generation 4.5 AT: 200 hp, 348 Nm, Automatic 4, fuel 92, boost No, 2250 kg. Versus 4.8 AT you give up 45 hp, 52 Nm, 10 mm of clearance (215 vs 225), the fifth Automatic ratio, the only measured 0–100 on a Gasoline row, and you keep a 92 fuel label instead of 95. Versus 4 generation 4.2 AT (175 hp, Gasoline) you gain 25 hp and 28 Nm and a 95 l tank instead of 80 l.

If the question is Diesel with the highest hp per litre. 5 generation 3.0 MT or 3.0 AT (334 Nm): 170 hp from 2953 cm³ (57.6 hp/l), 334 Nm @ 1800, 4 cylinders, Inline, Turbo. Manual 5 versus Automatic 4 is the gearbox split; power and torque match. 0–100 not measured. If the Automatic must have the extra torque, take 3.0 AT (353 Nm): same 170 hp, +19 Nm, kerb 2130 kg, gross 2405 kg, payload 275 kg. That payload is 795 kg below 2.8 MT (261 Nm). Do not pick 5 generation 4.2 MT / 4.2 AT expecting more Diesel power: 160 hp is 10 hp below the 3.0, 38.4 hp/l versus 57.6, and kerb 2360–2390 kg versus 2130 kg on 3.0 AT (353 Nm).

If the question is lightest Diesel and the only measured Diesel sprint. 5 generation 2.8 MT (261 Nm, 2 valves/cyl): 135 hp, 261 Nm, 1850 kg, 15.7 s, 150 km/h, 1070 kg payload, Independent, spring both ends, tank 95 l. Same power as the other 5 generation 2.8 rows, but 220 kg lighter than 2.8 MT (260 Nm, 2070 kg) and 230 kg lighter than 2.8 AT (260 Nm, 2080 kg). 2.8 AT (261 Nm) matches the 261 Nm engine and Independent, spring layout with Automatic 4; kerb is not measured, 0–100 is not measured.

If the question is 4 generation and Turbo Diesel 4.2. 4.2 MT (145 hp) or 4.2 AT (145 hp), then pick tank: 95 l versus 80 l. Same 145 hp, 331 Nm, Turbo, 2 valves/cyl. Versus the 125 hp non-turbo 4.2 MT / 4.2 AT that is +20 hp and +58 Nm (331 vs 273) on the 95 l pair, or +20 hp and +59 Nm (331 vs 272) on the 80 l pair. Versus 5 generation 4.2 MT you give up 15 hp (145 vs 160) and you keep 220 mm clearance versus 215 mm.

If the question is 4 generation 2.8 Diesel. 2.8 MT or 2.8 AT, 125 hp, 255 Nm, Turbo, tank 95 l, clearance 220 mm. Versus 5 generation 2.8 MT (261 Nm) that is −10 hp, −6 Nm, and 0–100 not measured versus 15.7 s. The 5 generation 2.8 is the newer 135 hp row; the 4 generation 2.8 is the 125 hp row with 5 mm more clearance.

If the question is 4 generation Gasoline. 4.2 MT (175 hp) or 4.2 AT (175 hp): 175 hp, 320 Nm, boost No, fuel 92, tank 80 l, gross 2300 kg, clearance 220 mm. Valves per cylinder, compression, bore × stroke, kerb, 0–100, top speed: not measured. It is 25 hp below 5 generation 4.5 AT and 70 hp below 4.8 AT, with a 15 l smaller tank than every 5 generation row.

What the “bigger” displacement does not buy. 4 generation Diesel 4.2 at 125 hp matches 4 generation 2.8 at 125 hp on power and loses on hp/l (30.0 vs 44.2). 5 generation Diesel 4.2 at 160 hp loses to 5 generation 3.0 at 170 hp on power, torque (330 vs 334 or 353), hp/l, and measured kerb. Turbo on 4 generation 4.2 (145 hp) versus No on 4 generation 4.2 (125 hp) is the 20 hp / ~58 Nm step that actually shows up in the table.

Reliability / problems. The catalogue does not measure failure rates, oil capacity, engine mounts, or service life. Those searches have no numbers here; they are not measured.

Safari vs Patrol / Land Cruiser. This file is Nissan Safari only. No Patrol or Land Cruiser figures are in the data, so those comparisons are not measured.

Pick by the row name plus the horsepower (and, where the name still collides, torque, tank, or valves). The 23 versions are not 23 unique badges: they are a small set of displacements with gearbox, boost, and kerb as the real forks.