Working class heroes: Here’s what SA’s least expensive double cab bakkies have to offer
From the JAC T8 to the Mahindra Pik Up, affordable double cab bakkies are giving South African buyers more choice. We look at five of the cheapest options and what they offer.
In South Africa's working-class market, increasingly powerful and feature-packed double cab bakkies have become the norm, leaving the traditional underdog bakkies in the dust. However, a growing number of budget-friendly options have emerged from India, China, and India, challenging the dominance of Japanese and European brands.
These low-frills models offer a surprisingly cost-effective solution for South African working-class individuals, all while retaining the ruggedness, capability, and durability expected from a bakkie.
The Mahindra Pik Up, an Indian-made model, has been a fixture in South Africa for over two decades. SKD (Subcontracted and Designed in India) assembled locally, the Pik Up is ready to take on the competition with its 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine, which delivers an impressive 103kW and 320Nm of power. The Pik Up is available in a range of models, with the S6 and S11 trim grades and various editions such as Karoo, Dusk, Dew, Storm, Mist, and Pestilence.
Its payload capacity of 1,095kg and braked towing capacity of 2,500kg make it a strong contender in its price bracket. Fuel efficiency is listed at 7.7 litres per 100km, though real-world figures may be higher. The interior of the S6 is rather basic, offering a conventional radio with USB connectivity and manual air conditioning, cruise control, and powered windows and mirrors.
Safety features include dual front airbags and ABS, though no stability control is included. Mahindra offers a comprehensive warranty and service plan, providing peace of mind for buyers.
JMC's Vigus, a brand new entrant in the double cab market, aims to shake things up with its modern and digitised design. Available in manual, automatic, and 4x4 versions, the Vigus starts at R399,900 and goes up to R499,900. The cabin is spacious and well-equipped, featuring a large 12.8-inch 'floating' touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a 9.0-inch digital instrument cluster.
Manual air conditioning, electric windows and mirrors, rear park distance control, and a multifunction steering wheel are standard across all models. The Vigus is powered by a 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine that delivers 123kW and 410Nm of power, and comes with a generous warranty and service plan.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
