5 Underrated Bakkies in South Africa

When it comes to pick-up trucks, called bakkies in South Africa, locals have seriously intense brand loyalty. For years, the vast majority of bakkies on South African roads have been Toyotas, Fords, and Isuzus, with other brands grabbing small chunks of the market here and there.

Take the Toyota Hilux, for example. Whether you’re a farmer, civil engineer, contractor, or simply a city-slicker wanting to enjoy a high riding position and the occasional off-road meander, it’s simply the perfect bakkie. Its legendary reliability and versatility have made it a staple of South African motoring alongside its close competitor, the Ford Ranger.

However, there are more bakkie models on the local market than ever before, ranging from unfamiliar Chinese pick-ups to left-field entries from well-known brands like Peugeot and Mercedes-Benz. Kia will launch its Tasman bakkie later this year, while Mitsubishi recently launched the all-new Triton. With that in mind, now is the time to shine a spotlight on underrated bakkie options that don’t typically make the headlines. Learn more about them below.

Mitsubishi Triton: Old Dog With New Tricks

View of a Mitsubishi Triton parked on a field

Although not quite as famous as the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux in South Africa, the Mitsubishi Triton has some serious bakkie pedigree. In fact, the Japanese company has sold over 5.6 million of them across 150 countries, including back when the Triton was the Mitsubishi Colt.

Today, it’s no longer the simple workhorse that made the Colt such a popular model. Instead, the Triton is a fully-fledged passenger vehicle with all the niceties you’d expect in a sedan or SUV. Furthermore, it now has a braked towing capacity of 3,500 kg, putting its towing skills on par with its more popular competitors.

All that is thanks to a new 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine that produces 135 kW of power and 430 Nm of torque. Buyers can choose between a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, plus the added benefit of Mitsubishi’s tried-and-tested 4×4 system.

Early reviews peg the Triton as a much more refined version of its predecessor, with better handling and lighter steering both on and off-road. Inside the higher-spec models, you get wireless phone charging, leather seats, and an 8-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Mitsubishi will launch an even more powerful version in 2025, equipped with a larger bi-turbo engine that produces 150 kW and 470 Nm.

Kia Tasman: South Korea Joins the Fight

External view of a Kia Tasman parked on a dirt road

Kia simply can’t resist entering the leisure-segment bakkie market. The Kia Tasman was conceived to take advantage of Australia’s love for pick-ups, but it’s likely the South Korean vehicle will be quite popular in South Africa, too. While South Africans might not see value in a workhorse version, Kia is likely to limit local variants to high-spec double-cab models.

Based on launches in other markets, Cars.co.za predicts that we will get the X-Line and X-Pro trim levels. These both come standard with all-wheel drive and automatic transmissions, paired with a 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine that produces 154 kW of power and 441 Nm of torque. That’s roughly on par with the equivalent Ford Ranger double cab and slightly more powerful than both the Toyota Hilux 2.8 GD-6 and the Isuzu D-Max 3.0 TD.

All-wheel drive variants also boast Mud, Snow, and Rock modes, with the X-Pro benefitting from X-Trek mode. This works with the automatic rear Electronic Locking Differential to enable the bakkie to maintain low speeds off-road without the need for driver input – aside from steering, of course.

But let’s talk about the Kia Tasman’s looks. Compared to other bakkies in South Africa, it’s certainly anything but standard. Flared wheel arches, boxy, futuristic lights, and plenty of hard-wearing trimming make it look fully capable of conquering African conditions.

Meanwhile, the interior will certainly give other bakkies a run for their money. Some are already calling it “the best interior in any bakkie”, and it’s typical of Kia’s commitment to practicality and build quality. You also get three screens that create a panoramic dashboard, while even the bakkie’s load bed gets LED illumination, a 220 V power outlet, and a sliding cargo floor.

GWM P500: China’s Big Bakkie

Front external view of GWM P500

Giant, American-style bakkies are a rarity on South African roads, but GWM has brought the same kind of styling and bulk with its P500 double cab. Built to compete in the tightly contested leisure segment, it takes design cues from the Dodge Ram and Ford F150 and combines them with a value proposition that might steal market share from more recognised brands.

And, while some buyers will squint their eyes at the R1 million price point, GWM isn’t the unknown Chinese manufacturer it used to be. Today, its Haval sub-brand is taking South Africa by storm. The P500 also comes standard with many features that Hilux and Ranger buyers will have to pay extra for.

The GMW P500 shares much with its SUV sibling, the GWM Tank 500, but retains the load bed that will make it popular with weekend warriors and part-time off-roaders. It also boasts premium features like a panoramic sunroof, heated seats with massage functions, and an incredibly modern and high-tech interior, plus a Harman Infinity sound system.

Like its smaller sibling, the P-Series, the P500 can virtually park itself. It also has a split tailgate that makes loading and unloading a breeze, as well as a whole host of safety features.

Then there’s the powertrain.

GWM has combined its 2-litre turbopetrol engine with a mild hybrid system to give the P500 255 kW of power and 648 Nm of torque. That’s miles beyond anything its competitors are currently capable of. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, this behemoth is remarkably nimble and smooth.

JAC T9: Tough and Affordable

External view of a JAC T9 driving over a stream

Being one of the smaller Chinese automotive manufacturers, JAC is still working hard to make inroads in South Africa. However, key to its local offerings is the JAC T9, a mid-sized bakkie that presents a significantly more affordable option for potential buyers. The top-spec Super Lux option retails for just R659,000, slashing hundreds of thousands of Rands off the prices of more recognised double cabs like the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger.

You certainly get bang for your buck. Standard features on all models include a tyre pressure monitoring system, keyless entry, a powered rear tailgate, front and rear parking sensors, and a reverse camera. Inside, you get leather seats, a digital instrument cluster, wireless phone charging, and a 10.4 inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Super Lux trim level adds an auto dimming rearview mirror, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, a power sunroof, and a 360° camera. However, for all its features, the one area where you’ll find the JAC T9 lacking is in the engine bay. All models make use of a 2 l turbodiesel that puts out 125 kW of power and 410 Nm of torque, falling short of most rivals. However, it does boast a silky eight-speed automatic transmission.

Despite the low power output, the T9 has a 3,500 kg braked towing capacity and multi-link rear suspension that gives it SUV-like handling. And, with a five-year/100,000 km warranty and service plan, if you do go with the Chinese option, you’ll have long-term peace of mind that if anything goes wrong, you’ll be covered.

Peugeot Landtrek: The French Option

External view of a Peugeot Landtrek parked on a rugged desert landscape

Back in 2020, French manufacturer Peugeot rocked the world of pick-ups by introducing the Landtrek to emerging markets like South Africa and Latin America. So, despite being a European vehicle, it’s not available anywhere in Europe. It finally reached our shores at the end of 2021, but has struggled to make a dent in consumer opinion since then. Despite that, it still presents buyers with awesome value for a reasonable price.

The Peugeot Landtrek shares plenty of bodywork with the Chinese Changan F70, but has the distinctive Peugeot look made popular by the 5008 SUV. All variants get a 1.9 l turbodiesel that produces 110 kW of power and 350 Nm of torque, making this one of the less powerful options in South Africa at the moment. High-spec models benefit from a six-speed automatic transmission.

In terms of looks, it’s going to be a subjective decision. The Landtrek certainly has a degree of curb appeal, but it does reflect a kind of styling associated with older versions of competitors like the Hilux and Ranger. However, the interior does boast an excellent 360° camera system that mitigates its large turning circle, as well as the same 10 inch infotainment system found in the Peugeot 5008.

Ultimately, the Landtrek isn’t a class-leading bakkie in any category, but it ticks many of the boxes and is certainly a head-turner, if only because it’s so uncommon on South African roads. But at a price point of R730,900 for the range-topping 4Action 4×4 model, it’s certainly worth exploring as an option.

There’s no doubt that the South African bakkie market will continue to be dominated by Toyota, Ford, and Isuzu for some years to come. However, gone are the days when it simply wasn’t worth the time to consider other options. With so many leisure segment bakkies coming to South African shores, buyers must weigh up whether trusted brands are worth the premium price – or whether the newcomers deserve a shot.

In the meantime, shop around for your dream bakkie by renting a 4×4 from Drive South Africa. Who knows? Your next rental could be just the thing that helps you make your big decision!