Features / 16 August 2026 / Warren Hawkins

10 double-cab bakkies you can buy under R500,000 in South Africa

Bakkie buyers looking to avoid stretching their budget too far or overspending on a double-cab are in luck, as South Africa has no fewer than ten options under R500,000 to choose from.

Bakkies are undeniably South Africa’s favourite vehicle type, with three bakkies making their way into the top five best-selling cars, and a bakkie taking top spot on the rankings month after month.

That being said, many of these purchases comprise single-cab sales, with double-cab offerings often outside many buyers’ realistic spending limits.

Still, there are several well-priced options to choose from, mostly from Chinese or Indian manufacturers, and a few surprise entrants on the sub-R500,000 list.

This list naturally includes the cheapest double-cab on sale in South Africa right now, the JAC T8, with a starting price of only R349,900.

For this price, buyers can expect a 2.0-litre turbodiesel motor mated to a six-speed manual transmission, sending 104kW and 320Nm to the rear wheels.

This configuration allows the double-cab bakkie to reach a top speed of 150km/h, and maintain an average fuel consumption of 7.8l/100km.

The primary role of the T8 is to serve as a workhorse, making its 900kg carrying capacity and 2,000kg towing capacity ideal at this price point.

Two more double-cab bakkies manage to sneak in under the R400,000 price point – the Foton Tunland G7 and the JMC Vigus – both retailing for R399,900.

These offer similar power outputs thanks to their turbocharged diesel motors and six-speed manual transmissions.

The Foton produces 120kW and 390Nm, thanks to its 2.0-litre turbo diesel block driving the rear wheels and maintaining an average fuel consumption of 9.0l/100km.

The Vigus, on the other hand, produces slightly more power at 123kW and 410Nm due to its bigger 2.5-litre turbo diesel motor, which also achieves a lower 7.0l/100km average fuel consumption.

South Africa’s cheapest double-cab bakkies

Bakkie buyers expanding their search for an affordable double-cab beyond the R400,000 mark up to R500,000 will find several more options to choose from.

Below is a list of the double-cab bakkies you can buy in South Africa for under half a million rand. Click on their underlined prices to learn more about each model.