logo
Latest News
Follow
Thursday / 6 February 2025
HomeFeaturesSmall bakkies are officially dead in South Africa – Here are 5 alternatives

Small bakkies are officially dead in South Africa – Here are 5 alternatives

The demise of the Nissan NP200 in 2024, the last true compact bakkie on the market, marked the end of an era in South Africa.

There was once a time when nameplates like the NP200, Ford Bantam, Fiat Strada, Mazda Rustler, and Chevrolet Utility dominated the roads, however, the market has significantly changed over the last decade or so.

Today, none of these models are available as new anymore, leaving people and businesses on the lookout for affordable workhorses limited for choice.

That said, there is a rapidly growing new segment seeking to appeal to exactly these consumers, and that is the segment of crossover panel vans.

Manufacturers like Hyundai, Kia, Chery, Renault, and even Nissan are well aware that the demand for compact bakkies hasn’t subsided despite the continued exodus of these vehicles from showrooms.

They have thus launched their own alternatives, working with what they already have available in their stables.

Hyundai, for example, has produced a panel van version of the Venue crossover coined the Venue Cargo.

It does away with the rear bench to expand the cargo area to an impressive 1,296 litres, with durable rubber flooring as well as mesh window protection to protect the valuable goods that will be transported within.

Likewise, Kia followed a similar strategy with the Sonet Runner, and so has Chery with the Tiggo 4 Pro Panel Van, Renault with the Kiger Express, and Nissan with the Magnite Move.

While they may not offer the same utility as a fully-fledged bakkie, they are the next best thing you can currently buy brand new.

South Africa’s crossover workhorses

The list below details the pricing and specifications of five crossover panel vans you can currently buy in South Africa as an alternative to the likes of the Nissan NP200.

Click on the underlined prices for more information.


Nissan Magnite 1.0 Move Panel Van

  • Starting price – R224,900
  • Storage space – 690 litres
  • Maximum payload – 250kg
  • Power – 53kW/96Nm
  • Fuel consumption – 5.9l/100km
  • Warranty – 6-year/150,000km 
  • Service plan – N/A


Kia Sonet 1.5 LS Runner Panel Van

  • Starting price – R319,995
  • Storage space – N/A
  • Maximum payload – N/A
  • Power – 85kW/144Nm
  • Fuel consumption – 6.6l/100km
  • Warranty – 5-year/unlimited km 
  • Service plan – 3-year/45,000km


Hyundai Venue 1.2 Premium Cargo Panel Van

  • Starting price – R321,500
  • Storage space – 1,296 litres
  • Maximum payload – 620kg
  • Power – 61kW/115Nm
  • Fuel consumption – 6.5l/100km
  • Warranty – 5-year/150,000km + 2-year/50,000km drivetrain
  • Service plan – 3-year/45,000km


Renault Kiger 1.0 Turbo Express Panel Van

  • Starting price – R334,999
  • Storage space – N/A
  • Maximum payload – 415kg
  • Power – 74kW/160Nm
  • Fuel consumption – 5.0l/100km
  • Warranty – 5-year/150,000km 
  • Service plan – 2-year/30,000km


Chery Tiggo 4 Pro 1.5 LiT Panel Van

  • Starting price – R339,900
  • Storage space – 1,500 litres
  • Maximum payload – 360kg
  • Power – 83kW/138Nm
  • Fuel consumption – 7.0l/100km
  • Warranty – 5-year/150,000km vehicle + 10-year/1-million km engine
  • Service plan – 3-year/30,000km


Show comments