Buying a new 4×4 double-cab bakkie for the price of a VW Polo in South Africa

South African motorists with a VW Polo-sized budget burning a hole in their pocket may want to look at the alternatives at similar prices, including a recently introduced 4×4 double-cab Chinese bakkie.

The Polo hatch has become so synonymous with South Africa over the years that every single unit on the road is locally built, including the models shipped across the globe.

The latest version was introduced in 2022, and it looks set to remain a popular offering.

One concern for local car shoppers is its price, considering that the Polo is marketed as an affordable hatchback, but demands nearly R400,000 for its base derivative.

For this price, buyers can expect a turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol engine, producing 70kW and 175Nm in the nameless entry-level and Life models, which feature a five-speed manual gearbox.

The automatic Life and the R-Line are fitted with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and see their power outputs boosted to 85kW and 200Nm.

All four of these versions boast a frugal average fuel consumption of around 5.4l/100km.

At the top of the range, shoppers will find the Polo GTI, a hot hatch fitted with a 2.0 TSI motor capable of producing 147kW and 320Nm, combined with a six-speed DSG gearbox.

Standard equipment starts with 14-inch steel wheels, LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, electric side mirrors, a multifunction steering wheel, manual air conditioning, cloth seats, six airbags, a digital cockpit display, four speakers, and an 8-inch infotainment screen with Bluetooth and App-Connect.

The R-Line gains 16-inch Valencia alloy rims, two more speakers, front and rear parking sensors, cruise control, sports seats, dual-zone climate control, and a leather steering wheel with paddle shifters.

At the top of the range, the GTI features redesigned front and rear bumpers, 17-inch alloy wheels, and automatic matrix LED headlights, along with GTI-unique seats and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.

Prices for the Polo hatchback line-up in South Africa are as follows:

• VW Polo hatch 1.0TSI – R373,800
• VW Polo hatch 1.0TSI Life Manual – R420,800
• VW Polo hatch 1.0TSI Life Auto – R445,400
• VW Polo hatch 1.0TSI R-Line – R499,100
• VW Polo GTI – R585,800

A double-cab bakkie for the same price

Should you not have your heart set on a brand new Polo and are open to something newer and quite a bit bigger, the Chinese JMC Vigus may pique your interest.

Priced from under R400,000, the new Vigus is available in three specifications, including two rear-wheel drive variants and a top-spec 4×4 version.

All three derivatives of the Vigus use the same turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder diesel engine, which produces 123kW and 430Nm, coupled with a six-speed manual gearbox in the entry-level model, and an eight-speed automatic in higher variants.

The entire range is capable of carrying a load up to 915kg, and while their towing capacity is yet to be confirmed, the previous version was capable of towing 1,650kg.

In terms of styling, the Vigus features a bold logo displayed in large lettering, wedged in between a pair of LED daytime running lights, while its wide body features lines to enhance its “muscular” look.

Inside, the Vigus features ergonomic seats designed by Lear, as well as a respectable tech suite, including a 12.8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 9-inch floating instrument cluster.

All three trim levels feature a multifunction steering wheel, air conditioning, manually adjustable front seats, cruise control, tyre pressure monitoring, and rear parking sensors.

The top-spec version adds a rearview camera, electronic stability control, hill assist, and hill descent control.

The South African pricing for the new JMC Vigus is as follows:

• JMC Vigus Double Cab 4×2 6MT – R399,900
• JMC Vigus Double Cab 4×2 8AT – R459,900
• JMC Vigus Double Cab 4×4 8AT – R499,900

As such, the base-spec Polo is still more than R20,000 cheaper, but the middle-of-the-pack models are much closer in price, while the top-of-the-range GTI is a whopping R85,000 more than the 4×4 double-cab Vigus.