Every 4×4 double-cab bakkie you can buy in South Africa under R500,000

While the majority of bakkies are rear-wheel-drive, all-wheel-drive (AWD) or 4×4 bakkies offer South African buyers improved off-road capabilities, which is true even of the handful of budget options in our market.

There are no less than four AWD bakkies available in South Africa for less than R500,000, with three originating in China, and one built locally.

This is none other than the Mahindra Pik Up, which, despite being a product of an Indian carmaker, has become one of the country’s favourite bakkies, prompting Mahindra to introduce an exclusive range in South Africa.

The bakkie, which is currently being assembled semi-knocked-down (SKD) at the manufacturer’s plant at the Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone near Durban, may soon be put together entirely at the facility.

The Pik Up is fitted with a 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine producing 103kW and 320Nm, which is mated to a six-speed manual transmission, enabling the double-cab to carry 995kg and 2,500kg.

Other options available to local buyers are the popular GWM P300, JMC Vigus Pro, and the JAC T8 Lux.

The latter is the cheapest of the bunch, demanding only R449,900 from buyers for a 4×4 double-cab bakkie fitted with a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel motor generating 104kW and 320Nm.

Coupled to a six-speed manual transmssion, the bakkie burns through 7.8 litres of diesel every 100km, and while its top speed is only 150km/h, the bakkie can carry 900kg, and tow two tonnes.

The remaining two offerings barely squeeze in under the R500,00 threshold, with the JMC Vigus Pro retailing for R100 less than that, and the GWM P300 only making it onto the list by R50.

That being said, both models feature 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel powertrains, which is mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox in the Vigus, producing 104kW and 350Nm.

GWM instead linked their 2.0-litre motor, which produces 120kW and 400Nm to a six-speed manual transmission.

South Africa’s most affordable AWD double-cab bakkies

The affordable AWD double-cab bakkies on sale in South Africa show that buying a bakkie does not need to break the bank.

Below are all of the options available to buyers right now. Click on their underlined prices for more information about each.

1. JAC T8 Lux

• Starting price – R449,900
• Power – 104kW/320Nm
• Fuel consumption – 7.8l/100km
• Load capacity – 900kg
• Towing capacity – 2,000kg

2. Mahindra Pik Up

• Starting price – R454,249
• Power – 103kW/320Nm
• Fuel consumption – 7.9l/100km
• Load capacity – 995kg
• Towing capacity – 2,500kg

3. JMC Vigus Pro

• Starting price – R499,900
• Power – 104kW/350Nm
• Fuel consumption – 8.2l/100km
• Load capacity – 855kg
• Towing capacity – 1,650kg

4. GWM P300

• Starting price – R499,950
• Power – 120kW/400Nm
• Fuel consumption – 10.0l/100km
• Load capacity – 1,050kg
• Towing capacity – 2,250kg