The Chinese bakkie coming after the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger in South Africa

While the Toyota Hilux remains South Africa’s undisputed king of bakkies and the Ford Ranger a close second, a new, unlikely rival has emerged – the GWM P300.

This is according to Top Chinese Car Brands, which ranks the best-performing Chinese manufacturers in South Africa.

It noted that three different stories are playing out in the local double-cab bakkie market at once.

In this segment, which the Automotive Business Council (Naamsa) data highlights as one of the country’s highest-volume vehicle categories, Toyota remains near-unassailable while Ford has refined its line-up.

At the same time, GWM’s latest P300 model is trying to win over new buyers using pricing, specifications, and after-sales ownership cover, rather than badge history.

According to Top Chinese Car Brands, Toyota and Ford dominate for good reason, with the Hilux maintaining an iron-clad track record and resale value, while the Ranger wins with variety and refinement.

It noted that the new Hilux’s 2.8-litre turbodiesel motor produces 150kW and 500Nm, with 4×4 derivatives rated to tow 3,500kg and a payload capacity close to a tonne depending on configuration.

“Those numbers are competitive rather than class-leading, but the Hilux’s real strength has always been elsewhere: an enormous dealer and parts network, decades of proven reliability data, and consistently the strongest resale values in the segment.”

Alongside it, the Ranger gives buyers more genuine engine variety than either rival, from a 2.0-litre turbodiesel through a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel to a 222kW 2.3-litre EcoBoost, all rated to tow up to 3,500kg.

“The Ranger is also widely regarded as the most car-like to drive of the three, with sharper steering and a more settled ride, particularly in higher-spec derivatives,” it said.

“That refinement comes at the cost of a service plan no longer being standard equipment, which is worth factoring into your ownership budget rather than assuming it’s included.”

This is where the P-Series has the clearest advantage, and according to Top Chinese Car Brands, it isn’t a close contest.

GWM backs the P300 with a 7-year/200,000km warranty, a 7-year/75,000km service plan and 7 years of roadside assistance.

Toyota supports the current-generation Hilux with a 3-year/100,000km warranty and a 9-service/90,000km plan, and the Ranger offers a 4-year/120,000km warranty, with its service plan an optional extra rather than standard.

“If long-term ownership cover matters more to you than badge history, the P300’s paperwork is genuinely stronger than either established rival’s.”

The competition heats up most when it comes to towing and carrying performance, since all like-for-like 4×4 double cab derivatives across the three models sit at or near 3,500kg, with payload figures within a similar band.

None of these has a particular advantage for a typical family or light-commercial use, unless a buyer plans to haul payloads close to these vehicles’ upper limits.

A threat to the Hilux and Ranger

While the Hilux and Ranger continue to outsell the P-Series by quite a bit, the GWM does pose a significant threat to the big-hitters, especially as Chinese brands gain traction and popularity in our market.

Below is a look at the three bakkies in their cheapest double-cab derivatives. Click on their underlined prices for more information on each model.

Toyota Hilux 2.4GD-6 SR

• Price – R583,500
• Power – 110kW/400Nm
• Fuel consumption – 7.1l/100km
• Towing capacity – 2,750kg
• Payload capacity – 875kg

Ford Ranger 2.0 SiT XL

• Price – R624,900
• Power – 125kW/405Nm
• Fuel consumption – 6.8l/100km
• Towing capacity – 2,400kg
• Payload capacity – 1,127kg

GWM P300 2.0T SX

• Price – R446,950
• Power – 120kW/400Nm
• Fuel consumption – 9.0l/100km
• Towing capacity – 2,250kg
• Payload capacity – 1,050kg