South Africa’s cheapest double-cab bakkie goes on sale – Pricing and features

Chinese bakkie builder JAC has launched the cheapest double-cab bakkie in South Africa, the T8 Comfort derivative.

Its R349,900 price makes it R50,000 cheaper than the previous cheapest double-cabs – a three-way tie between the JAC T8 Lux, the Foton Tunland G7, and the recently released JMC Vigus.

“After nearly a decade in South Africa, the T-Series now includes the new T8 Comfort derivative, introduced following extensive market research,” says Karl-Heinz Göbel, CEO of JAC Motors South Africa.

Beyond its low price, the T8 Comfort is also one of the most fuel-efficient bakkies on sale in South Africa, achieving 6.1l/100km efficiency at the Gerotek testing facility outside Pretoria.

“Gerotek testing confirmed what we already knew. Our bakkies deliver an exceptionally low total cost of ownership, driven by class-leading fuel efficiency that delights owners daily,” added Göbel.

Powertrain and performance

The T8 Comfort features a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine that has been standard in the range since 2023, and can also be found in the T6 single-cab

Paired with a six-speed manual transmission, the T8’s motor is capable of producing 104kW and 320Nm, affording it an average fuel consumption of 6.5l/100 km, while its 76-litre tank provides an approximate range of 1,100km.

The double-cab is 5,325mm long and 1,880mm wide, boasting a 3,090mm wheelbase, built on a ladder-frame with a double-wishbone front suspension and coil springs that reduce body roll and ensure lateral rigidity when loaded.

The rear is equipped with a leaf-spring suspension that can support a 900kg payload, thanks to its double-skinned, corrosion-resistant load box and four tie-down hooks.

The T8 Comfort also boasts a braked towing mass of 2,000kg.

Features

In terms of styling, JAC’s new double-cab features a honeycomb grille, LED headlamps with daytime running lights, bold wheel arches and 18-inch steel wheels, and is offered in six colours.

Inside the T8 Comfort is fitted with an adjustable multifunction leather-bound steering wheel, leatherette seats, a multi-information display, Bluetooth-enabled radio/MP3 player, and six speakers.

It also features USB and 12V sockets housed in a closable centre console, cruise control, manual air conditioning and electric windows.

Security and driver comforts include an immobiliser, remote central locking with auto-locking, child locks, electrically adjustable exterior mirrors, a high-mounted stop lamp, and rear park sensors.

The T8 is fitted with a range of safety and driver assist features, including driver and passenger airbags, traction control, vehicle dynamics control (VDC), electronic stability control (ESC), and hill-start hold control (HHC).

The bakkie also features electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), brake override system (BOS), hydraulic brake assist (HBA) and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

Pricing

Prices for the JAC T8 double-cab bakkie line-up in South Africa are as follows:

• T8 2.0L CTi 4×2 Comfort – R349,900 [New]
• T8 2.0L CTi 4×2 Lux: R399,900
• T8 2.0L CTi 4×4 Lux: R449,900

The Comfort includes a 5-year/100,000km warranty and roadside assistance, upgraded to a 5-year/200,000km warranty and a 5-year/100,000km service plan in the Lux variants.