Get good value for your money

18 GWM Steed 300x200 Get good value for your money

At less than R150 000, the steed bakkie is good value for money.

GWM’s Steed bakkies really are extremely good value for money.

You can buy a brand-new, good-quality single cab Steed bakkie for under R150 000.

We tested the 2.0 Vvt diesel a few months ago (October 2013 issue) and said it was good value.

This petrol version is even better value for money.

But beware, time is running out – the Steed 6 will be coming out in winter 2014 and will cost probably 15% more.

The Steed 5 should remain available for the rest of this year and perhaps into 2015.

The increased cost of the new model is caused in part by the rising quality and by a slight increase in size.

As far as I can tell, the Steed 5 is as good as any previous-generation Japanese bakkie.

Why a petrol bakkie?

This is the subject of a full report in the next edition but, in a nutshell, this petrol bakkie is almost R50 000 cheaper than its diesel equivalent and, in town, petrol is probably as economical.

Only on the open road does diesel beat petrol.

I was very impressed with the fuel consumption of around ten to 11 litres per 100 km.

It is not very powerful, but does the job. Acceleration is adequate but a little laboured when fully laden.

The road-holding reminds one of the previous KB, which is a good thing.

This bakkie is a pleasure to drive. The weight of the power steering seems to be just right. Gear changes are easy and smooth.

I found the brakes well balanced and fade-free under normal circumstances.

The Steed comes equipped with air-conditioning, radio and power steering as standard.

The cabin is typical of a workhorse bakkie – fairly spartan, but well put together and with cup and bottle holders and various storage spots.

The seats are comfortable and the steering position relaxed.

The Steed 2.2 is also available in five colours.

The double cab has leather seats, electric windows, height-adjustable steering, and alloy wheels.

I did not hear or feel any rattles, squeaks or evidence of shoddy workmanship or materials.

At less than R180 000 for this double cab, it is a no-brainer. It has no real competition at its price point.

The Steed 5 2.2i Single Cab costs R144 900, the Steed 5 2.2i Double Cab Lux R176 900, and the 2.5 turbo-diesel single cab 4×2 R194 900.

The 2.0 Vvt 4×4 DC we tested last year cost R274 000.

Also look at the single cab Nissan NP300 (R159 900), the Mahindra Bolero (R144 900), the Tata Xenon (R149 995) and the Foton Thunda.

All Steed bakkies come with a three-year or 100 000 km warranty.

GWM Steed, Mahindra Bolero, motoring, Tata Xenon, Wallace du Plessis

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