GWM leads the pack
South African Bakkie of the Year
The 2024 South African Bakkie of the Year (SABOTY) competition concluded with notable results, including the first-ever hybrid winner and the first win by a Chinese manufacturer.The GWM P500 HEV Ultra Luxury 4x4 9AT was crowned the overall winner, excelling in multiple categories, including towing, driving dynamics, and off-road capability.
The competition, held at the NAMPO Cape Exhibition in Bredasdorp in South Africa, involved extensive tests in four categories: engine power, 4x4 performance, off-road ability, and towing.
The GWM P500 HEV impressed judges with its high-quality interior, excellent ride performance, and superior handling, securing wins in both its class and several individual categories. Its sibling, the GWM 2.4 T 9AT 4X4 Luxury, also won in its category, further highlighting the brand's success in the competition.
Categories and entrants
This year’s competition featured three power-based categories and a new specialist category for purpose-built 4x4 double-cab bakkies. Entrants were divided by engine power: Category A (100-125 kW), Category B (126-160 kW), Category C (161 kW and above), and the specialist category for high-performance vehicles. After evaluating performance across various disciplines, including cost of ownership and value for money, the winners were:
• 100-125 kW category: Foton Tunland G7 4x4 8AT TLX
• 126-160 kW category: GWM P500 2.4T 9AT 4X4 Luxury
• 161-200+ kW category: GWM P500 HEV Ultra Luxury 4x4 9AT
• Specialist category: Jeep Gladiator Rubicon 3.6 V6 8AT
The Isuzu D-MAX 1.9 X-Rider 4x4 AT was recognized for having the lowest cost of ownership.
Eligibility and participants
All double-cab 4x4 bakkies launched in Southern Africa between September 2023 and August 2024 were eligible. This year's participants included Ford, Foton, GWM, Isuzu, Jeep, and RAM, while manufacturers like Volkswagen, Mahindra, Mitsubishi, Nissan, and Toyota did not participate due to various reasons. The final entries came from Ford (Ranger Tremor), Foton (Tunland G7), GWM (P500 2.4 and HEV), Isuzu (D-MAX 1.9 X-Rider), Jeep (Gladiator Rubicon), and RAM (1500 Rebel and 2500 Laramie).
The competition’s dynamic tests, including acceleration, brake tests, and off-road evaluations, were conducted using VBOX technology. The fastest accelerating bakkies included the Ford Ranger Raptor, RAM 1500 Rebel, and the hybrid-powered GWM P500 HEV, which narrowly outpaced the RAM with a 0-100 km/h time of 7.3 seconds.
Off-road performance saw the Jeep Gladiator excel in wheel articulation and obstacle crossing, though its long wheelbase posed challenges on sharply angled terrain. The RAM 1500 Rebel performed impressively, thanks to its large standard tyres. Both GWM P500 models also shone, particularly in ride quality across different terrains.
Towing tests, carried out with a 1.5-ton Mobi Lodge Continental off-road caravan, showcased the capabilities of the RAM 2500 Laramie’s powerful 6.7-litre diesel engine, but the smaller displacement engines of the Isuzu and Foton models also performed admirably under tough conditions.
Dynamic handling and features
The Ford Ranger Tremor excelled in double-lane and slalom tests, while the GWM P500 models and the RAM 1500 Rebel impressed with their high levels of interior and exterior equipment and superior ride quality. Throughout the competition, aspects such as cost of ownership, insurance, tyre replacement, fuel costs, and depreciation were factored into the final evaluations.
The 2024 SABOTY competition showcased the rapid evolution of the bakkie market, highlighting impressive advances in technology, performance, and design. The GWM P500 HEV’s historic win as both the first hybrid and the first Chinese-manufactured bakkie to claim the top prize underscored the competition’s changing dynamics. With new models and categories, the contest continues to reflect the growing diversity and competitiveness of the bakkie sector.