Chery Grootman Double Cab First Drive

Two years ago, while attending the Chery Global User Summit, I caught a glimpse of the Chery KP31, a svelte double-cab offering that seemed like a radical departure from what we know the brand to produce. Invariably, this was an effort to capture the imagination of the Southern Hemisphere, where double cab bakkies (LCVs) make up a large percentage of the traffic; Australia, the South Americas, and us, South Africa.

You appeared quite taken with the prospect of a utilitarian Chery bakkie, and social media was abuzz with speculation and genuine interest. Chery leaned into this and polled the public, asking them what they thought the bakkie should be called. You settled on Grootman. I’ll reserve commentary on that one.

Finally, after 24 months, we have our first taste of the Grootman. The final specification is pending confirmation, but the variant we drove gave us a brief touch-and-feel.

Styling

The first mock-ups of the KP31 showed it matching the then-current Chery design language, with a front end similar to the larger Tiggo models and rather generic side and rear profiles. This has since changed, and while the South African specification is yet to be confirmed, we can see that the narrow LED headlights and large, octagonal grille have given way to a more robust front end and rounder headlights. The design borrows from the Ford Bronco, a trend all too familiar to South African buyers. It has a fairly distinctive presence compared with the other bakkies in the local market.

Black, unpainted trim along the sides suggests a rough-and-tumble nature, while the anthracite-black wheels and all-terrain tyres show intent. The tailgate is emblazoned with large Chery lettering on an unpainted black trim and flanked by upright LED taillights. A Ranger-esque step at the rear makes it easier to access the lined load bin.

Interior

We’ve come to expect a certain level of trim and luxury from the brand, its SUVs offering a cognac feel for only beer money. The Grootman continues this, even if some of it feels a little out of place in a vehicle that is suggesting an active lifestyle.

Our demo model was trimmed in a neutral black with silver accents, but a rich, camel leather interior, offset by black and silver trim elements, was also present. The darker configuration is more practical and will likely be the volume seller. It's unclear whether the brighter scheme will be available locally.

I was pleased to see the inclusion of physical buttons and rotary knobs for key features and functions. HVAC controls rest below the large, 15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while drive controls for the 4WD system are placed on either side of the chunky gear selector.

Fit and finish appear to be good, even if it may be erring on the side of luxury rather than hard-wearing, Sani-pass-ready.

Drivetrain

The Grootman does something no other bakkie in SA currently does: it combines plug-in hybrid technology with a turbodiesel engine.

Under the bonnet is a 2.5-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel producing 140 kW and 450 Nm torque, but when combined with the two electric motors, it yields a total output of 300 kW and 800 Nm.

Power is then sent to all four wheels through Chery’s DHT (Dedicated Hybrid Transmission) with front, centre, and rear locking differentials. It’s equipped with a 34 kWh battery, offering an electric-only range of approximately 100 km.

Driving impressions

We sampled the vehicle on a low-speed, low-risk off-road course that was properly waterlogged. Muddy ruts and slippery clay conditions meant we couldn’t truly get a feel for the off-road prowess, and the tarmac excursion was little more than a residential drive at residential speeds.

Still, it is up to us to feel the power delivery and get a sense of the suspension tuning. On the power front, the full-EV drive was smooth and quiet, only interrupted by road noise from the A/T tyres. When the diesel engine fired up, the transition was seamless, and the engine itself was nice and quiet. The Grootman pulls exceptionally strongly when you floor it, the low-RPM diesel torque and EV assistance lift the nose and fetch the horizon with intent. This torque delivery also made the small crests and obstacles of the off-road course child's play. Gear changes appeared smooth and drama-free; the throttle calibration was nice and responsive, without being nervous.

I have a few concerns about the suspension tuning, though. One can feel the added mass of the electrical system, and Chery seems to have tuned it rather firmly. Secondary ride is adequate, but the primary ride implies that you’re behind the wheel of a heavy, large LCV, and is nowhere near as supple as the perceived suspension travel would suggest.

The Grootman is large, though; it’s a hefty thing and more comparable to the LDV Terron 9 than a Ford Ranger. Some may battle to park it without the 360-degree camera to assist.

Verdict

It’s tough to come to a conclusive verdict after such a brief stint behind the wheel, but the Grootman shows promise. Pricing will naturally be key here, and if it can undercut the legacy brands sufficiently, the Grootman will find a place in a good number of South African driveways, especially among those with experience with the Chery brand locally.

We use our bakkies predominantly on-road, daily, tackling the daily tasks of commuting, school runs, and shopping mall excursions. The interior welcomes that. The 4WD system welcomes the weekends when the going gets a little tougher. But my concern is that the suspension is ill-suited to the school run, and the interior is ill-suited to the bush.