GWM is fast making a name for itself locally thanks to the onslaught of its SUV division, Haval. Great Wall Motors is the holding company for several sub-brands, of which Haval is one. Their business structure sees their light commercial efforts covered by the GWM brand, while SUVs fall under Haval. They also have a luxury arm known as WEY and an electric effort by the name of ORA. Each division is dedicated to creating the best vehicle they can in their respective segments and this helps each of them focus on one type of vehicle, without dividing efforts across too many platforms.
Related: GWM Steed 5E Xscape - Rolling with the big guns
GWM has been in South Africa a while and in that time they've released several models into the light commercial vehicle segment (bakkies), the Steed 5, Steed 5E, Steed 6 and more recently, the P-Series, aimed at the client looking for a leisure vehicle.
The Steed 5E is only available in a double cab format and comes in two trim levels, SX and Xcape, each with their own standard equipment list. We're interested in what sort of infotainment system they offer and how they fare against the Mahindra Pik Up from India and their Chinese counterpart, the JMC Vigus.
GWM Steed 5E
The Steed 5E is the proverbial middle child of the Steed range with the regular Steed 5 opening the act for it and the Steed 6 rounding off the arrangement. The two trims available to the Steed 5E, namely the SX and the Xcape see two different radio and infotainment systems fitted.
In the Steed 5E SX, you get a more traditional radio offering that will allow for AM/FM reception. This double-DIN unit includes a CD player and will accept USB and Aux inputs. This system does not have Bluetooth functionality but you do get steering wheel controls for basic audio functions.
The Xcape model is fitted with a double-DIN, full-colour touchscreen unit that will accept inputs from USB, Aux, and Bluetooth. This unit is devoid of a CD player but does allow for AM/FM radio reception. The OS of this system is simplistic but functional, however, the graphics will not be winning any contests any time soon.
Several buttons flank the screen and these include the volume control. Users also have the option of using the multifunction steering wheel for additional control.
Mahindra Pik Up
The Mahindra Pik Up is the Indian alternative to the GWM offerings but this also comes at a price. The entry-level S6 is approximately R5 000 more expensive than the range-topping GWM Steed 5E 2.0VGT Xcape and the prices only climb from there. If your budget is a little flexible, you can spring for the more upmarket, better equipped S10 or S11 models that will have more in the way of creature comforts.
The S6 version of the Mahindra Pik Up does get every basic radio system that takes up the double-DIN slot on the fascia. This unit does not have a touchscreen and is also devoid of a CD player. You do get Bluetooth functionality but there are no steering wheel controls for answering calls. All interactions take place on the bank of buttons off to each side of the radio unit. Two rotary knobs serve to adjust volume/power and track tuning seeking.
This unit also allows for input from USB and Aux sources.
JMC Vigus
The JMC Vigus is the lesser-known and even lesser-spotted of the three here today. Despite this, it is the cheapest of the three compared and you certainly are not short-changed on the infotainment front when it comes to the Vigus.
In the Vigus you will get a full-colour screen infotainment system that supports connections from Bluetooth, USB and Aux inputs. The dual-band radio receives AM and FM receptions and controls are both below the screen and on a multifunction steering wheel. The control interface is dominated by a large power/volume knob with track controls on either side. Further buttons allows for control of track selections, source control and equalizer settings.
While this system doesn't allow for a straight swap out with a standard double-DIN headunit from an aftermarket source, trim plates can be found online should you find the functionality to be limited.
