While everyone is driving Toyota Hiluxes these days, there are some bakkies on our roads that are decidedly sexier. If good looks are just as important to you as comfort, tech, safety and performance, these 3 hot bakkies will surely blow your hair back.
Please note that this is only my opinion, but most of the ladies in the AutoTrader office agree with this list.
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1. Volkswagen Amarok 3.0TDI double cab Aventure 4Motion
The Amarok takes my top spot because of its blend of American and German flair. While the layout is not much different from what you'll find in the Ranger (on which it is based), the stylish details are enough to move it into first place.
The Aventura model is lavishly equipped and features high-tech semi-autonomous equipment such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep assistance, and even lumbar support for the driver, while the rear seat folds for more storage space. We also like having the surround view cameras and park assist system to safely get into or out of any tight spot. (Find out if the Amarok is a good fit for families, here.)
But lastly, it wins because it just looks so good and I felt so good driving it - that 3.0-litre diesel V6 is smooth as butter and I like having all that torque to my disposal. Power figures for this Amarok are rated at 184kW and 600 Nm to make overtaking trucks a cinch. The 10-speed gearbox is slick and its towing capacity of 3500 kg is another selling point.
Also consider: Mitsubishi Triton (The 2024 Flagship model is now available).
2. Ford Ranger Wildtrak X
Not everybody needs a V6 bakkie, but if you still want glamorous good looks, hardcore off-road prowess and excellent value, the Ford Ranger 2.0 BiTurbo double cab Wildtrak X 4WD, at R 1 040 600, should be on your short-list.
Featuring a more sporty interior with suede surfaces, the Wildtrak X offers amazing on-road as well as off-road comfort and the same 10-speed gearbox that does duty in the Amarok. If you're the outdoorsy type who fancies going on serious 4x4 excursions on weekends, the Wildtrak X has all the bells and whistles (like Trail Turn Assist) along plenty of semi-self-driving technology (like Adaptive cruise control) that the Amarok also has. With its 2.0-litre bi-turbo engine with 154kW and 500 Nm, it's also lighter on diesel but has the same 3500 kg towing capacity as the Amarok. You can also accessorise it to your heart's content. (Did we mention it was the winner of 2023 SA Car of the Year?)
Also consider: New Toyota Hilux Raider 48V
3. Nissan Navara PRO-2X (or PRO-4X)
The Navara is such an underrated bakkie but local buyers are sitting up and taking notice, finally: the Navara takes the no 5 spot in the list of Top 10 best-selling bakkies in South Africa (June 2024).
But, us glamorous folks don't just want any Navara, we would prefer one of the top-tier Pro-X derivatives, thank you very much. I love the sporty-looking leather seats that are multi-adjustable, the attractive styling, as well as the standard adaptive cruise control with lane departure warning and a host of other intelligent safety features, similar to the spec found in the two above-mentioned bakkies. (Chad's full review of the Navara can be read here.)
While there is a (4x4) PRO-4X model, perhaps you do not need low-range, and in that case, the rear-wheel-driven Navara 2.5DDTi double cab PRO-2X will do nicely and is well-priced (compared to the other bakkies on this list), at R770 600. Both the PRO-2X and PRO-4X are powered by the 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine with 140kW and 450Nm of torque.
Should you insist on the flagship four-wheel-drive model, the Pro-4X 4x4 retails for 832 400. Here's a colour and price guide for the entire lineup.
Also consider: Isuzu 1.9 X-Rider 4x4 A/T
ENDS
