Roadtrip Review: Isuzu KB 250 X-Rider double cab

X-Riders on the storm

By Ané Theron

Now, if ever there was a bakkie that evoked salacious looks, the Isuzu KB 250 X-Rider double cab is one. Dolled up to the extreme with a black sports bar, side steps, red X-Rider badging, blacked out B-pillars, a black grille/bumper guard with integrated fog lights and sexy diamond-cut alloy wheels, this bakkie did not go unnoticed anywhere.

The X-Rider was available in limited numbers a while back, but did so well that GMSA decided to bring it back for good. And I’m glad they did. Even though this decidedly glamorous-but-butch set of wheels is not a 4x4, it is fitted with an optional rear diff lock. My partner and I are both Isuzu lovers (his workhorse is an Isuzu single cab) so we were chuffed that we’d have the X-Rider double cab for our adventure.

Nothing like the open road

We were looking for dirt. Not celebrity gossip magazine dirt, but real dirt. Gravel. Mud. Whatever! As long as we could get those 255/50 ‘Grabber’ all-terrain tyres unclean.

Leg number one of our journey was beautifully untarred Hawston View Road that crosses over the Van der Stel Pass, and then turns off onto a good gravel road that leads to Greyton, where we stopped for supplies. The small, but well-stocked Greyton Village Grocer had an array of the best local produce, from award-winning wines to meat and chocolate, and we filled our cooler bags to the brim! The picturesque and quaint village of Greyton is a lush little oasis with a range of charming restaurants and accommodations, and we vowed to be back as soon as our schedules allowed.

Impromptu adventure

Our initial plan was to head to McGregor, but all the B&Bs were full and we were left somewhat destitute. What’s close to McGregor? Greyton was at its capacity as well, and the only place with room for us was in Bonnievale, 50 km away. Since neither of us had ever spent a night in Bonnievale, we could see no reason not to go. On our way out of Greyton, we noticed a pretty picnic area just outside of town, and stopped for photos. Not realizing how sandy the surface was, I had a moment of panic, but the sand was not too soft and we got out without having to deflate the tyres. Phew!

Next stop: Bonnievale

Once you get to the other side of Greyton, the R406 takes you to the N2, and from there you take the gravel R317 to Bonnievale.  The R406 is heavily potholed and in need of some TLC, but the Isuzu was the right bakkie for the job. The X-Rider’s suspension dealt with the most obscene undulations in a professional and unflinching manner. With traction control engaged, I was safely having a ball on the gravel, and the Isuzu’s wheels conjured up gigantic dust clouds behind us as I drove along. The X-Rider’s safety features comprise ABS with EBD, brake assist, the above mentioned Electronic Stability Control (with traction control), side-impact protection beams and 2 airbags.

N2, what happened next?

There was a general feeling of disappointment as the gravel road ended and we turned onto the boring and busy old N2. At least now we could listen to some 80’s rock CDs my partner packed for us, without too much exterior noise. The sound quality is not fantastic and the whole system needs a bit of an update, but we were jiving to the hit singles of our (early) childhood, nonetheless, and the system also has Bluetooth. There are satellite controls on the steering wheel for easy access to the system’s settings.

After tucking into our designer chicken mayo sarmies, we spotted another dirt road to our left, 20 kilometres later: the dirty, pretty R317. Our fuel tank was looking pretty too - pretty full, according to our trip computer. At 8 litres per 100 km (12.5 litres per km) we wouldn’t need to fill up again for the duration of our trip. And it’s not like I ever felt the 2.5-litre turbo-diesel needed more zest - The 100 kW and 320 Nm engine is powerful enough. And with a (braked) towing capacity of 2.1 tonnes (and a 1020 kg  payload), the X-Rider will fulfil the everyday needs of the modern, outdoor-loving family. The X-Rider gets a standard tow-bar hitch too.

Cross every stream

In order for us to get into town via the scenic route, we’d have to cross a stream - sure, there was an alternative, but where’s the fun in that? My partner actually took off his pants to test the depth and strength of the water flow (the trouserless photos had to be deleted, unfortunately), and was satisfied that we’d be able to cross without getting washed away (imagine explaining that to Volkswagen SA). The X-Rider’s wading depth of 600 mm, helped as well.

Beausoleil Guest House

Safely on the other side, we eventually reached our lovely lodging for the night - modern, yet characterful Beausoleil river cottage,  complete with a romantic fireplace and cows grazing in a pasture next door. The river is a short stroll away.

The friendly caretaker also came by with baskets of firewood for the night. After unpacking the most important items, we headed into town - the caretaker said the best place for an informal, hearty meal is called Filly & Vine, within walking distance.

“Are these prices per bottle, or per glass?”, I asked the waiter, upon perusing the extensive wine list. The wines are ridiculously affordable, and since we weren’t driving back, we ordered a bottle of easy-drinking Pinotage. The food did not blow my hair back, but the fact that you can buy a decent bottle of wine at a restaurant for under R90, sure did.

The X-Rider

I’m a lady who loves a bakkie, and the outdoor-action-style X-Rider fulfils my fantasy of a rough, sexy, tough, masculine, high-riding bakkie with a clearly audible turbo-diesel engine! I think the clanking engine noise actually adds to the masculine appeal, and reminds me of happy times driving along the beach in northern KZN (when it was still legal), many years ago. Why does a bakkie have to be so car-like in order to be perceived as good these days? The ride was always comfortable, regardless of the surface. There’s plenty of space on the back seat, and ample legroom. It’s family- (and family dog) friendly, and feels durable. I love the grey leather seats with their red topstitching and red X-Rider badging. Sure, the dash is all hard plastics and the radio system is a bit basic, but considering the price of R388 400 (without the optional rear diff lock), the X-Rider packs a good value-punch. The driver’s seat felt sufficiently supportive and I didn’t feel like I needed to get out and stretch every 50 kilometres.

Anything irksome?

The switching of the gears on the 5-speed manual ‘box is still very bakkie-like, sometimes slightly stiff, not very smooth - and somehow I find myself warming to another one of its idiosyncrasies. Once you’ve been on the road for a couple of kays, it does get better, though.

A definite gripe is the lack of park distance control. When you’re driving a large, long vehicle in this day and age, it’s an absolute must, and I twisted my neck into every direction to make sure there was nothing behind me. Yet it’s no deal-breaker. You can fit rear parking sensors for under a thousand bucks these days.

The numbers

Name: Isuzu KB 250 X-Rider 4x2 double cab

Price: R388 400

Engine: 2.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo-diesel

Driven wheels: Rear

Transmission: 5-speed manual

Power: 100 kW

Torque: 320 Nm

Seats: 5 persons

Fuel tank: 80 litres

Realistic fuel consumption: 8 litres per 100km (average)

Range (based on average): 960 km

Also consider: Ford Ranger