I remember the day clearly - about 6 years ago. My brother came to me with news disguised as a question. "What do you think of the GWM Steed bakkie?" he asked, to which I launched a diatribe on the counterfeit-rich Chinese motorcar industry, their poor build quality and reliability and so on. So caught up in my assault on the hastily cobbled together cars from the East was I that I didn’t notice his crestfallen face. He didn’t want my opinion at all, he wanted affirmation – as he’d already bought the damn thing.
Fast forward to now
I really enjoyed driving this, the GWM Steed 5E double-cab bakkie. Sure, it has the face of a counterfeit Amarok – but this is quite the upgrade to the old car’s Pokemon scowl. There’s a lot of Isuzu in its stylings and demeanour – which sends out all the right signals. That of an honest to goodness utility truck - a Chinese vehicle that I have no reservations recommending, surprising nobody more than me.
For the week I had it in my care I did everything with it, it was my daily companion on film shoots, road trips, school runs and as you can see in the photo on this page – it had the task of swallowing two mountain bikes into its load bay, Naturally this meant traversing gravel roads as well – with zero beats skipped.
For around R240k ours came with a relatively torquey 2.4litre engine and a comfy cabin complete with plenty of multimedia and connectivity options. Perhaps what the photo won’t show you however is the scale – think KB or Hilux circa 2010, before the whole lot of them became high of ride, and wide of arch. So it is smaller than you’d imagine – or rather, less in kerbside stature, but I’m not complaining since it costs about the same as a VW Polo and that’s quite small.
Swing the ignition into life, dip the clutch feed it some unleaded petrol and the Steed 5E pulls solidly and cleanly from standstill. Handling too is drama-free, with a light helm that is satisfyingly communicative. Job done, GWM.
A revelatory verdict
Remember that GWM Steed my brother bought all those years ago? Well, here's the thing. It's still running - and with no real hassles during its time with him. Add to the fact that my modern test unit performed flawlessly and does precisely what it promises, makes the GWM Steed - and this surprises me too - my number one recommendation if you’re looking for a Chinese car.
It's by no means a rival to the current crop of lifestyle double-cabs - it isn't raised to the heavens, nor wide of stance and bulging at the arches. Rather, it's a no nonsense, no frills bakkie that can do all the things a bakkie can do. And I'm ready to give it the green tick for reliable to.
GWM Steed 5E 2.4-liter Xscape 4x2 Specs:
| Price | R239,900.00 |
| Engine | Inline 4-cylinder 2.4-litre naturally aspirated petrol |
| Power | 93kW |
| Torque | 200Nm |
| Gearbox | 5-speed manual |
| Driven Wheels | RWD, 4x2
|
| CO2 Emissions | 251g/km |
| Average Fuel Consumption | 10.7/100km |
What’s that - you thought there was one kind of steed?Oh,
heavens no, the 5E merely represents the middle of the road. There also
exists the more workhorse-like Steed 5 beneath it and a flagship Steed 6
above it. That means you can have yourself a Steed for as little as
R179,900 right up to the range topper at R314,900. |
