Comparing SA's third-best selling bakkie

Testing the limits of grip in the KB 30 4x4 LX

WHEELS is currently putting the facelifted Isuzu extra cab and double cab bakkies through their paces.

The smoothly overstroked 2999 cc turbo diesel engine makes 130 kW at 3600 rpm and 380 Nm between 1800 and 2800 rpm. This is less than the 2,8 GD-6 Hilux Xtra cab’s 130 kW and 420 Nm, and the 470 Nm from the Ranger 3,2 SuperCab 4x4 XLS.

While our resident farm writer Johan van der Merwe also said his 2,2 Ranger is faster, this proved to be more than enough power to push the 3,1 ton Isuzu nimbly along the highways, and when we ran
out of tar, all the way up The Slope which we use to test all 4x4s at Wheels.

We in fact felt empowered enough to push the envelope a bit over the axle benders, which left our bike rater Kay Shalik rather shaken.  “The bakkie was literally on two wheels with the third wheel barely touching the ground! If the bakkie had a heart monitor I would have scored 160,” she said.

The Isuzu on its preferred route.

Price and competition

R479 200 buys you the KB 300 D-TEQ LX 4x4. This is some R20 000 less than the Hilux but R7 000 more than what Ford wants for the Ranger 3.2 SuperCab 4x4 XLS.

Prices for bakkies are, however, a starting point only, and there are always good trade-ins and discounts from Key Group.

• Watch the space: Next week, we test Van der Merwe’s 2,2 Ford Ranger and the Isuzu KB 300 D-TEQ LX 4x4 in a drag race.