2017 GWM Steed 5

VEHICLE HIGHLIGHTS

GWM Steed 5

There’s no pretending with the GWM Steed 5: this is a workhorse for folks who need double-cab utility without the Hilux or Ranger tax. You’re looking at something squarely in the same value ring as a Mahindra Pik Up or an old-school Nissan NP300 Hardbody. Engine choices are simple—either a 2.2-litre petrol or a 2.0-litre turbodiesel, both paired with manual or semi-automatic boxes. Here’s the real kicker: every one of the 15 Steed 5s on the market right now is used, not a fresh badge among them, which should tell you where it sits in the pecking order. Prices stretch from R160,900 to R309,950, with a median of R239,995, so it’s a straight-up second-hand deal. Most 2.2 MPi Workhorse single cabs cluster around R160,900 to R209,995, making them the gateway option. The 2.0 SX diesel double cabs go higher, R249,900 up to R309,950, with mileage averaging about 75,617 km—honest numbers for a bakkie that’s probably seen a few Karoo sunrises and Joburg traffic snarls. On paper at least, the Steed 5’s appeal is obvious: it’s much cheaper than the mainstream names and isn’t trying to double as your weekend adventure hero. If you pack smart, the diesel SX double cab makes the most sense—proper space, decent efficiency, and a cabin that favours hard buttons over fiddly screens. Lower parts costs and simplicity keep running bills down, which is probably why the Steed 5 keeps earning its keep with buyers who just want their bakkie to get on with the job.