By Mabuyane Mabuza
This must be the most confusing time for an older motoring scribe. Yes, I am generalising. We grew up in an era where our parents drilled into us that a proper bakkie meant Toyota Hilux or Isuzu D-MAX. A good truck was the Hino 300 Series or Isuzu. The rest were simply tolerated.
That is how my father saw it. To this day, you would struggle to convince him otherwise. Fortunately, I am slightly more open-minded. My son, however, is firmly in the Hilux camp. Even the most loyal Hilux fans, though, admit when they encounter something that feels a little more special than their trusted workhorse.
Excuse the meandering. Context matters.
I recently spent time with the GWM P500 HEV Ultra Luxury, and it challenged a few long-held assumptions.
First impressions
Absolutely good looking. Smooth to drive. A suspension that makes even old bones feel at home. I can only describe it as a dream weaver on wheels.
This was not just a bakkie for occasional bundu bashing or farm duties. It handled those tasks with ease, yet somehow turned everyday trips into small stories worth telling. From the first glance, the P500 HEV commands attention. Sharp lines, an imposing stance and a modern face make it clear that this is not yesterday’s bakkie.
As farmers, we operate in a parallel world. When others wind down for the holidays, we gear up for work. Trips to the local korporasie such as NWK for cattle medication and spares are part of life. A few days after the P500 arrived, I parked at the korporasie and fielded a stream of questions from curious farmers. It became a pattern. They loved the look of it.
I found myself quietly noting what they were driving. Most climbed back into Hiluxes, Mahindra Pik Up models and Isuzus. I could not help but smile.
The Intelligent Workhorse
The P500 HEV is more than just a bakkie. It feels like a redefinition of what a family can own, drive and enjoy.
Its self-charging hybrid system pairs a turbo petrol engine with electric drive, producing 255 kW and 648 Nm of torque. That is serious performance, delivered with surprising efficiency. It pulls confidently and feels strong without being thirsty.
More Than A Bakkie
Step inside and the P500 shifts the narrative. Yes, it offers rugged capability with four-wheel drive, a differential lock and a chassis ready for adventure. Yet the cabin tells a different story.
Large digital touchscreens, including a 14.6-inch display, premium audio, intuitive controls and thoughtful comforts make it feel refined. I often found myself exploring the system, pressing buttons out of curiosity. One afternoon I tapped something and the screen flipped. There I was, accidentally discovering another feature.
That was the moment I realised this could be a dream family vehicle. I do not have young children, but I could easily picture them in the back, music playing through immersive speakers, eyes glued to the scenery. Heated seats on a misty school run. Long road trips that feel less like chores and more like shared experiences.
This is SUV comfort blended with bakkie strength. It works.
A Modern Family Companion
South African families do not want compromises anymore. They want weekday practicality and weekend comfort. A vehicle that can tow, haul and tackle rough farm roads, yet still feel special when you clean it up for a dinner outing.
The P500 HEV manages that balance. The double cab is spacious, the safety systems reassuring and the infotainment keeps everyone connected.
Price Tag
The P500 range starts at around R799 900, with the HEV Ultra Luxury version coming in at approximately R999 900.
When compared with established players such as the Hilux, Ford Ranger and the Isuzu D-MAX, vehicles long associated with reliability, the P500 offers hybrid performance, premium features and serious technology at a competitive price point.
Should you buy one?
If you have a young family and run a business that needs a capable bakkie, this might be the answer you have been waiting for.
Among the newer Chinese brands, GWM has already proven its staying power in South Africa. They have remained consistent and visible in the market.
The P500 HEV Ultra Luxury will not erase decades of brand loyalty overnight. But it does make you pause, look again and perhaps reconsider what a modern bakkie can be.
