By Aurelia Mbokazi
It is safe to say South Africans are bakkie crazy, and JMC knows it. Winning over buyers who swear by their long-trusted legacy brands: Toyota, Ford and Isuzu takes more than gimmicks and a bold grille. The Grand Avenue arrives with plenty of presence, a spacious cabin and a 4x4 price of R579,900 that made me look twice.
Earlier this month, I drove it through the Cape Winelands, from the roads around Stellenbosch and Franschhoek to an off-road course at a wine farm. By the end of the day, I had discovered a bakkie that was even more capable off-road than its imposing looks suggested, though it did ask for a little patience when overtaking.
It certainly looks the part
At 5.45 metres long, the Grand Avenue has the sort of presence that makes you turn around for another look. Its broad grille, squared-off shape and high stance give it a distinctly American pickup feel. It is a handsome bakkie, and a big one.
The launch vehicles carried large decals advertising their power and torque figures. I found this a little cheesy at first; after all, seeing so much specification printed across the side of a vehicle is not something you see often. Still, they were hard to miss as the bakkies travelled through the Cape Winelands. JMC was clearly proud of what it had brought to the road.
Comfortable in the Winelands
Inside, the Grand Avenue feels more like a lifestyle vehicle than a basic workhorse. There is generous space, including in the rear seats, and the cabin is bright, comfortable and pleasant to spend time in. The leather seats are standard, while the large touchscreen and modern dashboard give you plenty to explore. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto add to its everyday appeal.
I enjoyed the drive through the green landscape around Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. The eight-speed automatic gearbox made for easy cruising, and the cabin felt well suited to a longer trip with family or friends.
There is, however, a lag in the power delivery that becomes noticeable when you push the bakkie to accelerate quickly. When overtaking, I found it best to plan the move and leave enough space. The power does arrive, but it is not immediate. That does not make the Grand Avenue unpleasant to drive; it is simply something I had to adjust to on the road.
The off-road surprise
I will confess that off-roading is not my favourite part of a vehicle launch. This time, though, I enjoyed it. The course at the wine farm gave us a proper opportunity to see what the Grand Avenue 4x4 could do, and its capability was one of the highlights of the day.
It felt composed and willing when the smooth roads gave way to rougher terrain. JMC equips the 4x4 with a part-time four-wheel-drive system and a rear differential lock. On paper, it also claims 800 mm of wading depth and a 3.5-tonne towing capacity. We did not test those limits, but the driving we did gave me confidence that this bakkie has more to offer than its bold looks.
The price changes the conversation
Both Grand Avenue models use a diesel engine producing 155 kW and 500 Nm, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 4x2 costs R529,900, while the 4x4 I drove costs R579,900. Both come with a five-year/100,000 km service plan and a five-year/200,000 km warranty.
That 4x4 price is the figure that made me look twice. For a spacious, well-equipped double cab with this much road presence and the off-road ability I experienced, it gives South African bakkie buyers a serious reason to consider a less familiar badge.
From the launch drive, the Grand Avenue left me impressed by its comfort, genuinely enjoyable off-road performance and, above all, the amount of bakkie it offers for the money.
