Good, better, best – Part 3

There’s some stiff competition in the diesel 4X4 double-cab arena. We compare the Mitsubishi Triton, Mazda BT-50 and the new Isuzu KB.

Read Part 1 of the Double cab shootout here

Read Part 2 of the double-cab shoot-out here

Read Part 4 of the double-cab shoot-out here 

The mountains surrounding Simonsig Wine Estate where we tested the double cabs at Landrover Experience

Our team of drivers assembled at the Land Rover Experience on the Simonsig wine estate near Stellenbosch to inspect an army of metal and big tyres. In the ranks, stood eight double-cab leisure bakkies with differing capacity, technology, suspension systems and comfort levels.

Mitsubishi Triton: a smaller bakkie

Like the Hilux, the Triton hasn’t been updated for a while and the five-speed manual transmission holds onto a traditional bakkie functionality with a second gear lever for low range and a simpler steering wheel.

The Triton is smaller than the rest with a length of 5 070 mm and a width of 1 800 mm, especially when it’s alongside the Amarok and the Ranger, but this made it more capable on the tighter twists and turns on the off-road course. CAR journalist Wilhelm Lutjeharms especially liked its size. He added that the Triton, which he’s long-term testing, is a hardy vehicle.

It’s without some luxury features though and disappointingly lacks an auxiliary and USB port, which is a game changer for those fond of listening to music on the road. It does offer two 12-volt power outlets, so your teens can charge their phones and you can use the GPS without there being a family crisis.

The Mitsubishi Triton

The Triton has great off-road capabilities and strolled through the articulation exercise and exhibited great grip even without its diff-lock on. Hannes Grobler (SA off-road and rally champion) was very impressed with its suspension and called it ‘an underestimated vehicle that deserves wider success’. However, despite its small size, the Mitsubishi had the highest fuel consumption rate at 11,88 litres per 100 kilometres.

The Mazda and Mitsubishi side-by-side

Mazda BT-50: stylish SUV exterior

The Mazda looks a lot softer than the other bakkies, especially the big Amarok, and its cosmetic design has been something of a contentious issue in motoring circles. It shows off a six-speed, automatic transmission powered by a big 3,2-litre engine and features rear diff-lock, low-range capabilities, downhill assist and traction control.

The Mazda BT-50 kicking up dust on the steep descent

The diesel engine has impressive torque at 470 Newton metres between 1#500 and 2#500 revs a minute, giving the bakkie the power to take on off-road obstacles without a hitch. It was an easy, comfortable ride – in fact, it felt very SUV-like and had height-adjustable seats to give you a boost over the bonnet to see the bottom of the steep descents. Hannes G. noted that it seemed lower than the other bakkies though.

The Mazda BT-50

The Mazda is a good option when it comes to travel, offering lots of space in the cabin, though not quite as much as the Hilux in the rear, and comes standard with cruise control, dual-zone climate control to keep everyone happy and comfortable leather seats. If you’re looking at heading into off-road terrain, you’ll have no issues with obstacles. It has incredible low-down torque to trundle on and would be especially good in sand.

Hannes Grobler testing one of the 4X4s at Simonsig

With its softer looks and various buttons on the dash, the Mazda is designed more as a leisure bakkie than a die-hard off-roader. Hannes G. isn’t convinced about the styling and he’s one of many critics with that comment. Some of the CAR guys admitted that for the price, you could stick to the bolder Ranger with more space and better safety systems. However, it’s not about the better bakkie since they’re very similar. It’s really about personal taste.

The stylish Mazda

Isuzu KB: the new kid on the block

It’s has been a long-awaited addition to the double-cab ranks in South Africa – nine years in fact – and for good reason. The KB has been put through four million kilometres of test-driving over terrains that vary from the icy poles to the Kalahari desert.

The newest addition to the 4X4 bakkie ranks - the Isuzu KB

I’ve driven this bakkie twice now, once in Hoedspruit at the launch and again in Stellenbosch; the second time round just reaffirmed what I thought of its off-road capabilities. As with many other new 4x4s, the KB includes a modern terrain control dial for engaging 4×4 and a push button for the rear diff-lock. It showed off the right power and torque on the 4×4 course, pulling through all the obstacles effortlessly. Hannes G. heartily agreed, saying it ‘made mincemeat of the off-road course’.

The new Isuzu KB taking on 4X4 obstacles

The evolution of the bakkie included a quieter cabin that’s better insulated against wind, so there’s no more howling in the car when you want speed on tar. It also features an aux/USB plug that keeps up with other new double-cab models and two cubbyholes to hold maps and other travel paraphernalia.

The new Isuzu KB nailed the articulation exercises

It’s a comfortable vehicle you could use daily, but the ride is a lot more ‘bakkie’ than the Amarok, the Ranger and the Mazda, which have a car-like feel thanks to deluxe seating and other luxury features. It beats these cars in having a towing capacity of 3 500 kilograms (although it’s yet to be properly tested), but it doesn’t have the same electronic stability and safety features. It’s a strong new contender, but I have to agree with CAR editor Hannes Oosthuizen that it’s not radically different to the previous model, which can be both a good and a bad thing.

Read Part 1 and Part 2 of the double shootout.