GWM has probably done the best job of all the Chinese manufacturers with regards to integrating into SA. The brand has primarily focussed on workhorse bakkies that undercut the competition. The scheme has worked for them as they’ve sold 50000 vehicles since they entered SA in 2007. GWM is now expanding its range of Steed 5 bakkies and is adding a Steed 6 to the range as well. We had a chance to sample them on the KZN roads.

GWM Steed 6 Leisure Bakkie

Firstly the new Steed 6, it’s a bit more of a leisure offering from GWM with just a double cab offering and a feature-packed interior. The exterior styling looks more butch and bakkie like now with a big grille up front and squared-off headlights backing up the manly demeanour. I think they’ve done well in the styling department and it’s not instantly recognisable as another brand’s slightly uglier sister anymore. There have been tweaks to make it more modern like side-step sills, indicators built into the mirrors and a tail-bumper step. The Steed 6 is also a long vehicle measuring 5345mm with a wheelbase of 3 200m. The Steed 6 is actually 255mm longer than the Steed 5.

The interior has undergone a revamp and looks impressive considering what you’re paying for it. The seats are leather, so is the steering wheel and there’s steering mounted controls. The instrument binnacle has been remodelled and looks quite posh. The Steed 6 Xscape – top of the range model has just about everything you’d need as far as accessories go and matches the more expensive Japanese models in this department.

The ride though could be better the Steed 6 feels a little soft and the bumpiness of the road filters through into the cabin making for a jittery ride. The steering is also very vague and the connection between it and the wheels doesn’t inspire much confidence when driving at higher speeds. The Steed 6 is quite highly specced in the safety department for a bakkie, featuring ABS/EBD, ESP and dual front airbags.

The engine is decent and the 2-litre turbodiesel we drove actually revs quite well through the rev range. It doesn’t have much from immediate pull-off but once it’s up around 1800-2000rpm it has good pull and if you keep it in that range it feels quite torquey. Outputs currently are at 105 kW and 305 Nm. 4×4 models are to be added to the Steed 6 as well during 2015.

Double Cab Steed 5E

The Steed 5E has also joined the range of Steeds as a double cab version of the workhorse Steed 5. For me it seemed to have a better and stiffer ride. It’s still bumpy inside the cabin but feels more like a hardy-built ladder frame bakkie. The outside has had some improvements like removing the aerial from the top of the roof and the side indicators have been incorporated into the rear-view mirror housing. Inside, the Steed 5E has also been improved with bits of leather inserts in the doors and reduced levels of noise intruding into the cabin. GWM has upped the level of fit and finish on the 5E and it feels a more premium or lifestyle option in the top spec diesel model (Xscape).

Pricing is still extremely competitive as GWM aims to win over the market with value for money propositions. Both bakkies are improvements over previous Chinese models driven before and once they start sorting the ride and handling out they could be a serious force to the major players.

GWM Steed 6 Price:

Steed 6 2,0VGT SX R294900

Steed 6 2,0VGT Xscape R319900

GWM Steed 5E Price:

Steed 5E 2,4 SX R229900 (petrol)

Steed 5E 2,4 Xscape R244900 (petrol)

Steed 5E 2,0VGT SX R259900

Steed 5E 2,0VGT Xscape R274900