First Impressions: A Wolf in Wolf’s Clothing
The morning sun was already baking the tarmac when I pulled into the LDV dealership in Pinetown. Between the rows of shiny new models, one vehicle immediately commanded attention – the T60 Max. There it stood, its chrome grille glinting defiantly, looking for all the world like it had raided Toyota’s design department and come away with the best bits of a Hilux.
Walking around the T60 Max, I found myself doing the “bakkie buyer’s shuffle” – that peculiar dance where you kick tires (gently), press panels (discreetly), and generally assess whether your hard-earned cash might be buying a future rattle-trap. To my surprise, the doors closed with a solid thunk rather than the tinny clang I’d half-expected. The plastic wheel arches passed the critical “wiggle test” with flying colors – no worrying flex that suggests they’ll be decorating the N3 after the first dirt road.
The Cabin: Luxury or Lipstick on a Chinese Bulldog?
Settling into the driver’s seat, I was greeted by an interior that seemed determined to convince me this wasn’t “just another Chinese bakkie.” The leather upholstery smelled new-car authentic rather than that peculiar “fake luxury” scent some budget brands emit. Soft-touch materials adorned the key contact points, though a few exploratory prods revealed harder plastics lurking beneath the surface, like a well-dressed man wearing discount store socks.
The infotainment system booted up with reasonable haste, offering all the modern conveniences without the buttery smoothness of more expensive systems. It reminded me of a competent but uninspired waiter – gets the job done without flair. The cluster of 4×4 mode buttons near the gear selector felt satisfyingly tactile, though I couldn’t shake the thought that most buyers would likely use them just once – on the day they take delivery – to impress mates at the braai.
On the Road: A Surprise in a Straight Line
Firing up the 2.0L bi-turbo diesel (160kW/500Nm) revealed an engine note that sounded suspiciously eager for a Chinese workhorse. The 8-speed automatic shuffled gears with the precision of a croupier dealing cards – smooth enough that you only notice when it occasionally hesitates on an overtake.
Navigating Pinetown’s traffic was a breeze thanks to the 360-degree camera system, though the display’s resolution looked like it was streamed through a 2012 smartphone. On the N3, the T60 Max settled into a comfortable cruise, the engine sipping diesel at a respectable 8L/100km – though the ride quality had me bouncing in my seat like a teenager in a lowered Citi Golf.
The Million-Rand Question (Well, R790k Actually)
| Model | Price | Key Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| LDV T60 Max Luxe | R790,000 | Isuzu D-Max X-Rider (R785,000) |
| Ford Ranger XL Plus (R810,000) | ||
| Mahindra Pik-Up Karoo (R450,000) |
LDV’s gamble seems to be that buyers will overlook their lack of brand cachet in exchange for more features per rand. But in South Africa’s fiercely brand-loyal bakkie market, that’s like showing up to a braai with vegan boerewors – it might be good, but you’ll struggle to convince the traditionalists.
Final Verdict
Design: – Hilux called, it wants its swagger back
Interior: – Premium… with an asterisk
Performance: – That bi-turbo is a peach
Value: – The deal-breaker
As I handed back the keys, the sales manager asked if I’d consider one. I smiled politely. “If you ever do a R150k discount special,” I said, “call me first.”
