Buying both of these bakkies would add up to a total of R479 800, some R1 000 less than the price of a new Ford Ranger 2.2TDCi double cab Hi-Rider XLS. This makes the Steed pair incredibly cheap, but are they nasty?
The Workhorse
When referring to the single-cab Workhorse, I feel that the base model diesel tested is simply too unsafe; however, for R20 000 more, there is what the brand calls the ‘Safety’ specification, which adds ABS and two airbags. So for just over R200 000, you have a single cab bakkie that can carry 1 080kg, comes with airconditioning and a radio with USB and SD comparability as well as a 70-litre fuel tank. Out on the road, the Workhorse is very much what you’d expect with a bouncy ride, vague steering and quite a lot of cabin noise, however, as something used to transport goods for a company that sells goods or provides a service, it is certainly respectable.
The lower output motor produces 79kW/225Nm which in combination with a five-speed manual gearbox makes for reasonable progress, considering the application. In terms of fuel consumption, I managed 740km from a single tank of fuel before the refuel light illuminated, resulting in a consumption figure of around 9.0 L/100km despite the 8.1 L/100km claim.
The Steed 5E
The double cab 5E is perhaps the more impressive of the duo though, offering an interior no worse than an entry-level Isuzu D-Max while as well as a touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth and USB connectivity. It also offers reasonable interior space, acceptable ride quality and the general impression that you’re in something that isn’t going to fall apart. The problem comes in with the 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine, which produces a reasonable 105kW/305Nm, however, its excessive turbo lag makes progress more irksome than in many a diesel-powered bakkie. The ratios of this gearbox exacerbate the lag-filled motor too, by forcing the user swap cogs constantly in attempts to keep the motor spinning above 2 000 r/min. Operating this transmission is what I’d imagine it would be like to arm wrestle a hungry bear over a salmon, such is the heavy nature of its action.
Verdict
The double-cab bakkie segment is something that is evolving at a rapid pace, producing products that are more SUV-like in their drive quality, leaving vehicles like the Steed 5E far behind, however, that pricing cannot be ignored. When looking at the Workhorse, it is difficult to ignore the Steed when looking at a brand new single cab bakkie, especially considering that it is better specified and far cheaper than a base model Toyota Hilux 2.0 S, despite not coming with a service plan as standard. Overall, the list price of these bakkies will allow many to forgive their obvious shortcomings.
Pricing
Steed 5 2.0WGT Workhorse R 194 900
Steed 5E Double Cab 2.0 VGT Xscape 4×2 R284 900
