SA Road Tests

Welcome

This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. I drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under real-world South African conditions. Most, but not all, the vehicles driven are world cars as well, so what you read here possibly applies to the models you get where you live.

My most recent drive is on the home page. Archived reviews and opinion pieces are in the active menu down the left side. Hover your cursor over a heading or manufacturer's name and follow the drop-down.


Truck Vader: Isuzu KB250 X-Rider 4x2: 2017 update

We're glad

Posted: 21 June 2017
Face pic by author

The numbers
Price: R388 400
Engine: Isuzu 4JK1-TC Hi, 2499 cc, four cylinder, CRDI with turbocharger and intercooler
Power: 100 kW at 3600 rpm
Torque: 320 Nm between 1800 and 2800 rpm
Zero to 100 km/h: About 16.5 seconds
Maximum speed: About 175 km/h
Real life fuel consumption: About 9.7 l/100 km
Tank: 80 litres
Tare: 1922 kg
GVM: 3000 kg
GCM: 5000 kg
Maximum braked trailer mass: 2100 kg
Ground clearance: 220 mm
Approach / Departure / Breakover angles: 30 / 21.4 / 22.4 degrees
Wading depth: 600 mm
Warranty: 5 years/ 120 000 km; with roadside assistance
Service plan: 5 years / 90 000 km; at annual or 15 000 km intervals

The toe-dipping: Almost a year ago, Isuzu launched an experimental, limited-edition model. They took one of their no-frills pickups, the KB 250 Hi-Rider 4x2, added some kit to extended- and dual cab versions and called them X-Rider. They made 700 of them to see what buyers thought. Before you could say, “Oh man, gimme one of those,” they were sold out.

If it works, work it: X-Rider, now available only in double cab format, has become a permanent member of the company’s lineup. That’s one advantage of local manufacture; you can think on your feet, try things out and then implement them without having to wait years for faraway suits to give the go-ahead.

Is this year’s version the same? The answer is, essentially, “yes, but with changes”. The most obvious visual clues are new diamond-cut 18-inch alloys with red “Isuzu” centre caps, a new and more encompassing, Darth Vader-like black bumper guard with integrated fog lamps, the same black tubular side steps and sports bar with X-Rider decals, and blacked out B-pillars. The wheels are shod with low-profile 255/60 Grabber AT all-terrain rubber.

“But the X-Rider isn’t just about purposeful and head-turning looks; it’ll deliver when called on to do so,” said Mlungisi Nonkonyana, Isuzu Brand Manager. There’s a heavy-duty tow bar supporting the X-Rider’s 2.1-tonne braked trailer towing capacity, and the HO version of the 2.5 turbodiesel rated at 100 kW with 320 Nm of torque. It’s spread out between 1800 and 2800 rpm to give it the guts to pull that load comfortably.

The interior, as per last year’s limited special, offers full leather upholstery with leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift boot and piano black trim on doors, air vents, radio and console.

Red stitching on seats, steering wheel and gear-lever boot add style. X-Rider insignia features on the front headrests, with a red ‘X’ in the same font repeating on the door trims.  Remote keyless entry, satellite controls on the steering wheel, air conditioning and projector headlights with daytime running lights contribute to car-like levels of comfort, convenience and safety.  Then there’s a choice of dedicated colours -- Summit White, Switchblade Silver or Pull Me Over Red. Irrespective of colour choice, X-Rider buyers get a pickup that stands out from the masses.

Unannounced, but there, is a new graphic between the analogue instruments. It provides quick readouts of (digital) time, temperature, tank level, a gearshift indicator that suggests when you should change up and the usual combination of odometer and fuel consumption data.

The price differential, versus its plain Jane donor, is R30 000. Otherwise, it’s almost exactly the same as last year - except that you can now tick “difflock” in the options box to add some dirt cred to the truck’s macho appearance. We asked for that last year. Isuzu listened - and we're glad.

Test unit from Isuzu SA press fleet

For more on equipment and driving impressions click here




Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

What We Do

This is a one-man show, which means that every car reviewed is given my personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.

Every test car goes through real world driving; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads as well.

I do my best to include relevant information like real life fuel economy or a close mathematical calculation, boot size or luggage space, whether the space is both usable and accessible, whether life-sized people can use the back seat (where that applies), basic specs of the vehicle and performance figures if they are published. In the case of clearly identified launch reports, fuel figures are of necessity the laboratory numbers provided with the release material.

If ever I place an article that doesn't cover most things, it's probably because I have dealt with a very similar vehicle already, so you will be able to find what you want in another report under the same manufacturer's heading in the menu on the left.

Hope you like what you see, because there are no commercial interests at work here. There are no advertisers and no “editorial policy” rules. I add bylines to acknowledge sponsored launch functions and the manufacturers or dealerships that provide the test vehicles.  And, as quite a few readers have found, I answer every serious enquiry from my home email address, with my phone numbers attached, so you can see I do actually exist.

Comments?
Want to ask a question, comment or just tell me you completely disagree with what I say? If you want advice or have a genuine concern, I will be happy to hear from you. All I ask is that you write something in the subject line so I know which vehicle you're talking about.