Yet another bakkie has been introduced into the already packed segment in the form of JMC's Grand Avenue. We sent our media correspondent, Yan Musi, on the ground to experience the vehicle and learn what this entrant offers in the segment and in the range.
JMC has a joint venture with Ford in China, and they have been building Rangers for the Chinese market, as well as the Territory SUV for other markets including Mzansi. This joint venture also means that the underpinnings of the Grand Avenue share the same quality and engineering as the Ford Ranger bakkie, as well as some of its powertrain technology.
Exterior
The exterior remains bold and muscular. It’s longer, wider and taller than its already capable sibling, the Vigus, with an American-truck-like style that makes it stand out from the crowd. Attributes of the exterior comprise of side steps, 17 inch alloys from factory although some vehicles in the fleet had some more bulky aftermarket tires setup, an easy-lift tailgate, and a sprayed loading area.
Interior
The Grand Avenue earns a more well-built cabin that comprises a 12.0-inch touchscreen, a 4-speaker sound system, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, climate control (with rear vents), leather upholstery , and cruise control.
It’s quieter and more refined compared to the Vigus, which makes the Grand Avenue feel more grown-up and more leisure-friendly than just a workhorse. While it has been refined, it still remains simple and not overly loaded with features that could have pushed up the price. The seats are now leather as standard in both the 4x2 and 4x4, with soft-touch materials throughout the cabin.
Dislikes: The steering wheel still feels rough to handle with its rubberised texture.
The Drive
The Grand Avenue utilizes a 2.5L diesel that produces 155 kW and 500 Nm. The mill is paired to a ZF 8 speed transmission as the whole setup also received some refinement and upgrades, which are very noticeable while driving. It’s quieter and more responsive. Composed and commendable, the Grand Avenue cruises at around 1,900 rpm at 120 km/h, making the engine a bit quieter. The suspension is well calibrated for both road and off-road adventures.
Verdict
For a starting price of R529 900 The Grand Avenue is a bargain. It’s capable and more refined than some of its more expensive rivals in the market.
| DERIVATIVE | PRICE |
| Grand Avenue 2.5TD GL 8AT 4×2 | R529 900 |
| Grand Avenue 2.5TD GL 8AT 4WD | R579 900 |
The prices above include a 5-year/200 000 km warranty and a 5-year/100 000 km service plan.