Three new off-road options

Given our outdoorsy lifestyle and the fact that potholes on our roads are procreating like rabbits on honeymoon, a robust SUV or a double-cab bakkie makes much more sense than a low-slung sedan. Here are three options for different budgets.

- PIERRE STEYN

The days when people would sneer at vehicles from India and China are long gone. The latest cars from these countries offer excellent value, they’re well-built, carry extensive warranties, and they feature the same technological aids and toys as their US, European and Japanese counterparts. And, since many are manufactured for roads that are not well manicured or maintained, they’re perfectly suited to driving in South Africa.

The new Mahindra Scorpio-N is a good example. The most expensive model costs “only” R590000 – it’s a well-appointed 4x4 built on a ladder frame, equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission with low range and a mechanical diff lock. We drove the Klein Tafelberg 4x4 route near Redelinghuys on a blistering hot day. With the tyres deflated to one bar, the Scorpio-N mastered the technical route – a combination of sandy and rocky climbs and descents – without much hassle.