5 most powerful double-cab bakkies in SA (2026)

Prefer your bakkie with upwards of 200 kW? These are the 5 most powerful double-cab bakkies on South Africa’s new-vehicle market right now…

These days, not all bakkies are workhorses. In fact, thanks to the sustained growth of the so-called “leisure bakkie” segment, many South African buyers now consider modern double cabs their preferred luxury-vehicle status symbol. And, with luxury often comes power. So, which are the most powerful double-cab bakkies available right now?

Well, we’ve combed through Mzansi’s new-vehicle market and picked out the 5 double-cab bakkies with the most potent power figures (well, actually 6 since there’s a tie for the final spot). Interestingly, 2 models featured here are locally built, while 3 are imported from China and 1 comes over from Thailand. Note that all pricing is correct as of August 2026.

1. BYD Shark 6 Performance 2.0T DMO AWD – 350 kW

The Performance-badged version of the BYD Shark 6 is the local market’s most powerful double-cab bakkie. The Chinese automaker’s electrified bakkie makes 350 kW and 700 Nm courtesy of a PHEV powertrain that combines a turbocharged 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine with a 29.6 kWh (gross capacity) battery pack and an electric motor on each axle. For the most part, the petrol engine acts as a generator to top up the battery. BYD claims a 0-100 kph time of just 5.5 seconds. For the record, the original Premium-badged derivative (which uses a 1.5T in its PHEV set-up) offers 321 kW and 650 Nm.

• Starting price: R1 149 900 (or R989 900 for Premium)
• Fuel consumption (claimed): TBC
• Payload: 725 kg (or 790 kg for Premium)
• Braked towing capacity: 3 500 kg (or 2 500 kg for Premium)
• Find a BYD Shark 6 on Cars.co.za

2. Geely Riddara RD6 Apex AWD – 315 kW

Launched in late August 2026, Geely Auto SA’s fully electric Riddara RD6 Apex AWD – the flagship derivative in this unibody range – takes 2nd place on the list of South Africa’s most powerful double-cab bakkies. Equipped with an electric motor on each axle, this variant boasts peak outputs of 315 kW and 595 Nm. A 73 kWh (gross) battery pack offers a claimed NEDC range of 424 km, while the Chinese company says the 0-100 kph sprint takes just 4.5 seconds (in “ideal operating conditions” and using highway-terrain tyres). Top speed is rated at 190 kph.

• Starting price: R781 900
• Energy consumption (claimed): TBC
• Payload: 1 030 kg
• Braked towing capacity: 3 000 kg
• Find a Geely vehicle on Cars.co.za

3. Ford Ranger 3.0T V6 Raptor 4WD – 292 kW

Shipped over from Thailand rather than built alongside its standard Ranger siblings at Ford’s Silverton facility in Gauteng, the Raptor boasts the largest-capacity engine here. This halo derivative’s twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine drives all 4 wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission as standard, generating 292 kW and 583 Nm in the process. Still, it’s the Raptor’s suspension set-up – including a Watt’s linkage at the rear and special Fox shock absorbers all round – that benefitted most from Ford’s significant R&D spend.

• Starting price: R1 307 300
• Fuel consumption (claimed): 11.5 L/100 km
• Payload: 670 kg
• Braked towing capacity: 2 500 kg
• Find a Ford Ranger Raptor on Cars.co.za

4. GWM P500 2.0T HEV Ultra Luxury 4×4 – 255 kW

Currently topping GWM’s broader P-Series range (above the P300 derivatives and, indeed, the 2.4TD P500 variants), the HEV version uses the Chinese brand’s turbocharged 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder petrol-hybrid set-up, which includes a single electric motor and a small 1.76 kWh battery pack. Total system outputs come in at 255 kW and 648 Nm, channelled to all 4 corners through a 9-speed automatic transmission as standard.

• Starting price: R999 900
• Fuel consumption (claimed): 9.8 L/100 km
• Payload: 735 kg
• Braked towing capacity: 3 500 kg
• Find a GWM P500 on Cars.co.za

5=. Ford Ranger 2.3T Sport/Wildtrak – 222 kW

Added as part of Ford’s updated Ranger portfolio, the turbocharged 2.3-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine is available in double-cab form in both Sport and Wildtrak guise. This EcoBoost mill generates 222 kW and 452 Nm, sent exclusively to the rear wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission. Interestingly, the Blue Oval brand doesn’t currently offer this petrol motor in all-wheel-drive flavour here in South Africa.

• Starting price: R844 900 (Sport)/R904 700 (Wildtrak)
• Fuel consumption (claimed): 9.3 L/100 km
• Payload: 1 045 kg (Sport)/967 kg (Wildtrak)
• Braked towing capacity: 3 500 kg
• Find a Ford Ranger on Cars.co.za

5=. Volkswagen Amarok 2.3 TSI PanAmericana 4Motion – 222 kW

Built by Ford alongside the Ranger in Silverton, the 2nd-generation Volkswagen Amarok is also offered with the Dearborn-based company’s turbocharged 2.3-litre 4-pot (which VW rebrands as a “TSI” engine). However, in Amarok guise, this likewise 222 kW/452 Nm powerplant – employing the same 10-speed automatic, of course – drives all 4 wheels as standard. The German firm claims a 0-100 kph time of 7.6 seconds.

• Starting price: R1 105 600
• Fuel consumption (claimed): 9.7 L/100 km
• Payload: not listed
• Braked towing capacity: 3 500 kg
• Find a VW Amarok on Cars.co.za

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