Like your bakkies with an extra dose of brawn? Let’s take a look at the most powerful double-cab bakkies currently available in the South African market…
Double-cab bakkie buyers in South Africa are spoilt for choice, and if power and torque figures get you revved up and excited, this bakkie list is for you. Here are the most powerful double-cab bakkies currently on offer in South Africa…
Pricing is accurate as of March 2025.
Most Powerful Double-Cab Bakkies in SA
1. BYD Shark 6 – 321 kW
The BYD Shark 6 has arrived in South Africa and it’s not only the first Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) bakkie on sale in Mzansi, it’s also the most powerful bakkie you can buy right now, knocking the Ford Ranger Raptor off its perch at the top of this list.
The BYD Shark 6 combines a 1.5-litre turbopetrol engine with a plug-in hybrid system that comprises a 29.6 kWh battery pack and an electric motor on each axle. Peak outputs are rated at 321 kW and 650 Nm or put another way, 70 kW and 310 Nm up front, and 150 kW and 340 Nm at the rear.
All-electric range is claimed at 85 km with a total range of around 760 km. BYD says the battery’s state of charge will move from 30 to 80% in approximately 20 minutes when using a 55 kW DC fast charger.
The Shark 6 is said to accelerate from zero to 100 kph in 5.7 seconds, which if true, makes it the quickest bakkie on the market, for now…
Pricing for the new BYD Shark 6 starts at R959 900.
See specification details for the BYD Shark 6
2. Ford Ranger Raptor – 292 kW
The Ford Ranger Raptor made landfall in South Africa in the opening quarter of 2023 and offers a whopping 292 kW and 583 Nm developed from its twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine, which comes paired with a specially calibrated 10-speed automatic transmission.
The Ranger Raptor offers formidable off-road performance thanks to its uprated Fox 2.5-inch Live Valve Internal Bypass shock absorbers, which make high-speed off-road driving a breeze. Moreover, the Raptor features a 2-speed transfer case, front and rear locking differentials and up to 7 driving modes as well as an electronically controlled active exhaust system.
The Ford Ranger Raptor is priced from R1 270 000 (note this excludes the cost of a service plan).
See specification and pricing details for the new Ford Ranger
Buy a used Ford Ranger Raptor on Cars.co.za
3. GWM P500 2.0T HEV double cab Ultra Luxury 4×4 – 255 kW
GWM recently welcomed the new P500 to South Africa and the range-topping P500 HEV is currently the third most powerful double-cab bakkie on sale in South Africa.
The 2.0-litre turbopetrol hybrid powertrain develops a total output of 255 kW and 648 Nm and is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain is also found under the bonnet of the Tank 500 SUV.
The GWM P500 HEV is priced from R999 900.
See specification and pricing details for the GWM P500 HEV
Buy a use GWM P500 on Cars.co.za
4. Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster – 210 kW
The Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster has arrived in South Africa and it’s currently the third most powerful double-cab bakkie you can buy with its BMW-sourced 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder turbopetrol engine developing 210 kW and 450 Nm of torque. An 8-speed automatic ZF transmission is standard.
Local buyers can also opt for a 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder turbodiesel engine with 183 kW and 550 Nm of torque on offer.
With pricing starting from R1 717 100, The Grenadier Quartermaster is the most expensive double-cab bakkie currently on sale in South Africa.
See specification and pricing for a new Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster
Buy a used Ineos Grenadier on Cars.co.za
5. Jeep Gladiator 3.6 Rubicon – 209 kW
The Jeep Gladiator Rubicon is the 5th-most powerful double-cab bakkie in South Africa with only 1 kW separating it from the new Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster. The Gladiator draws power from a naturally aspirated 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 petrol engine that offers 209 kW and 347 Nm of torque, and is mated with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Apart from boasting an impressive power output, the Jeep Gladiator is also one of the most hardcore 4×4 bakkies on the market. In addition, it’s one of the most expensive double-cab bakkies you can buy right now with a price tag of R1 385 900.
See specification details for the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon
Buy a used Jeep Gladiator on Cars.co.za
6. Ford Ranger Platinum and Wildtrak – 184 kW
The Wildtrak and Platinum version of the latest Ford Ranger can be specified with a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine, which generates a heady 184 kW and 600 Nm. Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission is standard fare.
Pricing for the V6-powered Ranger Wildtrak starts at R1 087 000 while the range-topping Ranger Platinum is priced from R1 150 000. Note that, again, a service plan is not included as standard.
See specification details for the Ford Ranger Wildtrak 3.0 V6
See specification details for the Ford Ranger Platinum 3.0 V6
Buy a used Ford Ranger on Cars.co.za
7. Volkswagen Amarok 3.0TDI V6 – 184 kW
While Volkswagen’s original Amarok employed a 6-cylinder motor boasting 190 kW and 580 Nm, the 2nd-generation version of the bakkie (built by Ford) has switched to the Blue Oval brand’s aforementioned 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel unit, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
The Amarok V6’s peak power output thus falls slightly to 184 kW, though maximum torque increases to 600 Nm. Pricing for the V6-powered Amarok starts from R1 071 100 (in conjunction with the Style trim level).
See specs for the 184 kW VW Amarok here!
Buy a new or used VW Amarok on Cars.co.za
