At just under R580 000, the JMC Grand Avenue undercuts every diesel automatic double-cab 4×4 in South Africa by a margin that borders on the absurd. A Ford Ranger 2.0 SiT 4×4 or a Toyota Hilux 2.8 GD-6 4×4 will set you back well over R700 000 in comparable automatic guises. The obvious question, then, is what you give up for that R150 000 saving.
The answer, after a week of mixed driving across Gauteng and a brief excursion onto gravel, is less than you might fear but more than the spec sheet suggests.
Under the bonnet sits a 2,5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel developing 155 kW and 500 Nm, the latter available from 1 500 r/min. That is a substantial 32 kW and 70 Nm more than the same engine produces in the workmanlike Vigus, and it comfortably outpunches the Hilux 2.8 GD-6’s 150 kW and the Ranger’s 2.0 SiT at 125 kW.
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The sole transmission is a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic, and it is genuinely good. Shifts are smooth, the torque converter locks up early, and the gearbox resists the urge to hunt unnecessarily when cruising. At 120 km/h the tachometer sits at a relaxed 1 900 r/min, contributing to a cabin that is far quieter than the price tag would lead you to expect.
Fire it up and the diesel clatter is audible from outside, but insulation is thorough enough that the noise fades into the background once you are seated. The acoustic windscreen and generous sound deadening materials do their job on the open road. Some engine boom intrudes under hard acceleration, but it is never intrusive.
The steering is light and accurate, which is just as well given the Grand Avenue’s dimensions. At 5 450 mm long and 1 935 mm wide, this is a big vehicle, roughly 100 mm longer than a Ranger double-cab. Parking in tight suburban bays demands attention, though the 6,0-metre turning radius is marginally tighter than the segment average. The reversing camera and rear parking sensors are welcome standard fitments.
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Ride quality on smooth tar is composed and settled. The double-wishbone front suspension and leaf-spring rear cope well with the usual urban imperfections. Push onto rougher surfaces, however, and the limitations become apparent.
Corrugations send shudders through the cabin, and with no load in the back the rear axle can feel skittish over sharp bumps. It is not uncomfortable, but it serves as a reminder that this is a ladder-frame bakkie built to a price, not a premium SUV.
Inside, the cabin is genuinely spacious. Rear legroom is a highlight, with enough space for adults to sit comfortably on longer journeys, a rare quality in this segment. The leather upholstery feels durable rather than plush, and the front seats offer decent support.
The 12-inch touchscreen tilts 12 degrees either way to combat glare, a thoughtful touch, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work without fuss. Some of the plastics lower down are hard and scratchy, and the faux-wood trim looks exactly like what it is, but the overall impression is one of solid, functional construction rather than outright cheapness.
Small things are missing from the spec sheet and, for me, a driver’s A-pillar grab handle would be nice as would automatic headlights. They do not need to be fancy just go on and off as needed. This is such a standard feature the risk is people forgetting to switch on in inclement weather and the like.
The 4×4 system, sourced from BorgWarner, offers 2H, 4H and 4L modes selected via a rotary dial. A rear differential lock is optional rather than standard, which is worth noting for buyers intending serious off-road work.
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With 235 mm of ground clearance, an 800 mm wading depth and approach and departure angles of 30 and 26 degrees respectively, the hardware is there. On a short off-road course, the Grand Avenue handled steep inclines and axle-twisting terrain without complaint, though the electronic rear diff lock requires commitment: it engages when it detects slip but disengages if you lift off the throttle, meaning some obstacles demand a more deliberate approach than you might expect.
Fuel consumption is claimed at 7,2 l/100 km. In reality, expect closer to 9,0 l/100 km in mixed driving, rising towards 9,5 l/100 km with a heavy right foot or when towing. For a vehicle of this size and output, that is acceptable rather than remarkable.
Safety equipment includes four crash bags, anti-lock braking with EBD, stability control, hill-descent control and ISOFIX anchors. Notably absent are the advanced driver assistance systems that are increasingly common on rivals, such as autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keep assist. For a flagship model, that omission is conspicuous but I suspect a more fully-laden Grand Avenue might join the range sometime next year.
The Grand Avenue’s value proposition is undeniable. You get genuine off-road capability, a spacious and well-equipped cabin, a strong and smooth powertrain, and a 5-year or 200 000 km warranty backed by a 5-year or 100 000 km service plan. What you do not get is the polished refinement, the comprehensive safety suite, or the vast dealer network of a Hilux or Ranger.
If your budget is firm and your needs are practical, the Grand Avenue makes a compelling case. If you can stretch to a more established rival, you will feel the difference in the details.
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
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