JMC Vigus: value to be had with this workhorse

By Miles Downard

Single cab bakkies don’t quite have the glamorous nature that their double cab siblings possess but they are after all designed to be workhorses, getting jobs done rather than kerb hopping and carrying mountain bikes.

Accordingly single cabs are rough and ready devices. No frills. Long load bin. Big load carrying ability. Simple and effective is the name of the game and that’s something JMC has nailed with its Vigus workhorse.

First off it’s cheap, starting at R211,880 for the base model 2×4 diesel, up to R241,880 for the Lux version. A 4×4 model can be had just under R300,000. Of course you’re thinking to yourself, “Well yes it should be cheap, it’s Chinese.” But it’s quite incredible that it’s near 40% cheaper than a base model Toyota Hilux.

Under the hood lies a Ford based 2.4 litre turbo diesel motor with a five speed manual gearbox. Yes it’s a bit old school, producing ‘just’ 88kW and 290 torques. That is 10 and 15% down on a Hilux respectively, but driving the JMC doesn’t leave one feeling that it’s particularly underpowered. All that’s missing is the wave of torque through a good portion of the rev range that a modern motor provides.

On tarmac the JMC is quite well composed for a single cab bakkie, about on par with the competition. It’s perhaps when one is on gravel that the Vigus shows some flaws, where it’s hard rear suspension leads to a tendency for oversteer, which is easily replicated on a wet bit of public road. It’s a little disconcerting.

Inside the Vigus is a pleasant surprise. While there aren’t a load of bells and whistles, this being a workhorse after all, the cabin is neatly laid out and well put together. There aren’t any massive panel gaps, it feels sturdy and is very functional. The seats were especially well padded and comfortable, although the use of fabric material might wear and show fatigue quicker than a hardy vinyl option.

Another surprise is that the Vigus is equipped with the likes of ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) and airbags. Also included as standard are rear parking sensors and an automatic door locking function.

Overall I was quite impressed with this offering from JMC. With a decent 5 year / 100,000km warranty under it’s belt, the Vigus offers everything a business owner might need from a workhorse type vehicle and at a proper discount to the more established brands. It’s value that is tough to beat.