VEHICLE REVIEW

PACKING A PUNCH THE CHEVROLET UTILITY IS A BAKKIE FOR ALL PURPOSES

By Damian Murphy

According to Naamsa figures, the Chevrolet Utility (“Ute”), is the number one selling bakkie on the South African market, and has remained number one for at least the past two years. A bakkie is as common a part of the South African auto-industry as braaiing is a part of our heritage. The great thing about a bakkie is that it provides its owner with a fantastic day-to-day run around vehicle that is comfortable and practical, yet also provides the driver with a multi-purpose tool to get the job done. The Chevy Ute is a practical, yet rather stylish little bakkie that comes in variants, ranging from a base model 1.4, to a 1.3 litre diesel or a 1.8 litre sport version. The model we tested was the 1.4 litre base model with air-conditioning. The interior, although not complete luxury, was very well fitted and neatly laid out. Having air-conditioning however was an absolute must for us. This is, after all, a work vehicle, so you are bound to spend plenty of time behind the wheel. Having a radio is an optional extra on the base models and for the relatively small investment, we also found the radio a must-have. The little 1.4 litre engine packed just enough punch to get the job done, but it did lack the grunt needed when the air-conditioning was on full whack. The 5-speed gear box was smooth to operate and gear shifting was effortless and smooth. The petrol engine delivered a respectable 68kW of power at the very top end and the 120Nm of torque provides the driver with a decent amount of pull. The pull is most noticeable when there is a full load on the back. Thankfully, Chevrolet hasn’t spared any expense in the safety department on any of their Ute models, which is comforting to know if you are going to buy a base model such as the one we tested. The Ute comes standard with ABS with EBD, driver and front passenger airbags as well as side impact beams to protect you at all times.

If you own a small business, the Chevy Ute could be the perfect tool for you to take your trade to the next level. Besides the fact that it has a towing capacity of over half a ton, it can carry an impressive 1.1 tonnes in the load bay. That amount of stock means proper utilisation of your Chevy Ute which also means you may be able to serve the needs of your business as well as the needs of others.

Because the Chevy Ute weighs just over a ton (without a loaded bay), the fuel economy is impressive in the petrol version, in the region of seven litres per 100 km driven and with a 56-litre tank, it should be a while between fill ups.

Overall, the Chevy Ute is a great addition to any small business and it is the topselling bakkie on the South African market for a reason. Starting at around R142 000 for the base 1.4, up to R201 000 for the 1.8 Sport, the Ute is a bargain in our books. It comes standard with a five-year/120 000km warranty and services are at 15 000 km intervals.

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