13 Significant Bakkies Likely Headed to SA in 2026

Buoyed by the imminent reveal of the ninth-generation Toyota Hilux, the local bakkie market is expected to see several key updates and introductions in 2026. We unpack what’s coming, as well as what we think is on the horizon.

New Toyota Hilux

Render of 2026 Toyota Hilux. Image: BestCar

Set for a 2025 Tokyo Mobility Show reveal, while mystery surrounds whether the long-awaited ninth-generation Toyota Hilux will indeed be all-new or a heavily revised version of the venerable current offering, what’s likely is that the upcoming Hilux will gain an interior and switchgear broadly mimicking that of the modern Land Cruiser Prado. The new Hilux is also set to continue with modern versions of Toyota’s 2.4 and 2.8 GD-6 turbodiesel powertrains, the latter incorporating 48 V mild-hybrid technology.

Updated Ford Ranger

No doubt scheduled to coincide with the arrival of the new Toyota Hilux, Ford is expected to give its modern Ranger (and Everest) packages a relatively significant update, including revised exterior styling and an upgrade of this vehicle’s software and infotainment setup. Likely to be dubbed Sync 5, this new arrangement will introduce Ford’s new Google-based system, including online services like Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play Store into the vehicle’s native infotainment.

Kia Tasman

Image: Kia

With its controversial styling said to pay homage to Kia’s history with military vehicles, the highly anticipated Tasman double-cab bakkie will be looking to cause a stir once it touches down in South Africa. While it certainly won’t be missed in the parking lot, the Kia brand’s sophisticated modern interior packaging, together with its proven 154 kW/440 N.m 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine, places the Tasman on the front foot in terms of poaching sales within this market’s ever-popular lifestyle-focused double-cab segment.

Mitsubishi Triton

The broad appeal of the otherwise impressive modern Triton double-cab bakkie will increase once Mitsubishi South Africa introduces a new (more powerful) 150 kW/470 N.m 2.4-litre biturbo-diesel engine option around the middle of next year.

GWM P500

Together with the talk that GWM is considering establishing a production facility in South Africa, it has confirmed that a newly developed 3.0-litre turbodiesel powertrain will be introduced to the local P500 bakkie range.

Volkswagen Amarok

Image: Volkswagen

While the 222 kW Amarok has been confirmed, we also think news of a new Tom Walkinshaw-developed version of the Amarok, set to be introduced to the Australian market in 2026, has piqued interest within the offices of Volkswagen Group Africa, especially as it potentially looks to add a new flagship model that differentiates the VW from its Ranger donor car. Likely to remain V6 TDI-powered, beyond visual enhancements, Walkinshaw is set to implement chassis and suspension modifications, a wider stance, wider track widths, and “special” tyres.

JMC Grand Avenue

Image: JMC

Chinese brand JMC will expand its local double-cab offering with the Vigus Pro and flagship Grand Avenue (pictured here) offerings. The latter introduces distinct exterior styling (that reminds us of a certain best-selling US-based pick-up) and could be offered with the choice of 130 kW/450 N.m 2.3-litre turbodiesel or 180 kW/220 N.m 2.3-litre turbopetrol engines.

Updated Jeep Gladiator

While exterior styling changes to the updated Wrangler and Gladiator will, as ever, be minimal, the big news from Jeep is the reintroduction of historically popular paint finishes, including “41”, which is a military olive drab green, Reign purple and Mojito lime green. There’s also talk of another special-edition Gladiator arriving in 2026.

LDV Terron 9

Image: LDV

Unveiled at the 2025 SA Festival of Motoring, the imposing-looking LDV Terron 9 bakkie stands 5 500 mm long and 2 045 mm wide, and boasts a 1 100 kg payload. Priced from R699 900 to R849 900, the Terron 9 ships with a 164 kW/520 N.m 2.5-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel engine paired with a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission.

MG U9

Image: MG

No, your eyes are not deceiving you – the MG U9 and LDV Terron 9 are twins; sharing underpinnings, powertrains and similarly striking exterior styling. While MG South Africa says the U9 double-cab is still “under consideration” for our market, it seems highly likely that this Chinese brand’s local office would like to have skin in the double-cab bakkie game. Both the Terron 9 and U9 are on sale in Australia; the MG is differentiated in that market by its independent multilink rear suspension, while the LDV makes do with a more basic (rugged) solid rear axle with leaf springs.

New Nissan Navara

Image: Nissan

Built under the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance on underpinnings shared with the modern Mitsubishi Triton, it seems ever-likely that once the covers are officially pulled back on the new Nissan Navara, as with the Amarok/Ranger arrangement, its stance and panel work will broadly mimic that of its donor car, though with the Nissan hoping to carve its own path via a bespoke grille and headlamp arrangement. Assembled alongside the Triton at Mitsubishi’s Thailand plant, the next Navara will similarly likely share the Triton’s internals, including the 150 kW/470 N.m 2.4-litre bi-turbocharged diesel engine.

Updated Isuzu D-Max

Unconfirmed by Isuzu South Africa, we suspect it won’t be long before the brand’s local office is tempted to introduce the new 2.2-litre turbodiesel to its local D-Max product portfolio. Available in the Australian market, this new powertrain offers increased performance and lower average fuel consumption compared to the current 1.9-litre engine featured in the modern D-Max and MU-X ranges. A first-ever all-electric D-Max is also on the horizon, though it’s unclear as to whether our market would have a penchant for this technology within an adventure-focused double-cab.

Renault Duster Pick-Up

Image: Renault

Not yet confirmed for the South African market, but how cool would it be to have the recently unveiled Renault Duster bakkie here, notably as a replacement for our once hugely popular half-tonne segment? Revealed in Romania, the double-cab Duster shares its exterior dimensions with the compact SUV it is based on, but ditches the crossover’s rear luggage compartment for a compact load bed. The payload matches the recently revealed Duster Cargo’s, at 430 kg. A quartet of anchoring points and two metal rails have been fitted to the load bed.

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