New tough toy on the market for big boys

The X-Rider 4x4 has got just the right amount of extra dash and splash to make cruising all that more comfortable

Growing up in the former Transkei, I always heard stories of how Isuzu bakkies were built tough and always delivered.

For any young boy who does not know anything about cars nor how to drive, he takes this at face value.

But I put this to the test when I drove the Isuzu KB 250 DTeq X-Rider 4X4 double cab bakkie for more than a week.

And I must say it passed with flying colours.

The X-Rider is surprisingly very easy to manoeuvre and throughout my driving it, I completely felt in control.

Driving from East London to Butterworth was very pleasant as the bakkie performed to its fullest.

Most people driving on this stretch of N2, which was flagged as the most dangerous road in the country by Arrive Alive earlier this year, will tell you that they do not enjoy driving on the Kei Cuttings because of the curves and the number of accidents there.

But the journey was a walk in the park for for the X-Rider.

I did not have to unnecessarily keep on hitting the brakes like an old lady (no disrespect to the senior citizens).

I really enjoyed the journey and the scenic drive as the X-Rider had a firm grip on the tar.

And once I hit the gravel road, the bakkie drove as equally well.

While I did not get to use it on four wheel drive and diff lock, it is good knowing the off road features are there should you need them when driving on rugged and muddy roads.

Whether you are a farmer and need a bakkie that will pull a trailer with livestock or a family orientated person in need of a good looking luxurious and comfortable car – the X-Rider – is the car for the job.

This is because Isuzu has a proven record of being a workhorse while the X-Rider has a bit of a luxury feel and is comfortable.

The X-Rider has a massive 80l fuel tank. It consumes a claimed 7.9 litres per 100km, which is not bad.

This 4X4 is more than just brute power and getting the touch job done.

Its black leather trim with the X-Rider red logo on the headrests, the X-Rider logo on the interior front doors, and the red stitched on the steering wheel and gear give it a nice stylish feel.

It also bluetooth for your cellphone and audio streaming source, plays CDs, has an iPhone and iPod, auxiliary inputs while the steering-mounted controls also ensure you won’t be distracted and take your eyes off the road for audio selection.

However, while the bakkie’s leather seats and the X-Rider logo on the two front doors, breathe a bit of life into the interior, its dashboard is too boring.

For me, the simple, unimaginative, uninspiring and very basic radio system is the only bad thing about the X-Rider. It’s as if the car had reached the end of the manufacturing line and all of a sudden someone remembered they had forgotten to design the radio system and used the closest they could find.

Isuzu could have done better in this department, especially considering that the majority of the X-Rider’s competitors have touch screen radio systems – which some even have a DVD option and park assist.

At least those who are slow to change gears will see a message pop up near the speedometer with the number of gear you should be driving in.

But most importantly, safety has not been compromised as the X-Rider, which retails from R463,200, comes with standard ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist system, electronic stability control with traction control, hill start assist, hill descent assist, driver and passenger airbags and ISOFIX child seat attachment.

While the five speed manual bakkie is a bit lazy on the road, it still gets the thumbs up from this novice motoring journalist.

Isuzu has a proven record of being a workhorse while the X-Rider has a bit of a luxury feel