MAHINDRA PIK UP 2,2 CRDE DC 4x4 S10

THE Mahindra Pik Up is still doing its job without fuss or fanfare as it conveys goods and passengers in Cape Town and to the farm over weekends. While I’ve been impressed with the array of tie-down hooks around the load bay, as well as the large lip which can be used for further connection points, unfortunately there are no tie-down eyes on the floor. This would be very handy to secure goods that are lower than the top of the bay.

The engine is easy-going, flexible, difficult to stall and can handle low revs, even idling along in sixth at around 50 km/h without the driver needing to use the throttle. Cruise control adds to the comfort as you rest your feet on the spacious floor with your elbows on the armrests; ideal for long journeys.

The gearbox has one of the best shift actions in a bakkie. The phrase used to be “knife through butter” but, these days, it’s more like “flicking a light switch” with a light, positive, mechanical feel. The Pik Up does have a rather large turning circle, though, which requires careful manoeuvring when parking.

The JK Elanzo tyres are not a brand well known in South Africa but they are coping well with the sharp rocks on my farm that have caused a number of punctures on various vehicles in the last few years.

The low-fuel lamp comes on when there is still more than 100 km available before the tank runs dry and generally over 800 km on a tank is the norm.

Recently, a warning light has illuminated on the display screen indicating it’s time for a service. Intervals used to be 5 000 km but this has recently been extended to 10 000 km, so I’ll pop in at the local dealer to have the computer reset until the service is due in November.