Driven: 2020 GWM P-Series Commercial Single Cab
As a late entry last year, GWM released its highly anticipated P-Series range. To many people’s surprise, the P-Series made quite an impressive debut, and despite not having the biggest fan base in South Africa, has managed to turn a few heads. Now GWM has been around for 36 years and despite not being the most popular brand locally, nationally, GWM has made quite the name for itself. The team of AutoAdvisor recently spent some time with GWM’s P-Series and despite the odds being stacked against them, we may see it become local bakkie favorites.
Engine
At first, the P-Series may not look as intimidating as one would expect but trust us, its 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine more than delivers. Producing a neat 120kW of power and 400 Nm of torque, the P-Series proves that it can certainly handle its own on the road. The only big critique however must be its turbo delay, which is not exactly consumer-friendly given how massive its single cab is. The single cab does only come in a 6-speed manual transmission, which may seem a bit intimidating at first but proves to be quite delightful to handle. Overall, its drive packed quite a decent amount of power and despite its larger-than-life statue, was quite enjoyable on and off the road.
Size matters
Seeing the P-Series single cab in person is quite baffling as its boot space is absolutely huge. Seriously those wanting to move big things will never go wrong with the P-Series single cab. Outside, the P-Series proves to be quite stylish too with the front coming with a black meshed pattern grille. On the road, its instantly recognizable with its large 17-inch alloy wheels guaranteed to capture all bystander’s attention. There are some things to fault its exterior however as the parts do feel like it is made from lower quality. This is where that value for money decision really comes to play as although it looks large and mighty in person, will it be durable when it comes to doing doing the heavy lifting.
Comfortable interior
The cabin of the P-Series is in our opinion one of the best value-for-money interiors ever featured in a single cab. Unlike other brands which pay a little less attention to their cabins, the P-Series has certainly pulled out all the stops to make sure their driver and passenger remain comfortable. Stepping inside you can expect a range of features such as a 9-inch touchscreen interface infotainment system that offers both Apple Carplay and Android Auto as well as a reverse camera, that comes in handy when manoeuvring this massive bakkie. Its seats also proved to be quite comfortable and although we can critique the cabin’s not-so-great sound system, it’s important to remember that this is perhaps one of the best value for buck single cabs on the market.
Verdict
GWM has made it clear that they will claw their way into this competitive bakkie if they need to. Given how affordable and spacious the P-Series single cab is, we may even see GWM getting an upper hand in the fight. But here is the thing, just how practical and durable will the P-Series be. Unlike other brands that have been around for decades and have proved their worth, the P-Series is still relevantly new. Nonetheless, we do applaud GWM for building such a unique and stylish bakkie.
Pricing
SX 4X2 6MT R339 900
SX 4X4 6MT R384 900
DLX 4X2 6MT R359 900
DLX 4X4 6MT R404 900
Also worth a look: the GWM P500 and the Driven: The GWM TANK 300 HEV — Power Meets Eco-Conscious Off.
FAQ
Q: What does the 2020 GWM P-Series Single Cab cost in South Africa?
The 2020 GWM P-Series Commercial Single Cab retails for around R389,900 in South Africa, making it one of the more affordable options in the single cab bakkie segment with decent power figures.
Q: Is the GWM P-Series Single Cab worth buying?
The P-Series Single Cab offers excellent value for money with its 120kW turbo diesel engine, massive load bay, and competitive pricing at R389,900, though you'll need to accept some turbo lag and slightly cheaper interior materials.
Q: How much power does the GWM P-Series Single Cab produce?
The P-Series Single Cab's 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine produces 120kW of power and 400Nm of torque, paired exclusively with a 6-speed manual transmission.
Q: What are the main problems with the GWM P-Series Single Cab?
The main issues include noticeable turbo lag which affects low-end response, interior materials that feel somewhat cheap, and limited transmission options with only a manual gearbox available.
Q: How does the GWM P-Series compare to Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger?
The P-Series offers similar power to entry-level Hilux and Ranger models but at a significantly lower price point of R389,900, though it lacks the proven reliability record and resale value of the Japanese and American alternatives.
Should You Buy It?
The best value single cab bakkie under R400,000 in South Africa is the 2020 GWM P-Series Commercial Single Cab at R389,900. Despite some turbo lag and budget interior materials, you're getting a genuinely capable workhorse with 120kW of power, 400Nm of torque, and a load bay that'll swallow just about anything you throw at it. If you need maximum space for minimum cash and don't mind driving a manual, the P-Series Single Cab is absolutely worth buying. However, if brand prestige and resale value matter more than your wallet, stick with the tried-and-tested Hilux or Ranger.
