Mahindra S10 4×4 Pik-Up…Fit for its purpose

Some flash styling touches are in evidence around the nose of an otherwise utilitarian vehicle

THE life of a motoring journalist is not all about driving around in someone else’s flash cars as my one neighbour often infers and maybe he came to realise that when he saw the large and vertically imposing Mahindra Pik-Up lurking on my driveway.

This time he didn’t ask for a drive around the block and neither did my opposite neighbour who was positively derogatory about my short-term new steed, so much so that I have to admit to harbouring a few pangs of pity for my Indian-sourced wheels.

His attack jolted my memory bank into recollecting the exploits of the Mahindra TUV300 I had tenure of a few months back and which proved to be a much more worthy device – in relation to the asking price – than common perception would suggest.

And so it was that I clambered aboard this rather big (5.2m) bakkie, taking due care to avoid soiling my legs on the somewhat prominent sill railings which seem to be a necessary appendage in terms of adding to the macho image that bakkie drivers appear intent on portraying.

Once ensconced, it soon becomes apparent that the materials used in lining this machine’s cabin will not be finding themselves on display at any exhibition promoting the tactility and visual appeal of modern plastics and fabrics. But hey, let’s put this into perspective and announce at an early stage that this is not a flash-harry pick-up but a workhorse pure, and simple.  Or is it?

After fighting off early impressions of hard plastics that try with success to look and feel like hard plastics, I couldn’t help but notice rather a lot of kit on board, not least a centre infotainment screen complete with sat nav and sound options and a fair bit of feedback on things like fuel consumption, range etc.

Oddly, the consumption read out showed as km per litre which is verboten elsewhere, but I might as well tell you that the week’s figure worked out to 13.3 km/l which, to save you the chore of working it out the proper way, equates to a very pleasing 7.5l/100km, a thirst very close to the quoted combined figure – for a change. Add in an 80-litre fuel tank and the reward comes in the form of driving past more filling stations than your neighbours will driving a typical hatchback with a fuel capacity of half that amount.

Motive power comes courtesy of a turbo-4 displacing 2179cc and producing 103kW at a mere 3 750 rpm together with a torque peak of 320Nm that stretches all the way from 1500 to 2800 rpm. At idle, and especially when cold, there’s a fair clatter kicked up, but on the move, the motor is more restrained and has enough torque in reserve to minimise the number of gear changes needed to maintain decent momentum.

Indeed, out on the open road, the Mahindra easily maintains the national limit thanks to that torque, and a high sixth gear, but don’t expect to waft along like you would in a luxury saloon. Above 100km/h. wind noise makes its presence heard to a disconcerting extent, especially around the upper door seals and around the large, electrically-activated wing mirrors.

Let’s be realistic though – this is a commercial vehicle and not a Joburg poser’s bakkie festooned with after-market sound equipment and flash alloy wheels that can be seen from the other side of the moon. This one does actually have alloy wheels of relatively restrained design and they are shod with (rare) 245/75R16 rubber. Despite having side walls of considerable depth, the unladen ride is pretty awful with the smallest imperfections jostling occupants and jiggling the rear end to an even greater extent than with ostensibly softer-sprung bakkies.

I never did put a load in the generous but rather sketchily-finished load bay, but a 1-tonne payload should quell things a bit even if it does nothing for the woolly and vague power steering which I guess does what is otherwise intended in reducing steering effort.  Note though, that the turning circle resembles that of the Queen Mary.

Large load area will accommodate up to 995kg

Happily, the clutch is pleasantly weighted and takes up with soft-serve-like smoothness, and that six-speed gearbox, notwithstanding rather long throws, actually shifts with commendable precision and less of a clunky feel that some might expect.

The brakes too worked just fine once the rather underwhelming level of low speed assistance had become familiar, so all in all, the Pik-Up gets along better than critics might expect but please don’t entertain thoughts of a marshmallow-like ride and precise handling.

 I never did go off-road but for those that do, this model boasted a 4X4 installation operated by a simply-marked rotary controller displaying 2H, 4H and 4L. Ground clearance is generous, and the same comment applies to approach and departure angles all of which suggest that bushwhackers will be at home in this Mahindra.

Having got distracted from the earlier subject of equipment levels, allow me to tell you that the cabin also features two airbags, four grab handles, rake-adjustable steering, air con, Bluetooth, cruise control – both operated by steering wheel controls – lots of interior lighting, decent if shallow storage receptacles that include a specs compartment, fully-carpeted floor, five head restraints, electric headlight adjustment, central locking and more.

The seats are covered with an acceptable quality self-patterned charcoal cloth. Those in the front are large and well-bolstered and adjustable for recline and fore/aft movement, while the driver enjoys height adjustment too.  Comfort levels proved to be just fine but those in the back will find themselves sitting rather upright. They do benefit though, from a centre armrest and there are three inertia belts on offer along with ISOFIX mountings. Head room and foot room is generous; lateral space less so.

In terms of external finish, the test unit was swathed in a metallic silver coat of entirely acceptable smoothness and gloss but please don’t expect to find wafer-thin panel gaps. By modern standards, those gaps are rather obvious but at least they are even. And the aforementioned load bay, complete with external tie-downs, sports a lot of rather obvious filler around the lower edges of the bay and around the forward edges immediately behind the cabin.

So, what to make of this Mahindra Pik-Up? The first and most important aspect to consider is the asking price and at under R360 000, it represents very, very good value given the surprising levels of standard equipment. It is massively cheaper than any bakkie of similar size, engine output or specification, so something has to give and that’s the general ambience of the presentation as a whole.

Despite all the bits and pieces that make life so much easier on board, it is a utilitarian device that I’m sure will provide yeoman service in this capacity. Look at it in this light and those that don’t need or don’t value glitz in a vehicle of this ilk could well be smugly happy with their selection. My neighbour though, probably won’t agree!

(Vehicle spec and pricing refers to SA market)