We recently got to test the new JMC Vigus in automatic and manual 4×2 guise.
A step up from the Vigus Pro, it is slab-sided and, in the case of the automatic, striking in its Engineering Yellow paint. Both variants ride on 17” alloy wheels that just manage to fill the wheel arches.
Exterior styling
As a workhorse, JMC has resisted fitting colour-coded door handles or LED headlights. However, the chromed ‘JMC’ and ‘Vigus’ tailgate badges add a classy touch, as does the stepped rear bumper, a feature often not available at this price point.
Good-looking interior
Opening the door reveals the biggest departure from the Vigus Pro. A JMC-specific dashboard houses a 9” instrument cluster recessed deeply enough to avoid the typical Chinese vehicle problem of being obscured by the steering wheel.
Less modern are the mint-green graphics and the good-looking but impractical two-tone black-and-white fabric seats.
Fit-and-finish is more about longevity than being plush. In this instance, the plastics are hard but solid.
However, the fingerprint-friendly piano-key black centre console is less appealing, as is the imitation stitch work on the dash.
Different audio systems
The manual features an LCD audio system and conventional air-conditioning controls.
The automatic upgrades to a 12,8” infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Ventilation controls move below the air vents, while the reverse camera displays on the infotainment screen.
Cruise-control switches are also added to the steering wheel.
Plenty of space
Front space is generous and the storage tray ahead of the gear lever is useful.
Rear passengers also enjoy impressive head- and leg-room, although the lack of an armrest and rear air vents may disappoint.
Starting the Vigus is still done by a key inserted into an ignition barrel as no variant has push-button start.
Diesel power
Power comes from a 2,5ℓ turbodiesel engine that makes 123kW of power and 410Nm of torque in the manual and 430Nm on the automatic.
The automatic is relatively smooth, but prone to hunting on downshifts. The manual’s ratios are overly short, with a propensity to run out of puff quickly above 2 700rpm.
While more responsive low-down compared to the automatic, the ratios will pose a long-term annoyance, even as a workhorse.
Frugal sipper
Refinement is good for this segment, with JMC making a worthwhile effort to suppress wind and engine noise.
Fuel consumption proved particularly impressive. Over seven days, the automatic averaged as low as 7,7ℓ/100km, while the manual returned 7,5ℓ/100km.
What’s the verdict?
By no stretch will JMC’s return to the bakkie segment trouble the likes of Ford, Toyota, Isuzu or maybe even Mahindra.
At R399 900 for the manual and R459 900 for the automatic, smaller players are directly in the firing line from what is a decent if not earth-shattering product.
