It doesn’t have the most exciting or evocative of names, but
I drove a Great Wall Steed down to Castle Douglas for the Galloway Hills at the
weekend and I was really quite surprised by this latest Chinese import.
As far as 4x4 pickups go, it certainly looks the part while
the interior is remarkably well equipped. You get the feeling that the marketing
men have thrown a confectionary bag of accessories at the cabin. Some have
stuck better than others, but even so, the kit hit-list is mighty impressive
for a capable and practical vehicle in this price range. It’s got full leather
trim and it even has heated front seats!
Running in 2WD mode as standard, the 4WD transmission and diffs
are controlled electronically at the push of switch and it also has a lo-ratio
setting. Ideal if stuck in a boggy forestry ditch!
The 141 bhp, 2 litre turbo-diesel engine won’t crick your
neck under acceleration, but with a six speed gearbox it will pull a 2 tonne
trailer. On the round trip to Castle Douglas, it was getting somewhere in the
region of 35 mpg cruising quite happily at the legal limit with a remarkably pliant
ride.
The only downsides are more niggles than seriously critical.
The steering is low geared and more hopeful than directional, the seat cushions
are bit short for the longer legged and the load-lashing loops in the loadbox
sidewall have been covered up by the canopy clamps. So there’s nowhere to tie
down the trolley jack and toolbox!
It comes with a 3 year/60,000 mile Warranty which is not
quite industry leading, but here’s the clincher. All in, it costs 16 grand plus
VAT and that includes the alloys and reversing sensors, plus a full size spare
wheel - and none of this compressor and spray-goo nonsense.
