The latest addition to JMC’s local bakkie brigade, the Grand Avenue serves up space and presence in spades at a very compelling price point. We’ve driven it in Cape Town. First impressions here…
Image: JMC
What are we driving?
The Grand Avenue is JMC South Africa’s new flagship double-cab pickup, serving as a larger and more comfortably appointed take on the more workmanlike Vigus that we tested in the August 2026 issue of CAR magazine. Two models are offered – both featuring JMC’s 2.5-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel powerplant and eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, with the differentiating factors being their respective 4×2 and 4×4 drivetrains.
Why is the JMC Grand Avenue significant?
To say that the double-cab market here in South Africa is an important one would be something of an understatement, so the arrival of any new model in this segment is bound to generate a veritable groundswell of interest. Perhaps the most significant aspect of the Grand Avenue range is its sheer affordability. In a leisure-oriented double-cab market where pricing north of R700 000 is the norm, the JMC Grand Avenue comes in at R529 900 for the 4×2 model and R579 000 for the 4×4 driven here. Factor in healthy power outputs (155 kW and 500 N.m) from an uprated version of the 2.5-litre turbodiesel servicing the Vigus and genuine off-road ability courtesy of underpinnings with considerable axle articulation, 235 mm of ground clearance, a BorgWarner-sourced four-wheel-drive system, automatically locking rear differential and a sizeable load bed (546 mm deep, 1 546 mm long, and 1 595 mm wide) and an 870 kg payload, and the Grand Avenue could potentially speak to those looking for a pickup that can ably bridge the workhorse/family vehicle divide.
What’s new on the JMC Grand Avenue?
Perhaps the more pertinent question is what differentiates this model from the Vigus. In terms of overall dimensions, the JMC Grand Avenue is larger than the Vigus in every direction – 5 450 mm in length, 1 935 mm wide, 1 890 mm tall, and with a 3 270 mm wheelbase, for reference. That’s around 100 mm longer, 20 mm lower, and with a matching wheelbase. The latter reflects shared manufacturing and development ties between Ford and JMC going back to the late 1990s, as does the architecture and design of its NB25 turbodiesel engine, which can trace some of its lineage to Ford’s ‘Puma’ series Duratorq diesels. It would also go some way to explaining both the Vigus’ and Grand Avenue’s rugged, boxy styling – the latter echoing elements of Ford’s Ranger and F-150 pickups.
What does the JMC Grand Avenue cost in South Africa?
The range-topping 4×4 model comes in at R579 900, while the 4×2 costs R529 900. Both are covered by a 100 000 km service plan and a 200 000 km warranty, both spanning five years. In terms of standard specification, this outlay nets you such features as keyless entry and ignition, a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay – as well as a function that allows the screen to be tilted towards the driver or passenger – seven-inch TFT instrument panel, climate control, leather upholstery, tyre pressure monitoring, 18-inch alloy wheels, electric windows and mirrors, and cruise control, among others.
What are the JMC Grand Avenue’s rivals?
At this price point, there’s not much. Mahindra’s 2.2CRDe Pik Up 4×4 S11 Karoo DC is similarly priced (R560 499) but doesn’t feel nearly as modern or powerful. GWM’s LS-spec P300 2.4T 4×4 DC is closer to the mark in terms of outputs and execution. Going the diesel-engined 4×4 auto route in more established products such as the D-Max, Ranger and Hilux will see you paying upwards of R150 000 more than the outlay for the range-topping JMC.
What is the JMC Grand Avenue 2.5D 4×4 AT like to drive?
With 155 kW and 500 N.m on tap, the JMC Grand Avenue 2.5D 4×4 AT is one of the more powerful offerings in its segment. The ZF auto ’box is assured in its actions and doesn’t hunt around for ratios aimlessly when pressing on, but it does feel a bit highly geared. This is a mixed blessing, as it seems to mask the 500 N.m of twist available but it makes the Grand Avenue feel calm and long-legged on the open road.
The steering – often a weak point in Chinese pickups – is light and accurate (perhaps we’re detecting the hand of an association with Ford here, too?) and the ride served up by the double-wishbone front and live-axle rear suspension setup is composed; only succumbing to a spot of ungainly waddle when pressed into serious off-roading.
Off-road, the Grand Avenue 2.5D 4×4 AT is very capable, with good levels of axle articulation and a wide track. The BorgWarner system allows you to toggle easily between 2H/4H/4L and that automatic electro-mechanical rear diff does give you some handy additional traction, but its operation (it activates when detecting wheelspin) means you have to stay on the throttle to keep it in play – back of prematurely and it will disengage, taking your traction with it. This means some obstacles will require more of a gung-ho approach than you’d initially anticipate, but once you’re accustomed to this quirk there’s little that will flummox the Grand Avenue off-road.
NVH suppression isn’t quite on par with more expensive rivals, with a spot of boominess from the engine penetrating the cabin when accelerating, but is generally fine. The cabin itself is spacious – especially in the rear passenger compartment, where there’s plenty of legroom, even for six-footers. The cabin finishes are a mixed bag. There are some nice slush-moulded elements on the upper facia and pleasingly soft neoprene-like panels on the lower sections and door cards, but the faux wood inlays look a little low-rent. Thankfully, the driving position is high but comfy, aided by rake-and-reach adjustment for the steering column and height-adjustable seats.
Verdict
From a bang-for-buck standpoint, the JMC Grand Avenue 2.5D 4×4 AT is very impressive – serving up plenty of space, composed road manners and genuine off-road ability. Its lower pricing does come with some caveats, though. There’s the impression of thinner-gauge metals in the bodywork that’s evident in the unseemly ‘clank’ with which the doors and tailgate close. And while it doesn’t feel spartan, flagship double-cab omissions of such features as ADAS, auto lights and wipers, and electrically adjustable seats are noticeable but aren’t likely to prove mission-critical to those looking for a spacious and largely capable double-cab. Given that it feels all-round capable and has the sort of presence double-cab owners are looking for – not to mention that very competitive price – the Grand Avenue 2.5D 4×4 AT is well worth investigating.
JMC Grand Avenue 2.5D 4×4 AT specifications
- Price: R579 900
- Engine: 2.5-litre, four-cylinder, turbodiesel
- Transmission: eight-speed automatic
- Driven wheels: all
- Power: 155 kW @ 3 200 r/min
- Torque: 500 N.m @ 1 500-2 400 r/min
- 0-100 km/h: 10.4 seconds (claimed)
- Top speed: n/a
- Fuel consumption: 7.2 L/100 km (claimed)
- CO2 emissions: 196 g/km (claimed)
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