JMC is counting down to an 80th birthday in 2027, and the new Grand Avenue may be the bakkie to cut that cake. Launched in Cape Town on the 9th of September 2026, the Grand Avenue, it was clearly stated, is not a dressed-up Vigus. Grand Avenue sits on a different chassis, with room in the architecture for possible New Energy Vehicle (NEV) powertrains later. That matters. It means the brand is no longer stretching one old ladder frame across every badge.
Being a bakkie of Chinese origin cannot be an easy task. On one hand the traditionalists keep doubting your credentials, while on the other hand the new buyers are keen, as long as features are plenty and price is low. At 5.4 metres long this one has the American truck stance South Africans now expect from a flagship double cab. The load bay is 1.59 metres wide, which is wide enough to carry most daily loads, as well as work-related ones like pallets.
Under the bonnet is a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel, straight-four making 155kW of power and 500Nm of torque, sent through the axles via an 8-speed automatic. Buyers can choose between a 4×2 or a 4×4 version.
One of the coolest and actually useful features is the telescopic rear tailgate step. Also, rear seats flip, so the cabin can swallow awkward cargo when the load box is already full of other stuff. JMC, despite its long history in the market, has long lived in the shadow of bigger Chinese groups and the established Japanese bakkies. Grand Avenue is their strongest attempt to step up into a larger, more finished segment, and is deliberately priced to undercut the usual suspects. The different chassis is probably the main tell, with a more compliant and comfortable ride than the Vigus, as positioning so fits.
We got to drive the Grand Avenue under different conditions, including the open freeway, some gravel and a bit of off-road. On the freeway it held sturdy, giving relatively smooth feedback to the multifunction steering wheel and seats, while on gravel the ride was good, not great. Surprisingly off the beaten path the bakkie did some real work, tackling obstacles that more established names would also find challenging. It acquainted itself with aplomb, despite being fitted with standard wheels and tyres. This bit was not tested during the mini adventure, but JMC assures us that this bakkie has an impressive wading depth of 800mm, as well as a 3.5 tonne towing capacity.
JMC has kept up with the times, installing a large 31.2cm touch screen to access the likes of your radio transmission, Bluetooth connectivity, Android Auto and Apple Carplay among a number of others. Perhaps where some of the “value” was found is in places like the front seats, which are only manually adjustable, the lack of automatic headlights and the like. Even in the range-topping 4×4 model.
So will it steal Hilux or Ranger volume overnight? Unlikely. As the latest figures show, Toyota still owns the monthly sales table, and Ford still owns the performance conversation. But at this price, with that rear load bin width and a diesel that already speaks the language of Mzansi off-road and gravel driving, towing and daily work, Grand Avenue is worth a serious look.
JMC Grand Avenue Prices
4×2 – R529 900
4×4 – R579 900