Arctic Test 2021: Bakkies go head-to-head in the ice and snow!
Arctic Test 2021: Bakkies go head-to-head in the ice and snow!
Bakkies recently took to the wintry forest trails and highways of Finland for the 35th Arctic Test. HENRI PAKARINEN reports that today’s European specification 1-tonne bakkies have improved substantially, with excellent off-road features, and they’re also comfortable to drive on the open road.
Southern Finland provided bracing winter conditions for the expert crew to test the features of these vehicles. Included in the test on this occasion were the Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max, Mitsubishi L200, Nissan Navara and Toyota Hilux. All vehicles were equipped with an automatic transmission and studded winter tyres.
Arctic conditions
Weather-wise there couldn’t have been a better time for the annual Arctic Test. There was so much snow in southern Finland that the sports shops were facing a big demand for cross-country skiing equipment. At night, the temperature dropped to -20°C, and even during the daytime the mercury did not rise to the warmer side of -10°C.
The test vehicles undertook a 400-km road driving test from Helsinki to near Turku, on to Loimaa and then back to Helsinki. Each vehicle had about 230 kg of load weight added. One of the important features of bakkies is their ability to operate even in difficult off-road conditions. The vehicles were put to an off-road test on Arctic Trucks’ off-road track in Porvoo. Due to the abundant snow, the terrain conditions were challenging.
The test vehicles were refuelled with Teboil Winter diesel and Yara AdBlue. Of note was that the AdBlue tank on most of these vehicles was positioned next to the fuel tank, with the exception of Nissan, where it was located on the other side of the vehicle, and Toyota, where the liquid urea tank was located in the engine bay. The fuel consumption was measured on the road driving sections. Before the test runs, the vehicles were evaluated and measured in terms of service points, interior noise and dimensions. On the test mornings, the so-called “cold start” was also measured, taking note of the internal temperature at the time of starting the vehicle and the temperature after a specified driving time. During this time, the temperature and fan settings were set to the maximum position on all bakkies.
Driving comfort
Over the years, bakkies have become larger and, at first glance, the vehicles in this year’s line-up all looked similar. Bakkies have always been versatile, capable of a variety of work tasks, and over the years they have been designed also to be more passenger-friendly. The quality of equipment and driveability is high – so much so that they can easily be seen as an attractive option to anyone planning to buy a sport utility vehicle (SUV) – especially if the vehicle can be used for more than just commuting.
At more than five metres long, these bakkies are so large that cornering and reversing into parking spaces and driving along narrow streets can sometimes be awkward, even though their driveability matches that of passenger cars. Admittedly, in the worst snowstorms and freezing frosts of this winter, the performance of these test vehicles proved to be a viable solution in the urban environment as well, setting a benchmark compared to the difficulties encountered by front-wheel drive passenger cars on slippery and snow-filled streets.
The vehicles in the test were all double cabs. The Mitsubishi L200 and Ford Ranger were converted into a van, meaning the rear seat section was removed. (In Finland, the motor taxation system categorises bakkies with a back seat differently and makes them almost €20 000 (about R336 988) more expensive.)
The equipment levels, driver assist systems and infotainment technologies were slightly different in each bakkie but, in general, the specs were of a high standard. The road journey was facilitated by adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning systems, and reversing was handled by cameras and radars, while smartphones could be connected to touch-screen infotainment systems via Bluetooth or USB.
Cargo handling
A generous amount of cargo could be loaded on each of the double cabs tested. The loaded pallets were approximately 1,5 metres long, with the longest cargo bed being Isuzu and Nissan at 1 520 mm and the shortest being the Mitsubishi at 1 420 mm.
Securing the transported goods was achieved best in the Ford and Nissan, where each had six load lashing loops and a side rail. On the Isuzu and Toyota, the load lashing opportunities were minimal, with only four lashing loops on their platform. In terms of load capacity, each vehicle tested had an average 1 000 kg total payload, with the Mitsubishi topping the scales at 1 075 kg. These four-wheel drive-vehicles are well suited for towing. They are able to pull a 3,5-tonne braked trailer, with the exception of the Mitsubishi, which has a maximum weight of 3 210 kg.
On the road
On the road, all the loaded bakkies proved very sound and enjoyable to drive, especially when the platform was loaded with some weight and the roads were very slippery. The general observation was that four-wheel drive provides additional safety in all driving conditions.
The drivers faced a challenge when it came to ranking the vehicles, as the roadworthiness of all the vehicles was good. Nevertheless, the best score in the test drivers’ ratings on the road was ultimately given to the Ford Ranger, with the Toyota Hilux coming in second.
The test crew praised the Ford Ranger 2.0-litre diesel’s overall driveability and especially its cabin comfort and equipment levels – for example, its highly customisable digital speedometer, which can be adjusted to suit the driver’s preferences. The Toyota Hilux’s 2.8-litre engine also impressed with its responsive steering. Its general grip on the road and its good strong and supportive seats were also praised.
The Mitsubishi L200’s equipment level and precise, robust steering were highlighted in the test drivers’ assessments. However, the high-quality leather steering wheel felt slippery when drivers were wearing gloves. The manual shift switches on the back of the steering wheel were also awkward to use with gloves.
The recently introduced Isuzu D-Max was enjoyable to drive on the road, and the new dashboard was perceived as more traditional and easier to use. The dial-type heater controls were simple to use, even with gloves on. However, on the motorway the Isuzu’s interior noise was found to be the loudest of all the vehicles.
The drivers agreed that the Nissan Navara performed superbly on the road. The driver’s seat adjustment was singled out for praise, but, on the other hand, its tighter entry and exit points were less favourably judged, as were its confusing controls and less than responsive steering.
The vehicle with the lowest fuel consumption for the on-road driving test was the Nissan Navara (8,76 l/100 km), while the thirstiest diesel user was the Toyota Hilux at 9,41 l/100 km.
Cold start and noise levels
Cold start and heating measurements were taken on two mornings, both of which had a temperature of -20°C. On the first morning, the ventilation fans in the bakkies were directed towards the windshield and driven at full power for 20 minutes. The differences were minimal when the heat in all the bakkies had risen to just over 10°C both in the footwell and as far up as the armrest.
The second morning, the air-conditioning was directed towards the windshield and legroom area. The heat and fan were then running at full power for 40 minutes, after which the heat had risen relatively evenly in the footwell (close to 30°C). It was 20°C on the armrest and also about 30°C at the auxiliary driver’s headrest.
In regard to the engine sound measurements, the Isuzu and Ford had the least noise levels while idling. On the highway the Nissan and Ford were the quietest. With regard to decibel measurements, it is worth noting that they do not fully match the driver’s hearing experience. Certain sound frequencies can cause greater irritation in the listener’s ear, even if the decibel levels remain the same. This explains why, for example, Isuzu’s engine noise levels were perceived to be the loudest on the road, and why Nissan was criticised for a “tractor-like sound” on the off-road track, even though the decibel levels were quite similar in all vehicles.
Off-road
Arctic Trucks’ off-road track in Porvoo provided an excellent location for testing the off-road capability of these utility-cum-leisure vehicles. Arctic Trucks was founded in Iceland in 1980 and the company has in-depth knowledge of how to improve off-road vehicles for harsh and challenging conditions.
Snowy conditions offer particular challenges off-road. The driveway had been compacted by an off-road vehicle so that the bakkies could drive on it smoothly. However, the drivers still had to be careful, as there was deep snow alongside the roadway, and one could easily get caught in it and slide away…
Significant progress has been made by tyre companies over the past decade. The correct tyres played an important role on this snowy off-road route, which would have been impossible to complete with the tyres from the past.
All the test bakkies offered the choice between rear-wheel drive, four-wheel drive and slow geared four-wheel drive. In the Mitsubishi, the slow all-wheel drive was further divided into two different speed options. The terrain test was run with a slow four-wheel drive. In a particularly difficult situation, help could still be obtained by engaging the rear differential lock. Based on the experience of the off-road day, there was a clear benefit in practice from Hill Descend Control (found in each vehicle).
According to the test drivers, ease of use and clarity of operation are important in choosing a traction method. In every vehicle, it is implemented with a rotary selector switch that is simple to use. There were small differences between them, in terms of the clutch systems used for the differential lock, Hill Descent Control, and other auxiliary systems, as well as in how the vehicle indicates that they are engaged. This caused a bit of confusion when moving from one bakkie to another.
Confusion was also created by the switching on and off of the slow four-wheel drive in particular. The process was not straightforward: it sometimes required a shift into neutral.
Off-road challenges
Generally, each test vehicle performed well in the off-road test. The most difficult obstacle was a steep hill with a slippery surface and loose snow. Locking of the differential certainly helped. As the drivers gained more experience of the obstacle and vehicles, all the bakkies – even without the lock – successfully scaled the hill.
The Mitsubishi L200, which had the tightest turning circle in the test, also had the smallest ground clearance. In terms of ground clearance, Toyota achieved the best result, but it also had the largest turning circle.
The new D-Max from Isuzu narrowly scored the most points on the off-road test. Its durable suspension was felt to be particularly suitable for off-road use, making it a comfortable and agile vehicle to drive. The Ford Ranger was also considered by the test drivers to be a good off-road vehicle and it ran smoothly on the off-road track. The Ranger had a good steering feel and a smooth suspension setting in all terrains. Mitsubishi’s and Toyota’s suspension solutions seemed to work well in off-road use, according to the test drivers’ comments. When the Nissan Navara lost grip while driving uphill, its rear axle started to bounce more easily compared to other vehicles.
The verdict
The test proved to be a very even contest. For example, there were not many differences in noise decibel measurements and cold start performances. In the on-road and off-road test, the driving experiences were recorded as comfortable and smooth.
On road, the Ford Ranger received the best overall rating. In the off-road test, the bakkies excelled, even in surprisingly difficult places. None of the test bakkies disappointed on the off-road track. While the Isuzu D-Max was rated as best in the off-road test, also by a small margin, the Nissan Navara had the lowest fuel consumption for more than 400 km of on-road driving. It was a case of horses for courses, with the Ford Ranger, twice winner of the International Pick-up Award, once again showing its pedigree.
General assessment – For and Against
FORD RANGER
+ Best points on the road
+ More “passenger car-like”
+ Functionality and the size of the load platform
– Slightly jerky gear shifting in the off-road track
– Turning circle
ISUZU D-MAX
+ Best points in the off-road track
+ Best points on maintenance
+ Simple dashboard
– Noise levels
– Fuel consumption
– Some test drivers found the lane assist more distracting than helpful
MITSUBISHI L200
+ Steering on the road
+ Biggest load capacity
+ Smallest turning circle
– Least ground clearance
– Weakest towing capacity
– Acceleration
NISSAN NAVARA
+ Lowest fuel consumption
+ Driver switchgear adjustments
+ Smallest turning circle
– Visibility
– Suspension on off-road track’s hill
– Cruise control not adaptive
TOYOTA HILUX
+ Engine
+ Speedometer and dashboard
+ Highest ground clearance
– Turning circle
– Highest fuel consumption
Test vehicles: SA availability
The vehicles that were tested in the Arctic are European specification bakkies. This is when they will be available locally:
• Ford Ranger: already sold in South Africa
• Isuzu D-Max: will be built in South Africa and launched here in Q2, 2022.
• Mitsubishi L200: available in South Africa but it is called the Triton and not the L200.
• Nissan Navara: the new South Africa-made Navara bakkie is set to roll off the production line at Nissan’s Rosslyn plant this month (June).
• Toyota Hilux: already sold in South Africa
| Cabin equipment | |||||
| Ford | Isuzu | Mitsubishi | Nissan | Toyota | |
| Clothes hooks | 2 (back) | 3 (back) | 2 (back) | – | 2 (backwall) + 2 (back of the seat) |
| Steering wheel adjustment depth (mm) | – | 40 | 40 | – | 40 |
| Steering wheel adjustment vertical (mm) | 50 | 60 | 40 | 20 | 50 |
| Steering wheel diameter (mm) | 380 | 370 | 380 | 370 | 380 |
| USB plugs | 2 | 1 | 4 + 1 HDMI | 1 | 1 |
| Cargo Area | |||||
| Ford | Isuzu | Mitsubishi | Nissan | Toyota | |
| Cargo area length (mm) | 1475 | 1520 | 1420 | 1520 | 1490 |
| Brim height (mm) | 560 | 507 | 500 | 500 | 480 |
| Tyre cover between (mm) | 1150 | 1120 | 1050 | 1120 | 1090 |
| Tyre cover length (mm) | 790 | 690 | 660 | 700 | 700 |
| Tyre cover width (mm) | 200 | 200 | 230 | 170 | 230 |
| Tyre cover height (mm) | 160 | 200 | 290 | 210 | 250 |
| Loading height (mm) | 870 | 820 | 850 | 900 | 880 |
| Cargo lashing lugs | 6 + rail | 4 | 6 | 6 + rail | 4 |
| Cabin Measurements | |||||
| Ford | Isuzu | Mitsubishi | Nissan | Toyota | |
| Cabin width (mm) | 1350 | 1350 | 1320 | 1340 | 1320 |
| Seat from floor min. – max. (mm) | 230-370 | 290-340 | 270-300 | 270-330 | 270-330 |
| Floor from ground (mm) | 550 | 550 | 550 | 550 | 590 |
| Step height (mm) | 350 | – | 350 | 390 | 380 |
| Doorway width (mm) | 740 | 700 | 710 | 740 | 670 |
| Steering wheel from floor (mm) | 450-500 | 440-500 | 430-470 | 450-480 | 420-470 |
| Fuel consumption on the road | |||||
| Vehicle | Ford | Isuzu | Mitsubishi | Nissan | Toyota |
Average consumption (l/100 km) | 8,92 | 9,03 | 8,91 | 8,76 | 9,41 |
| Off-road – Vehicle information | |||||
| Ford | Isuzu | Mitsubishi | Nissan | Toyota | |
| Turning circle (m) | 12,7 | 12,5 | 11,8 | 12 | 12,8 |
| Ground clearence (mm) | 237 | 240 | 205 | 223 | 293 |
| Wading depth (mm) | 800 | 800 | 600 | 600 | 700 |
| Approach angle | 29° | 30,5° | 30° | 30° | 29° |
| Departure angle | 27° | 24,2° | 22° | 24° | 26° |
| Breakover angle | 24° | 22,9° | 24° | ||
| Serviceability | |||||
| Ford | Isuzu | Mitsubishi | Nissan | Toyota | |
| Oil check | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Oil filling | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Coolant check | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Coolant filling | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Brake fluid check | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Brake fluid filling | 2 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Battery | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Auxiliary current output/input | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Fuse layout | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Fuse identification | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Headlight change | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Spare wheel | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Tools | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| (Grading scale 1-5: 0=fail, 1=passable, 2=satisfactory, 3=good, 4=very good, 5=excellent) | |||||
| Tyres | ||
| Brand | Size | |
| Ford | Continental | 265/65 R17 |
| Isuzu | Nokian | 245/70 R17 |
| Mitsubishi | Continental | 265/60 R18 |
| Nissan | Nokian | 255/60 R18 |
| Toyota | Nokian | 265/60 R18 |
| Noise measurement | |||||
| Ford | Isuzu | Mitsubishi | Nissan | Toyota | |
| Idling | |||||
| Fan min. (1) (db A) | 49 | 48 | 55 | 50 | 57 |
| Fan max. (db A) | 64 | 65 | 67 | 68 | 64 |
| On the road, fan min. (1) RWD | |||||
| 60 km/h | 63 | 65 | 65 | 63 | 65 |
| 80 km/h | 65 | 67 | 66 | 64 | 67 |
| On the road, fan min. (1) 4WD | |||||
| 60 km/h | 63 | 65 | 65 | 64 | 65 |
| 80 km/h | 65 | 67 | 67 | 66 | 67 |
| Driver evaluation on the road | |||||
| Ford | Isuzu | Mitsubishi | Nissan | Toyota | |
| General | |||||
| Step in cabin | 3,2 | 2,4 | 2,8 | 2,8 | 3 |
| To find driving position | 4 | 3,4 | 3,6 | 3,6 | 3,8 |
| Mirror adjustment | 3 | 3,8 | 3 | 3,2 | 3,4 |
| Cabin general | 4,2 | 3,4 | 3,6 | 3,6 | 4 |
| Driving | |||||
| Engine | 4,2 | 2,8 | 3,2 | 3,4 | 3,8 |
| Gear | 3,8 | 3,4 | 3,2 | 3,4 | 3,4 |
| Brakes | 3,4 | 3,4 | 3,4 | 3,4 | 3,4 |
| Suspension | 3,6 | 3,2 | 3,2 | 3,2 | 3,6 |
| Steering | 3,8 | 3,8 | 3,6 | 3,4 | 3,8 |
| Grip of wheels | 3,2 | 3,2 | 3,2 | 3,4 | 3,2 |
| Acceleration | 4 | 3,5 | 2,8 | 3,5 | 3,5 |
| Driver comfort | 4,4 | 4 | 3,8 | 3,4 | 4 |
| Driver seat | 4,4 | 3,2 | 3,6 | 4 | 3,8 |
| Dashboard | 3,6 | 3,4 | 2,8 | 3 | 3,2 |
| Speedometer | 3,6 | 2,8 | 2,8 | 2,6 | 3,2 |
| Heater controls | 3,2 | 3,6 | 3,2 | 3 | 3,2 |
| Heating system | 3,6 | 3,4 | 3,4 | 3,4 | 3,8 |
| Visibility | 3,2 | 3,4 | 3,4 | 3,2 | 3,2 |
| Side mirrors | 3,8 | 4 | 3,6 | 3,6 | 3,6 |
| Noise in cabin | 3,6 | 2,8 | 3 | 3 | 3,4 |
| General view on the road | 4,2 | 3,5 | 3,5 | 3,3 | 4 |
| (Grading scale 1-5: 0=fail, 1=passable, 2=satisfactory, 3=good, 4=very good, 5=excellent) | |||||
| Driver evaluation Off-road | |||||
| Ford | Isuzu | Mitsubishi | Nissan | Toyota | |
| Engine | 3,7 | 3,7 | 3,7 | 3,7 | 3,7 |
| Gear | 3,4 | 3,7 | 3,7 | 3,7 | 3,7 |
| Brakes | 3,7 | 3,7 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Chassis | 3,7 | 4 | 3,4 | 3,4 | 3,7 |
| Steering | 4 | 4 | 3,4 | 3,4 | 3,4 |
| Grip of wheels | 3,7 | 4 | 3,4 | 3,4 | 3,7 |
| Torque | 3,7 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Creeping abilities | 3,7 | 4 | 3,7 | 3,7 | 3,7 |
| Visibility | 3 | 3,5 | 4 | 3 | 3,5 |
| Driver assist systems | 3,5 | 3,5 | 3 | 3 | 3,5 |
| Drive mode selection | 3 | 2,5 | 3 | 3 | 2,5 |
| General view off-road | 3,4 | 3,7 | 3,4 | 3 | 3 |
| (Grading scale 1-5: 0=fail, 1=passable, 2=satisfactory, 3=good, 4=very good, 5=excellent) | |||||
* Photography by Henri Pakarinen, who represents Finland on the International Pick-up Award and the International Van of the Year juries.
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