Great Wall Steed 4x2 petrol 2017 review

The 4x2 Steed, like its 4x4 stablemate, is available only as a dual-cab ute, but it does offer a choice of 2.0-litre, four-cylinder diesel (the only engine offered in the 4x4), or with a 2.4-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine. Our test vehicle was equipped with the petrol engine, which is only available with a five-speed manual (the diesel version comes with a six-speed manual).

At $25,990, the rear-wheel-drive Steed offers a considerable saving over the cheapest petrol model in Toyota’s HiLux range; the Workmate dual-cab ute with a 2.7-litre petrol engine and five-speed manual ($30,690). However, the savings are much less when measured against Nissan’s Navara equivalent, which, in entry-level DX form and with a 2.5-litre petrol engine and six-speed manual, costs $26,490.

The Steed isn't offered as a single-cab.

What the Steed’s Japanese rivals lack in standard features is balanced somewhat by their need for regular unleaded (the Steed needs premium), and the fact they both have superior power and torque figures, which are important considerations for these work-focused vehicles.

The Steed’s standard equipment list is one of its strong points, as all variants - no matter which engine or drivetrain you choose - come loaded with the same serving of eye candy and creature comforts that can only be dreamt of in Japanese rivals at this price.

Chrome body highlights include grille, roof racks, door handles and side body protection mouldings. Plus there’s a classy-looking stainless steel sports bar and door scuff plates, plus full-length side steps, a cargo bed liner and 16-inch alloy wheels with 235/70R16 tyres and a full-size spare. 

Standard inclusions are generous, but a reversing camera would be nice.

The cabin’s fully carpeted and leather-appointed trim includes cowhide on the steering wheel and gear-knob. The driver gets a six-way adjustable powered driver’s seat, and both front seats are heated. There’s also electric-folding door mirrors with demisters and indicators, a six-speaker sound system with touchscreen controls and Bluetooth, and an excellent tyre-pressure monitoring system to name a few. 

Options include a tow bar, tonneau cover and sat-nav with reversing camera. We might sound greedy, but the rear-view camera should be standard, too.

The 4G69S4N is a Mitsubishi-sourced engine featuring a cast iron cylinder block, aluminium SOHC multi-valve cylinder head, multi-point fuel injection and MIVEC variable valve timing technology. In this work-focused specification it produces 100kW at 5250rpm and 205Nm at 2500rpm - which are not big numbers for a one-tonne-plus payload.

The Steed sports a Mitsubishi-sourced engine (100kW/205Nm)

The five-speed manual has a slightly shorter top gear ratio than the diesel’s six-speed manual (petrol 0.857 vs diesel 0.838) and slightly shorter final drive ratio (petrol 4.55 vs diesel 4.10), which is biased towards heavy-load hauling. However, it also means higher engine rpm at highway speeds. Needless to say, an automatic option would greatly increase the Steed’s showroom appeal.

The 4x2 Steed has a relatively light kerb weight of 1722kg, which is a substantial 178kg less than its 4x4 diesel stablemate (1900kg). This is also reflected in the 4x2’s GVM of 2732kg, which although being 188kg less than the 4x4, still allows a genuine one-tonne-plus payload of 1010kg. This is only 10kg less than the 4x4’s limit. 

Its 4732kg GCM means it can carry maximum payload while towing up to 2000kg of braked trailer, which is a more practical ‘real world’ compromise than some one-tonners with higher peak tow ratings.

Like most utes, the Steed 4x2 does not have enough width between its rear wheel arches to carry a standard Aussie pallet, but its fully-lined cargo bed offers more than one cubic metre of load volume with four well-placed D-shackles for securing loads.

Cabin storage options for front seat occupants include a bottle holder and two storage pockets in each door. Plus there's a single glovebox and centre console featuring a padded lid box at the rear which doubles as an arm rest, two central cup holders and a storage cubby up front. There’s also a curious sunglasses holder to the right of the driver’s head that's too small to close with a pair of sunnies inside.

There are no bottle holders or storage pockets for rear seat passengers.

There are no bottle holders, cup holders or door storage pockets for rear seat passengers, who only get slim storage pockets on the rear of each front seat.

There is a three-year/100,000km warranty with three-year roadside assistance on offer. Service intervals and recommended (not capped price) servicing costs start at one month/1,000km ($138) then six months/10,000km ($166), 12 months/20,000km ($283), 18 months/30,000km ($166), 24 months/40,000km ($751), 30 months/50,000km ($166) and 36 months/60,000km ($283).