Changan Hunter K50 REEV Review: A true South African Bakkie?
- Dylan Naidoo
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
By: Dylan Naidoo
The workforce bakkie is a staple of South African culture. From their bold road presence to their extreme capability, it should come as no surprise as to why we see so many of them on the road. And please, we all know that one guy in our friend group that drives a Hilux or Ranger. In June 2026 alone, Top Auto reported the bestselling car in South Africa was not even a car, it was the tough and rugged Toyota Hilux. Seeing this, I believe Changan saw these statistics and went all in on integrating a bakkie that appeals to the popular demands of South Africans: An AWD range-extender electric bakkie with a futuristic design paired with proper luxury. Our review unit for today is the Changan Hunter K50 REEV, the world’s first range-extender electric bakkie.
What is a REEV?
A REEV stands for “Range-Extended Electric Vehicles” and is a range of vehicles in South Africa that feature hybrid set-ups of both a combustion engine and electric motors, like a hybrid. Unlike a traditional hybrid however, a REEV utilises its combustion engine as a generator for the electric motors instead of acting like another main source of power. This double combo set-up results in these REEVs to shine with incredibly long ranges. This is reflected in the estimated 1000km range of the Changan Hunter K50 REEV, according to Changan.
Technology
The Hunter boasts a powerful 200kW electric motor paired with a 2l turbocharged petrol engine used as an electric generator. Onboard, the electric motors and combustion engine charge a 31kWh battery, according to Cars.co.za. All of these aspects combined are estimated to give the Hunter an impressive 1000+ km of range, according to Changan. It also allows the Changan to utilise 470Nm of torque, effective for heavy loads. The Hunter truly shines with its power. It’s an instant charge of power that really does grip you. I got to test this car out with our CEO, Grant Adlam, and both of us looked at each other with the same final approval, this bakkie is quick.
As with any luxury Chinese REEV, the bakkie is loaded with so much tech, it could probably write its own college application. At the heart of the Hunter K50 you will find the rather large infotainment screen, supporting CarPlay and Android Auto, that also controls most of the features in this bakkie. I noticed many people tend to be divided on these massive touchscreens, pointing out factors like the prioritisation of aesthetics over usability, but considering the large adoption of Chinese vehicles with this tech, I’m only guessing this ultimately comes down to the buyer’s preference.
The Hunter K50 also features 3 driving modes: Eco, normal and sport. We noticed that Eco was quite sufficient for an eco-mode, whilst the sport mode really added some flair to the vehicle. All your high-tech assists are onboard with Hunter, including brake assist and cruise controls. Now it is one thing to get all nerdy with the specs of this bakkie, but as a bakkie driver, we all know where the real priorities lie.
Space & Utility
The truck bed of the Changan is rated to hold an estimated 1010 Kg of weight, which for a newer car brand in South Africa, is very impressive considering the tech that runs within this vehicle. The bed itself is 1590mmx 1580mm x 490mm in dimensions, offering a sizable amount of space for keeping things inside. The bakkie has an estimated ground clearance of 220mm without a load, and 195mm containing the max load. In person, we found the bakkie to sit considerably high, giving us an overseeing view of the road. Truly, the bakkie is capable and really pulls for its weight.
According to Cars.co.za, the Changan Hunter K50 features an AWD system, with the truck quite capable of pushing above its weight. Featuring a “ladder-frame-set-up”, this set up is reserved for durability and articulation.
Pricing and Overall Thoughts
According to Top Gear South Africa, pricing of the Hunter K50 REEV starts at R799 999, placing it near its double-cab rivals from Ford, Isuzu and Toyota. Going up against the bakkie giants like this is a bold move, considering companies like Mercedes with their X-Class and Mazda with their BT-50 failed to beat the big 3. However, Changan has a lot going for it. With its sleek futuristic design and innovative power unit, I think that the Changan Hunter K50 REEV may be an attractive prospect for the right driver.
Visit Changan's website for more vehicles here: https://www.changanmotors.co.za/
