A few compromises, but the price ...

It has alloy wheels and leather seats ... but not a three-star crash-test rating. Photo / Supplied

It's all very well wanting a Toyota Hilux or Mitsubishi Triton, but not everyone can afford one. The 4x4 Hilux double-cab starts at $54,290. The Triton opens at 10 grand less - which is still quite pricey, especially for your average small business owner, who may want a new car warranty and the tax and depreciation benefits of a new car, but still has to pay for the thing.

Sure, Triton and Hilux can double as a family car, with plenty of cabin comfort and a four-star crash test rating. But if you just want a workhorse, you'll make compromises in exchange for cash.

That's Great Wall's argument anyway. Its V240 4x4 double cab wellside ute retails at $29,990. Yes, it's got a petrol not a diesel motor; but you'll take a long time to put the additional 14 grand into the tank. And yes, it's "only" a manual - but look at the price.

You'll say "look at the price" a fair bit with this car, but not in the areas that really matter. After all, the X240 isn't the stereotypical Chinese bodge job built from spit and sweet wrappers. From the A-pillar back it's an RA-shape Isuzu Rodeo, while the 100kW/200Nm engine is the product of a long-standing joint venture with Mitsubishi.

Yes, it's the same engine as the SUV, and it's not that powerful, but it does a reasonable job of punting the ute along - and it's reasonably refined with it. The handling's not bad too, though the ride is very much a product of the rear's rigid axle and leaf spring set-up - I'd expect much better comfort with a load on; unfortunately my weekend plans blew up and the ute remained empty.

The brakes worked well enough though. ABS is standard and the rear drum will still be seen as an advantage in really filthy going.

And you can get dirty in this ute. There's a Borg-Warner low range transmission - with four-high and low accessed via dash-mounted buttons. I didn't get far off-road, but can confirm the set-up works well in ordinary going. Mind you there's one thing that didn't - the turning circle proved ludicrously wide in city terms. But look what you're getting for the price; what's a three-point turn or two.

What else? The sub-30-grand ticket includes alloy wheels and leather seats - no, not Jaguar quality, what did you expect? It also includes air con, electric windows and mirrors, variable speed wipers; just about everything you'd expect from your double-cab ute. Everything except the three-star crash test rating that's now almost a standard for the class. Manufacturer reps watched the test and promised upgrades soon.

Meanwhile, only you can tell whether you're willing to take that risk in return for Great Wall's value equation.

Great Wall X240

We like
A double cab 4x4 ute with low range, air con and alloys at less than 30 grand

We don't like
Jolting ride when empty, wide turning circle, two-star crash test rating, hard plastics for cabin

Powertrain
2.4-litre, four cylinder, 100kW at 5250rpm, 200Nm at 2500-3000rpm, five speed drives two or four wheels, low range transmission

Performance
0-100km/h relaxed, 10.7l/100km (claimed) Safety ABS, front airbags

What it's got
CD/radio, air con, cup holder

Vital stats
5040mm long, 1000kg payload, 70-litre tank