The Riddara RD6 is a fully electric bakkie that has its sights set on becoming a major player in the highly contested bakkie market. To tempt bakkie buyers away from their usual chariots of choice, the Riddara has a fair amount of work to do. Enviro Automotive in Pretoria allowed us some time in one to explore its allure.
What even is it?
Riddara is a brand that has been largely unheard of here in South Africa, mostly because it’s entirely new to the market. This is not uncommon within the pantheon of Chinese automotion, with new brands coming to market with fair regularity.
However, it is not an entirely unknown quantity as its parent company is Geely, a giant of Chinese motoring. This also makes Riddara a sibling brand to Volvo and Lotus. This lends credibility to the vehicle before we’ve even pressed the start button.
Family ties
The connection to Volvo is actually significant, as the RD6 shares its underpinnings (albeit with different dimensions) with the Volvo EX30. In the range-topping RD6 Horizon Pro, it goes as far as sharing the same motors used in the impressive little Volvo. It also means a chassis designed with independent multi-link rear suspension, which is a step up from the leaf-spring bakkies of the recent past, which in most cases is the set-up still used today.
Where the Riddara diverges from Volvo and Geely is in the looks department. The styling is understated, and compared to other offerings on the market can even be described as somewhat staid. In a market where style is one of the markers of substance, the streamlined Riddara doesn’t have the immediate “wow” factor of some competitors. Yet avoiding being flashy may also work in its favour.
You may have noticed the motorcycle on the back of this Riddara. It’s a good display of the RD6’s practicality as a bakkie, but that’s all about the bike for now. We did test it and will share our thoughts in a follow-up article.
Beneath the skin
As mentioned, the underpinnings are shared with the lauded Volvo EX30, but it must be remembered that the RD6 is a bakkie. As such there are certain expectations, which the Riddara meets easily. The payload is rated at 1 030 kg, while the towing capacity maxes out at 3 000 kg (in the 4WD variants).
The range available in South Africa comprises one 2WD and two 4WD models. For this test we were handed the keys to the RD6 Econ 4WD (a.k.a. the Fleet spec), which sits in the middle of the RD6 range. The output is rated at 280 kW of power and 485 Nm of torque, with a 73 kWh battery (which supports up to 100 kW DC charging), giving a possible range of 424 km.
The drive
We didn’t get to test out the 424 km range claim, but we were impressed by its performance. The spec sheet claims a 0-100 km/h of 5.7 seconds, but it felt faster than that. It could be a conservative claim, or the unexpected aggression in such an ordinary-looking bakkie – whichever, the RD6 felt rapid.
A little drag race
In fact, a fortuitous set of events may have occurred: an unplanned robot-to-robot drag race between the RD6 and a BYD Shark 6. Assuming this happened, the outcome was the Riddara leaving the Shark in its dust, and us being almost as surprised as the occupants of the BYD. The RD6 is a genuinely fast vehicle, and the one we tested was not even the 315 kW/595 Nm range-topping Horizon Pro.
Driving modes
The Riddara has several driving modes: Eco, Sport, Comfort, Mud, Sand, and Off-road, all controlled through a dedicated dial on the centre console. The modes obviously adjust all sorts of parameters, like steering weight, throttle response, and the amount of power available.
You feel this most obviously between the Sport and Eco modes. In Sport (its best mode) the steering has better weighting and the throttle is sharp without being jerky. Change to Eco mode and you immediately feel the difference as it switches to using only the rear motor to save electricity.
Performance
Straight line acceleration is a forte of electric vehicles, so maybe we shouldn’t have been as surprised as we were by its pace. The really impressive aspect of the Riddara’s dynamic package is its road manners, and it took a while of driving for this to shine through.
Handling
Initially I took it easy going into corners, but at one point I found myself pushing it harder than intended into a set of bends. The Riddara seemed to enjoy it as much as I did. Coupled with the regenerative braking on its highest setting, it was a satisfying game of balance on the throttle, allowing the car to slow down enough while having the power at the ready to stop the nose from diving under hard braking.
I got the sense that the Riddara developers really enjoy driving, as they got this bakkie to appeal to my inner child’s idea of fun in a driving experience.
Refined but fun to drive
The Riddara has a distinctly SUV-like feel on the road, which made me think that its “bakkie-ness” may fall apart on the dirt. While we didn’t do an off-road course, or measure approach and camber angles, we did use roads that most bakkies will see.
A dirt road near Hennops in Hartebeespoort gave the Riddara a gravelly excursion which it handled with no surprises and a more refined ride than I was expecting. With all that torque available, it’s also possible to get the Riddara to misbehave on dirt (which is obviously what’s important).
The inside bits
The interior is a well-designed and comfortable space, and while the infotainment system is a central screen it doesn’t dominate. That’s a welcome change from the screen-centric nature of most modern vehicles. It’s an uncomplicated system, easy to navigate system.
The driver’s dashboard is also a TFT display and gives you all the vitals. The text for some features may be a tad on the small side, but otherwise the dash is uncluttered and easy to read at a glance.
Cabin quality
The materials are generally of high quality, especially at the touch points, and tasteful smatterings of aluminium detailing and stitched leather give it a fairly upmarket feel. Some surfaces have harder plastics, but it is a bakkie after all, and these materials seem more utilitarian than cheap.
The front seats offer good support and comfort (no numb bum experienced over the course of the test). The seat covers that Enviro Auto had made for the Riddara in South Africa may have added to this. Our passengers found the rear seats a bit tight and bench-like, but once again it is a bakkie.
Where’s the cruise control?
A few criticisms: The climate control settings are all on the screen so a pain to use while on the move. This being the lower-spec model, there are obvious omissions – such as the lack of radar-guided driving assistance, which is reserved for the Horizon Pro. However, the lack of even basic cruise control is something that I find somewhat annoying. And the indicators could have had a louder or more distinct ticking noise, but I might be nit-picking now.
At the end of the day
The Riddara RD6 4WD Fleet Spec is an altogether unassuming package that manages to be charming in a way that isn’t usually associated with EVs. It’s comfortable and refined, with ride quality and road holding comparable to the best in class – EV or otherwise. The performance is impressive and sets it apart from everything else currently on the bakkie market in South Africa.
More importantly, it does fulfil the promise of being a good bakkie, with no drawbacks as a result of being propelled by electricity. When you get past the novelty, you notice that it has a greater payload capacity than a Ford Ranger Raptor. It can also tow as much as most double cabs while being kinder to your pocket when it comes to refuelling – and kinder to the planet as well.
First-time EV buyers will also have their minds put at ease with the inclusion of an 8-year/200 000 km warranty on the battery.
Second opinion by Renaldo Pio: Co-driver and all-round good fella
This is a modern-day “sleeper” – quiet to the eye and ear, with all the superpowers of the twin turbos and superchargers. A new-age sensory experience that lends itself to performance, comfort and stress-free driving. The more you drive it, the more sense it makes.
Its handling likens it more to a sporty SUV, and 360 visibility is good. However, no lights on the switch-gear can make you feel around a little at night. For the length of time we spent in the seats there was no discomfort, though the back seats can feel a little tight on leg room. The turning circle was impressive, and even if you tried the car doesn’t lose its grip in a hurry.
Specifications
Model: Geely Riddara RD6 Econ 4WD
Price: R681 900
Motor: Dual motor, 280 kW, 485 Nm, all-wheel drive
Performance: 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds, 160 km/h top speed
Range: ~424 km (WLTP)
Battery: 73 kWh, lithium-iron phosphate (LFP)
Charging: 6.6 kW AC, 110 kW DC (20-80% in approx. 27 min)
Consumption: 17.5 kWh/100 km (WLTP)
Payload: 1 030 kg
Safety: Euro NCAP: to be tested
Warranty: 3 yr/60 000 km vehicle; 8 yr/200 000 km battery
Service plan: 3 yr/60 000 km (20 000 km intervals)
Published 22 August 2026. ©Uzair Abdul-karrim | Pictures by the author and supplied