Source type: Suzuki Kenya
Suzuki Baleno vs Isuzu D-Max Single Cab
A proper head-to-head in Kenya — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
Suzuki Baleno
BALENO GL 5D 1462p AT SLDA 7
Petrol
Current
KES 3,150,000
ex-showroom
⚡ 77 kW
🔧 138 Nm
VS
Isuzu D-Max Single Cab
TFS 87 S/C 4X4 A/T
Diesel
6-Speed Automatic
Current
KES 4,600,000
ex-showroom
⚡ 110 kW
🔧 350 Nm
Decision summary
Suzuki Baleno vs Isuzu D-Max Single Cab: the short answer
Baleno and D-Max Single Cab are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Baleno starts KES 1,040,000 cheaper
Baleno from KES 2,850,000 · D-Max Single Cab from KES 3,890,000
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives| Specification | Baleno | D-Max Single Cab |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Power | Baleno77 kW @ 6000 rpm | D-Max Single Cab110 kW |
| Maximum Torque | Baleno138 Nm @ 4400 rpm | D-Max Single Cab350 Nm @ 1800-2600 rpm |
| Engine Size | Baleno1462 cc | D-Max Single Cab1898 cc |
| Combined Fuel Economy | BalenoNot Officially Disclosed | D-Max Single CabNot Officially Disclosed |
| Ground Clearance | Baleno150 mm | D-Max Single Cab235 mm |
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Source type: Isuzu East Africa official Kenya model specification
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Specification evidence leader
Baleno
Strengths
- Better fuel efficiency
- Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
- Less powerful engine setup
- Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:
Published Efficiency
D-Max Single Cab
Strengths
- More powerful engine output
- Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
- Lower fuel efficiency
- Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:
Published Performance
Published Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
Baleno
- Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
- Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
D-Max Single Cab
- Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
- Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
| Spec | Baleno | D-Max Single Cab |
|---|---|---|
| Model Introduced Year | Not Officially Disclosed | Not Officially Disclosed |
| Generation | Not Officially Disclosed | Current Kenya-market Isuzu East Africa derivative |
| Facelift History | Not Officially Disclosed | Not Officially Disclosed |
| Facelift Launched Since | Not Officially Disclosed | Not Officially Disclosed |
| Facelift Version Ending | Not Officially Disclosed | Not Officially Disclosed |
| Body Style | Compacts | Single Cab pickup |
| Model Year | Not Officially Disclosed | 2026 |
| Production Status | Active | active |
| Segment | Kenya-market Hatchback | Four-wheel-drive single-cab work pickup |
| Vehicle Type | Hatchback | Single Cab pickup |
| Spec | Baleno | D-Max Single Cab |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3990 mm | 5230 mm |
| Width | 1745 mm | 1870 mm |
| Height | 1500 mm | 1780 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2520 mm | 3125 mm |
| Ground Clearance (Default) | 150 mm | 235 mm |
| Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) | 135 mm | Not Officially Disclosed |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 37 l | 76 l |
| Boot/Cargo Space | 318 l | Not Applicable |
| Kerb Weight | 985 kg | 1825 kg |
| Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) | 1430 kg | 3000 kg |
| Payload Capacity | 445 kg | 1215 kg |
| Towing Capacity | 1000 kg | 2100 kg |
| Seating Capacity | 5 seats | 2 seats |
| Number of Rows | 2 rows | 1 rows |
| Doors | 5 doors | 2 doors |
| Minimum Turning Radius | 4.9 m | 12.5 m |
| Front Headroom | Not Officially Disclosed | Not Officially Disclosed |
| Rear Headroom | Not Officially Disclosed | Not Officially Disclosed |
| Front Legroom | Not Officially Disclosed | Not Officially Disclosed |
| Rear Legroom | Not Officially Disclosed | Not Applicable |
In depth: how these cars differ
This Baleno and D-Max Single Cab comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for Kenya. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: Baleno 35 vs D-Max Single Cab 62.
Efficiency index: Baleno 59 vs D-Max Single Cab 40.
Safety-equipment index: Baleno 84 vs D-Max Single Cab 50.
Practicality index: Baleno 51 vs D-Max Single Cab 65.
Ownership-cover index: Baleno not separately scored vs D-Max Single Cab not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
Baleno and D-Max Single Cab image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
Suzuki Baleno
View 8 more Baleno images
Isuzu D-Max Single Cab
View 8 more D-Max Single Cab images
Specification Evidence Index
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence-index readout
Baleno leads by 2 points
Baleno and D-Max Single Cab are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Evidence leader
57
/100
Lead
2
points
Data
69%
source coverage
57
#1
Evidence leader
Baleno
Performance
35
Efficiency
59
Safety
84
Practicality
51
Leads by 2 points
55
#2
D-Max Single Cab
Performance
62
Efficiency
40
Safety
50
Practicality
65
Performance 24%
Safety 22%
Practicality 22%
Efficiency 17%
Ownership 15%
Category leaders
What moves the verdict
Performance
D-Max Single Cab +27
Efficiency
Baleno +19
Safety
Baleno +34
Practicality
D-Max Single Cab +14
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
Baleno
Performance
35/100
Efficiency
59/100
Safety
84/100
Practicality
51/100
D-Max Single Cab
Performance
62/100
Efficiency
40/100
Safety
50/100
Practicality
65/100
What the evidence means
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Baleno leads. However, D-Max Single Cab may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in Kenya.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related Kenya models and comparable body styles.
Baleno vs D-Max Single Cab questions
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in Kenya on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.