Source type: Isuzu East Africa official Kenya model specification
Isuzu D-Max Single Cab vs Toyota Starlet
A proper head-to-head in Kenya — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
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
VS
Toyota Starlet
1.5 Petrol MT STYLE
Petrol
5-Speed Manual
Current
KES 3,150,000
ex-showroom
⚡ 77 kW
🔧 138 Nm
Decision summary
Isuzu D-Max Single Cab vs Toyota Starlet: the short answer
D-Max Single Cab has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Starlet remains close.
Starlet starts KES 920,000 cheaper
D-Max Single Cab from KES 3,890,000 · Starlet from KES 2,970,000
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives| Specification | D-Max Single Cab | Starlet |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Power | D-Max Single Cab110 kW | Starlet77 kW @ 6000 rpm |
| Maximum Torque | D-Max Single Cab350 Nm @ 1800-2600 rpm | Starlet138 Nm @ 4400 rpm |
| Engine Size | D-Max Single Cab1898 cc | Starlet1462 cc |
| Combined Fuel Economy | D-Max Single CabNot Officially Disclosed | StarletNot Officially Disclosed |
| Ground Clearance | D-Max Single Cab235 mm | Starlet150 mm |
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Source type: Toyota Kenya official specification page
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Specification evidence leader
D-Max Single Cab
Strengths
- More powerful engine output
- Stronger listed safety equipment
- Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
- Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to:
Published Performance
Published Practicality
Starlet
Strengths
- Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
- Less powerful engine setup
- Fewer listed safety features
- Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:
Published Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
D-Max Single Cab
- Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
- Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
- Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Starlet
- Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Full Specs, Side by Side
| Spec | D-Max Single Cab | Starlet |
|---|---|---|
| Model Introduced Year | Not Officially Disclosed | Not Officially Disclosed |
| Generation | Current Kenya-market Isuzu East Africa derivative | Not Officially Disclosed |
| 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 | Single Cab pickup | Hatchback |
| Model Year | 2026 | 2026 |
| Production Status | active | active |
| Segment | Four-wheel-drive single-cab work pickup | Compact hatchback |
| Vehicle Type | Single Cab pickup | Hatchback |
| Spec | D-Max Single Cab | Starlet |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 5230 mm | 3990 mm |
| Width | 1870 mm | 1745 mm |
| Height | 1780 mm | 1500 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3125 mm | 2520 mm |
| Ground Clearance (Default) | 235 mm | 150 mm |
| Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) | Not Officially Disclosed | 135 mm |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 76 l | 37 l |
| Boot/Cargo Space | Not Applicable | 314 l |
| Kerb Weight | 1825 kg | 980 kg |
| Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) | 3000 kg | 1430 kg |
| Payload Capacity | 1215 kg | 450 kg |
| Towing Capacity | 2100 kg | 1000 kg |
| Seating Capacity | 2 seats | 5 seats |
| Number of Rows | 1 rows | 2 rows |
| Doors | 2 doors | 5 doors |
| Minimum Turning Radius | 12.5 m | 5.1 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 Applicable | Not Officially Disclosed |
In depth: how these cars differ
This D-Max Single Cab and Starlet 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: D-Max Single Cab 62 vs Starlet 35.
Efficiency index: D-Max Single Cab 40 vs Starlet 60.
Safety-equipment index: D-Max Single Cab 50 vs Starlet 47.
Practicality index: D-Max Single Cab 65 vs Starlet 51.
Ownership-cover index: D-Max Single Cab not separately scored vs Starlet 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
D-Max Single Cab and Starlet image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
Isuzu D-Max Single Cab
View 8 more D-Max Single Cab images
Toyota Starlet
View 8 more Starlet 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
D-Max Single Cab leads by 8 points
D-Max Single Cab has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Starlet remains close.
Evidence leader
55
/100
Lead
8
points
Data
65%
source coverage
55
#1
Evidence leader
D-Max Single Cab
Performance
62
Efficiency
40
Safety
50
Practicality
65
Leads by 8 points
47
#2
Starlet
Performance
35
Efficiency
60
Safety
47
Practicality
51
Performance 24%
Safety 22%
Practicality 22%
Efficiency 17%
Ownership 15%
Category leaders
What moves the verdict
Performance
D-Max Single Cab +27
Efficiency
Starlet +20
Safety
D-Max Single Cab +3
Practicality
D-Max Single Cab +14
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
D-Max Single Cab
Performance
62/100
Efficiency
40/100
Safety
50/100
Practicality
65/100
Starlet
Performance
35/100
Efficiency
60/100
Safety
47/100
Practicality
51/100
What the evidence means
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, D-Max Single Cab leads. However, Starlet 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.
D-Max Single Cab vs Starlet 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.