BAIC B30 vs Isuzu D-Max Double Cab

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

BAIC B30 in South Africa

BAIC B30

B30 Elite Adventure Petrol 7-Speed DCT Current
ZAR 519,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 138 kW 🔧 305 Nm ⛽ 12.41 km/l
VS
Isuzu D-Max Double Cab in South Africa

Isuzu D-Max Double Cab

3.0 DDi Double Cab 4x4 LSE AT Diesel 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 900,310 ex-showroom
⚡ 110 kW 🔧 350 Nm ⛽ 12.3 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

BAIC B30 vs Isuzu D-Max Double Cab: the short answer

B30 and D-Max Double Cab are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

B30 starts ZAR 54,110 cheaper B30 from ZAR 519,900 · D-Max Double Cab from ZAR 574,010

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification B30 D-Max Double Cab
Maximum Power B30138 kW D-Max Double Cab110 kW @ 3600 rpm
Maximum Torque B30305 Nm D-Max Double Cab350 Nm
Engine Size B301498 cc D-Max Double Cab3000 cc
Combined Fuel Economy B3012.41 km/l D-Max Double Cab12.3 km/l
Ground Clearance B30215 mm D-Max Double Cab232 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

Independent editorial assessment

Hagalu editorial ratings

When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.

BAIC B30

B30 Elite Adventure

Hagalu editorial rating
4.1/5

Desk research · Exact variant

Hagalu Editorial Team ·

Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.

Read the review and score breakdown

Isuzu D-Max Double Cab

3.0 DDi Double Cab 4x4 LSE AT

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

B30

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 Double 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?

B30

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

D-Max Double Cab

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec B30 D-Max Double Cab
Model Introduced Year 2025 Current local generation year not confirmed
Generation Current first-generation BAIC B30 for South Africa, introduced locally for the 2025 model year with petrol and self-charging HEV derivatives. Current South African D-Max Double Cab listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data.
Facelift History The B30 was unveiled locally in August 2025 and launched in November 2025 as the first South African version; no later local facelift has been announced. Model-year updates can affect trim, wheels, screens, safety equipment and colours. Use the latest South African price list when checking a specific vehicle.
Facelift Launched Since 2025 Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Five-door mid-size SUV Double Cab pickup
Model Year 2025 MY26
Production Status active active
Segment Mid-size SUV Pickup
Vehicle Type SUV Pickup
Body Type Cab - Single/extended/double cab as per derivative name
Color Note - Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering.
Dealer Stock Note - Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note - Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 3.0 DDi Double Cab 4x4 LSE AT
Gross Combined Mass Kg - 6000 kg
Tare Mass Kg - 2070 kg
Spec B30 D-Max Double Cab
Length 4730 mm 5333 mm
Width 1910 mm 1880 mm
Height 1790 mm 1805 mm
Wheelbase 2820 mm 3125 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 215 mm 232 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) Not Officially Disclosed 220 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 60 l 76 l
Boot/Cargo Space Not Officially Disclosed 1000 l
Kerb Weight 1575 kg 2070 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2034 kg 3100 kg
Payload Capacity 459 kg 970 kg
Towing Capacity 1500 kg 3500 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors 5 doors 4 doors
Minimum Turning Radius Not Officially Disclosed 12.5 m
Front Headroom Not Officially Disclosed 1005 mm
Rear Headroom Not Officially Disclosed 975 mm
Front Legroom Not Officially Disclosed 1060 mm
Rear Legroom Not Officially Disclosed 900 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This B30 and D-Max Double Cab comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: B30 59 vs D-Max Double Cab 64.

Efficiency index: B30 51 vs D-Max Double Cab 49.

Safety-equipment index: B30 92 vs D-Max Double Cab 44.

Practicality index: B30 61 vs D-Max Double Cab 91.

Ownership-cover index: B30 not separately scored vs D-Max Double 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.

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 / 100
Evidence-index readout

B30 leads by 3 points

B30 and D-Max Double Cab are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 66 /100
Lead 3 points
Data 70% source coverage
66
#1 Evidence leader

B30

70% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 92 Check Efficiency 51
Performance 59
Efficiency 51
Safety 92
Practicality 61
Leads by 3 points
63
#2

D-Max Double Cab

75% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Practicality 91 Check Safety 44
Performance 64
Efficiency 49
Safety 44
Practicality 91
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance D-Max Double Cab +5 Efficiency B30 +2 Safety B30 +48 Practicality D-Max Double Cab +30

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

B30

Performance 59/100
Efficiency 51/100
Safety 92/100
Practicality 61/100

D-Max Double Cab

Performance 64/100
Efficiency 49/100
Safety 44/100
Practicality 91/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index BAIC B30 leads the specification evidence index with 66 pts vs 63 pts for D-Max Double Cab

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, B30 leads. However, D-Max Double Cab may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Related comparisons

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B30 vs D-Max Double Cab questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa 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.