Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 vs Isuzu D-Max X-Rider

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance, petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.

Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 in South Africa

Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35

Arctic Trucks AT35 A/T Diesel 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 1,211,910 ex-showroom
⚡ 140 kW 🔧 450 Nm ⛽ 11.8 km/l
VS
Isuzu D-Max X-Rider in South Africa

Isuzu D-Max X-Rider

1.9 DDi Double Cab X-Rider 4x2 AT Diesel 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 690,810 ex-showroom
⚡ 110 kW 🔧 350 Nm ⛽ 13.5 km/l
Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

Performance D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35
Fuel Economy D-Max X-Rider
🛡 Safety D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35
📦 Practicality D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35
🔑 Ownership Not enough comparable data
D-Max X-Rider starts ZAR 542,920 cheaper D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 from ZAR 1,211,910 · D-Max X-Rider from ZAR 668,990

Key Specs Side by Side

The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.

Spec D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 D-Max X-Rider
Maximum Power 140 kW @ 3600 rpm 110 kW @ 3600 rpm
Maximum Torque 450 Nm 350 Nm
Engine Size 2999 cc 1900 cc
Combined Fuel Economy 11.8 km/l 13.5 km/l
Ground Clearance 266 mm 227 mm
Boot / Load Bay - -
Airbags Front, front side, curtain, driver knee and far-side airbags 2
Kerb Weight - 1845 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Warranty 5 years / 120,000 km with roadside assistance 5 years / 120 000 km

= leads in this spec

The Bottom Line

D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over D-Max X-Rider.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 +20 pts
Efficiency D-Max X-Rider +6 pts
Safety D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 +54 pts
Practicality D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 +4 pts

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Catalogue-index leader

D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35

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

D-Max X-Rider

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 Arctic Trucks AT35

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

D-Max X-Rider

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 D-Max X-Rider
Model Introduced Year 2023 Current local generation year not confirmed
Generation Seventh-generation D-Max; MY26 facelift; AT35 conversion Current South African D-Max X-Rider listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data.
Facelift History MY26 mid-cycle facelift announced 3 June 2026 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 June 2026 Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Double-cab pickup Double Cab pickup
Gross Combined Mass Kg 5780 kg 5000 kg
Model Year MY26 MY26
Production Status On sale published
Segment Extreme-terrain lifestyle pickup Pickup
Tare Mass Kg 2160 kg 1845 kg
Vehicle Type Light commercial vehicle Pickup
Model Code M260RY7 -
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 - Top grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note - Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 1.9 DDi Double Cab X-Rider 4x2 AT
Spec D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 D-Max X-Rider
Length 5333 mm 5265 mm
Width 2040 mm 1870 mm
Height 1875 mm 1805 mm
Wheelbase 3125 mm 3125 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 266 mm 227 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 76 l 76 l
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2880 kg 3000 kg
Payload Capacity 660 kg 1095 kg
Towing Capacity 3500 kg 2100 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 4 doors 4 doors
Kerb Weight - 1845 kg
Minimum Turning Radius - 12.5 m

Source-backed Catalogue Index

A transparent specification index shown only when every vehicle clears the minimum comparable-data threshold.

Weighted / 100
Catalogue-index readout

D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 leads by 20 points

D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over D-Max X-Rider.

Index leader 76 /100
Lead 20 points
Data 64% source coverage
76
#1 Index leader

D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35

64% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Safety 94 Check Efficiency 47
Performance 75
Efficiency 47
Safety 94
Practicality 81
Leads by 20 points
56
#2

D-Max X-Rider

62% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Practicality 77 Check Safety 40
Performance 55
Efficiency 53
Safety 40
Practicality 77
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 +20 Efficiency D-Max X-Rider +6 Safety D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 +54 Practicality D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 +4

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Catalogue-index leader

D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35

Performance 75/100
Efficiency 47/100
Safety 94/100
Practicality 81/100

D-Max X-Rider

Performance 55/100
Efficiency 53/100
Safety 40/100
Practicality 77/100

How to Read This Comparison

🏆 Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 leads the catalogue index with 76 pts vs 56 pts for D-Max X-Rider

In Hagalu's source-backed catalogue index, D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 leads. However, D-Max X-Rider may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Buyers Also Looked At These

Other comparisons that people in the same boat tend to check out.

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives 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.

Hagalu does not publish a guaranteed resale winner. Depreciation depends on age, mileage, condition, derivative, colour, supply and demand. Compare several current used-market listings and obtain trade-in valuations for equivalent examples before relying on a resale estimate.

Check the exact derivatives for drive type, ground clearance, tyres, approach and departure angles, wading depth and low-range gearing where officially disclosed. SUV styling or all-wheel drive alone does not prove that a vehicle is suitable for demanding off-road use.

Calculate each exact derivative using your monthly distance and a current fuel or electricity price, then add finance, insurance, scheduled service, tyres and licence costs. Hagalu does not claim a fixed monthly saving without those buyer-specific inputs.

It is worth more only when the exact price difference buys equipment, space, performance or ownership cover that matters to you. Compare like-for-like lifecycle states and derivatives; a current offer and a historical last-listed price are not directly equivalent.

In Depth — Breaking It All Down

This D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 and D-Max X-Rider comparison uses the exact South African derivatives selected above. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 75 vs D-Max X-Rider 55.

Efficiency index: D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 47 vs D-Max X-Rider 53.

Safety-equipment index: D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 94 vs D-Max X-Rider 40.

Practicality index: D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 81 vs D-Max X-Rider 77.

Ownership-cover index: D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 not separately scored vs D-Max X-Rider 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.