Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 vs BMW iX

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.

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
BMW iX in South Africa

BMW iX

xDrive45 Sport Electric Single-Speed Reduction Gear Current
ZAR 2,249,000 ex-showroom
⚡ 300 kW 🔧 700 Nm
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 vs BMW iX: the short answer

iX has a modest catalogue-index lead, while D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 remains close.

D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 starts ZAR 1,037,090 cheaper D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 from ZAR 1,211,910 · iX from ZAR 2,249,000

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 iX
Maximum Power D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35140 kW @ 3600 rpm iX300 kW
Maximum Torque D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35450 Nm iX700 Nm
Engine Size D-Max Arctic Trucks AT352999 cc iXNot Applicable
Combined Fuel Economy D-Max Arctic Trucks AT3511.8 km/l iXNot Applicable
Ground Clearance D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35266 mm iX190 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.

Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35

Arctic Trucks AT35 A/T

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

BMW iX

xDrive45 Sport

Hagalu editorial rating
4.0/5

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

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)

D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35

Strengths
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to: Published Practicality
Specification evidence leader

iX

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Efficiency

Which One's Right for You?

D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35

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

iX

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 iX
Model Introduced Year 2023 2021
Generation Seventh-generation D-Max; MY26 facelift; AT35 conversion Large five-door battery-electric SUV with dual-motor all-wheel drive.
Facelift History MY26 mid-cycle facelift announced 3 June 2026 Current BMW iX range in updated xDrive45 and xDrive60 South African Sport specification.
Facelift Launched Since June 2026 Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Double-cab pickup SUV
Gross Combined Mass Kg 5780 kg -
Model Year MY26 2026
Production Status active active
Segment Extreme-terrain lifestyle pickup Premium SUV
Tare Mass Kg 2160 kg -
Vehicle Type Light commercial vehicle Car
Model Code M260RY7 -
Spec D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 iX
Length 5333 mm 4965 mm
Width 2040 mm 1970 mm
Height 1875 mm 1695 mm
Wheelbase 3125 mm 3000 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 266 mm 190 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 220 mm 170 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 76 l 0 l
Boot/Cargo Space 1000 l 500 l
Kerb Weight 2200 kg 2525 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2880 kg 3100 kg
Payload Capacity 660 kg 650 kg
Towing Capacity 3500 kg 2500 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 1 rows 2 rows
Doors 4 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 6.25 m 5.8 m
Front Headroom 1005 mm 1009 mm
Rear Headroom 900 mm 991 mm
Front Legroom 1060 mm 1045 mm
Rear Legroom 700 mm 920 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 and iX 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: D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 75 vs iX 100.

Efficiency index: D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 47 vs iX 90.

Safety-equipment index: D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 94 vs iX 92.

Practicality index: D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 88 vs iX 72.

Ownership-cover index: D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 not separately scored vs iX 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

iX leads by 11 points

iX has a modest catalogue-index lead, while D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 remains close.

Evidence leader 89 /100
Lead 11 points
Data 69% source coverage
89
#1 Evidence leader

iX

69% source coverage 4 strong categories
Best at Performance 100 Check Practicality 72
Performance 100
Efficiency 90
Safety 92
Practicality 72
Leads by 11 points
78
#2

D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35

74% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Safety 94 Check Efficiency 47
Performance 75
Efficiency 47
Safety 94
Practicality 88
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance iX +25 Efficiency iX +43 Safety D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 +2 Practicality D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 +16

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

iX

Performance 100/100
Efficiency 90/100
Safety 92/100
Practicality 72/100

D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35

Performance 75/100
Efficiency 47/100
Safety 94/100
Practicality 88/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index BMW iX leads the specification evidence index with 89 pts vs 78 pts for D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35

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

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D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 vs iX 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.