Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 vs Toyota Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab

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
Toyota Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab in South Africa

Toyota Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab

4.0 V6 Double Cab MT Petrol 6-Speed Manual Current
ZAR 870,000 ex-showroom
⚡ 202 kW 🔧 381 Nm ⛽ 13 km/l
Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 vs Toyota Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab: the short answer

D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab remains close.

Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab starts ZAR 410,910 cheaper D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 from ZAR 1,211,910 · Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab from ZAR 801,000

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab
Maximum Power D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35140 kW @ 3600 rpm Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab202 kW
Maximum Torque D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35450 Nm Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab381 Nm
Engine Size D-Max Arctic Trucks AT352999 cc Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab3956 cc
Combined Fuel Economy D-Max Arctic Trucks AT3511.8 km/l Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab13 km/l
Ground Clearance D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35266 mm Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab235 mm

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

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35

Strengths
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: General Use

Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab

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

Which One's Right for You?

D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35

  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab

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

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab
Model Introduced Year 2023 Current local generation year not confirmed
Generation Seventh-generation D-Max; MY26 facelift; AT35 conversion Current South African Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab 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 Pickup
Gross Combined Mass Kg 5780 kg -
Model Year MY26 2026
Production Status On sale published
Segment Extreme-terrain lifestyle pickup Pickup
Tare Mass Kg 2160 kg 2050 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 - Mid grade in the South Africa lineup
Spec D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab
Length 5333 mm 5270 mm
Width 2040 mm 1855 mm
Height 1875 mm 1855 mm
Wheelbase 3125 mm 3085 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 266 mm 235 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 76 l 87 l
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2880 kg 3100 kg
Payload Capacity 660 kg -
Towing Capacity 3500 kg 3500 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 4 doors 4 doors
Kerb Weight - 2050 kg
Minimum Turning Radius - 6.4 m

In depth: how these cars differ

This D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 and Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab 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 Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab 78.

Efficiency index: D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 47 vs Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab 49.

Safety-equipment index: D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 94 vs Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab 50.

Practicality index: D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 81 vs Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab 83.

Ownership-cover index: D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 not separately scored vs Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab 43.

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

D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 leads by 13 points

D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab remains close.

Evidence leader 76 /100
Lead 13 points
Data 64% source coverage
76
#1 Evidence 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 13 points
63
#2

Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab

77% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Practicality 83 Check Ownership 43
Performance 78
Efficiency 49
Safety 50
Practicality 83
Ownership 43
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab +3 Efficiency Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab +2 Safety D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 +44 Practicality Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab +2

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35

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

Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab

Performance 78/100
Efficiency 49/100
Safety 50/100
Practicality 83/100
Ownership 43/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 leads the specification evidence index with 76 pts vs 63 pts for Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 leads. However, Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 vs Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab questions

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.