Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 vs Volkswagen T-Roc

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
Volkswagen T-Roc in South Africa

Volkswagen T-Roc

2.0 TSI 140kW 4Motion R-Line DSG Petrol 7-Speed DCT Current
ZAR 760,100 ex-showroom
⚡ 140 kW 🔧 320 Nm ⛽ 15.9 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 vs Volkswagen T-Roc: the short answer

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

T-Roc starts ZAR 563,010 cheaper D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 from ZAR 1,211,910 · T-Roc from ZAR 648,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 T-Roc
Maximum Power D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35140 kW @ 3600 rpm T-Roc140 kW
Maximum Torque D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35450 Nm T-Roc320 Nm
Engine Size D-Max Arctic Trucks AT352999 cc T-Roc2000 cc
Combined Fuel Economy D-Max Arctic Trucks AT3511.8 km/l T-Roc15.9 km/l
Ground Clearance D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35266 mm T-Roc168 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

Volkswagen T-Roc

2.0 TSI 140kW 4Motion R-Line DSG

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

D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35

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

T-Roc

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • 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 stronger published space and capacity figures

T-Roc

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

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 T-Roc
Model Introduced Year 2023 2021
Generation Seventh-generation D-Max; MY26 facelift; AT35 conversion Current first-generation T-Roc remains on sale while the second generation is prepared for South Africa
Facelift History MY26 mid-cycle facelift announced 3 June 2026 Volkswagen has confirmed the all-new second-generation T-Roc for the second half of 2026; local derivatives and prices are still pending
Facelift Launched Since June 2026 Volkswagen has confirmed the all-new second-generation T-Roc for the second half of 2026; local derivatives and prices are still pending
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Double-cab pickup SUV
Gross Combined Mass Kg 5780 kg -
Model Year MY26 Current
Production Status active published
Segment Extreme-terrain lifestyle pickup SUV
Tare Mass Kg 2160 kg 1400 kg
Vehicle Type Light commercial vehicle SUV
Model Code M260RY7 -
Color Note - White, Black, Silver, Grey, Blue, Red, Orange
Dealer Stock Note - Top grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note - 4x4 configuration for the local line-up
Spec D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 T-Roc
Length 5333 mm 4234 mm
Width 2040 mm 1819 mm
Height 1875 mm 1573 mm
Wheelbase 3125 mm 2593 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 266 mm 168 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 220 mm -
Fuel Tank Capacity 76 l 55 l
Boot/Cargo Space 1000 l 392 l
Kerb Weight 2200 kg 1400 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2880 kg 2020 kg
Payload Capacity 660 kg -
Towing Capacity 3500 kg 1200 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 1 rows -
Doors 4 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 6.25 m 5.4 m
Front Headroom 1005 mm -
Rear Headroom 900 mm -
Front Legroom 1060 mm -
Rear Legroom 700 mm -

In depth: how these cars differ

This D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 and T-Roc 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 T-Roc 64.

Efficiency index: D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 47 vs T-Roc 61.

Safety-equipment index: D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 94 vs T-Roc 99.

Practicality index: D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 88 vs T-Roc 58.

Ownership-cover index: D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 not separately scored vs T-Roc 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 11 points

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

Evidence leader 78 /100
Lead 11 points
Data 74% source coverage
78
#1 Evidence leader

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
Leads by 11 points
67
#2

T-Roc

89% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 99 Check Ownership 43
Performance 64
Efficiency 61
Safety 99
Practicality 58
Ownership 43
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 +11 Efficiency T-Roc +14 Safety T-Roc +5 Practicality D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 +30

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 88/100

T-Roc

Performance 64/100
Efficiency 61/100
Safety 99/100
Practicality 58/100
Ownership 43/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 leads the specification evidence index with 78 pts vs 67 pts for T-Roc

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 leads. However, T-Roc 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 T-Roc 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.