Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 vs Ford Transit Van

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
Ford Transit Van in South Africa

Ford Transit Van

2.0L 470 ELWB 6MT Diesel 6-Speed Manual Current
ZAR 1,062,000 ex-showroom
⚡ 121 kW 🔧 390 Nm ⛽ 10.8 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 vs Ford Transit Van: the short answer

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

Transit Van starts ZAR 200,410 cheaper D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 from ZAR 1,211,910 · Transit Van from ZAR 1,011,500

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 Transit Van
Maximum Power D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35140 kW @ 3600 rpm Transit Van121 kW
Maximum Torque D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35450 Nm Transit Van390 Nm
Engine Size D-Max Arctic Trucks AT352999 cc Transit Van1996 cc
Combined Fuel Economy D-Max Arctic Trucks AT3511.8 km/l Transit Van10.8 km/l
Ground Clearance D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35266 mm Transit Van147 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

Ford Transit Van

2.0L 470 ELWB 6MT

Hagalu editorial rating
4.1/5

Desk research · Exact variant

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)

Specification evidence 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

Transit Van

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

Transit Van

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 Transit Van
Model Introduced Year 2023 Current local generation year not confirmed
Generation Seventh-generation D-Max; MY26 facelift; AT35 conversion Current South African Transit Van 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 Van
Gross Combined Mass Kg 5780 kg -
Model Year MY26 2026
Production Status active active
Segment Extreme-terrain lifestyle pickup Commercial van
Tare Mass Kg 2160 kg 2355 kg
Vehicle Type Light commercial vehicle Van
Model Code M260RY7 -
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
Gross Weight Class - 470 series
Wheelbase Type - Extra-long wheelbase
Spec D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 Transit Van
Length 5333 mm 6704 mm
Width 2040 mm 2059 mm
Height 1875 mm 2781 mm
Wheelbase 3125 mm 3750 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 266 mm 147 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 220 mm 125 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 76 l 50 l
Boot/Cargo Space 1000 l 490 l
Kerb Weight 2200 kg 2355 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2880 kg 4700 kg
Payload Capacity 660 kg 2270 kg
Towing Capacity 3500 kg 1600 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 3 seats
Number of Rows 1 rows 2 rows
Doors 4 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 6.25 m 5.6 m
Front Headroom 1005 mm 998 mm
Rear Headroom 900 mm 959 mm
Front Legroom 1060 mm 1042 mm
Rear Legroom 700 mm 899 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 and Transit Van 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 Transit Van 65.

Efficiency index: D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 47 vs Transit Van 48.

Safety-equipment index: D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 94 vs Transit Van 90.

Practicality index: D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 88 vs Transit Van 63.

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

D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 leads by 10 points

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

Evidence leader 78 /100
Lead 10 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 10 points
68
#2

Transit Van

65% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 90 Check Efficiency 48
Performance 65
Efficiency 48
Safety 90
Practicality 63
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 +10 Efficiency Transit Van +1 Safety D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 +4 Practicality D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 +25

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

Transit Van

Performance 65/100
Efficiency 48/100
Safety 90/100
Practicality 63/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 leads the specification evidence index with 78 pts vs 68 pts for Transit Van

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 leads. However, Transit Van 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 Transit Van 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.