Isuzu D-Max Double Cab vs Toyota Hilux Double Cab

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 Double Cab in South Africa

Isuzu D-Max Double Cab

3.0 DDi Double Cab 4x4 LSE AT Diesel 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 900,310 ex-showroom
⚡ 110 kW 🔧 350 Nm ⛽ 12.3 km/l
VS
Toyota Hilux Double Cab in South Africa

Toyota Hilux Double Cab

2.8 GD-6 4X4 LEGEND MHEV 6AT Diesel Mild Hybrid 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 999,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 150 kW 🔧 500 Nm ⛽ 13.3 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Isuzu D-Max Double Cab vs Toyota Hilux Double Cab: the short answer

Hilux Double Cab holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over D-Max Double Cab.

Hilux Double Cab starts ZAR 94,810 cheaper D-Max Double Cab from ZAR 574,010 · Hilux Double Cab from ZAR 479,200

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification D-Max Double Cab Hilux Double Cab
Maximum Power D-Max Double Cab110 kW @ 3600 rpm Hilux Double Cab150 kW @ 3000-3400 rpm
Maximum Torque D-Max Double Cab350 Nm Hilux Double Cab500 Nm @ 1600-2800 rpm
Engine Size D-Max Double Cab3000 cc Hilux Double Cab2755 cc
Combined Fuel Economy D-Max Double Cab12.3 km/l Hilux Double Cab13.3 km/l
Ground Clearance D-Max Double Cab232 mm Hilux Double Cab312 mm

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

Evidence for Toyota Hilux Double Cab 2.8 GD-6 4X4 LEGEND MHEV 6AT

Source type: Toyota South Africa

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

D-Max Double Cab

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

Hilux Double Cab

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

Which One's Right for You?

D-Max Double Cab

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Hilux Double Cab

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • 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 Double Cab Hilux Double Cab
Model Introduced Year Current local generation year not confirmed 2026
Generation Current South African D-Max Double Cab listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data. Ninth-generation Hilux Double Cab launched in South Africa in 2026
Facelift History Model-year updates can affect trim, wheels, screens, safety equipment and colours. Use the latest South African price list when checking a specific vehicle. All-new ninth-generation South African model introduced in 2026
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version 2026
Facelift Version Ending Current Current South African specification
Body Style Double Cab pickup Pickup
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 Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup -
Drivetrain Note Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 3.0 DDi Double Cab 4x4 LSE AT -
Gross Combined Mass Kg 6000 kg -
Model Year MY26 2026
Production Status active active
Segment Pickup Bakkie
Tare Mass Kg 2070 kg -
Vehicle Type Pickup Light Commercial Vehicle
Spec D-Max Double Cab Hilux Double Cab
Length 5333 mm 5320 mm
Width 1880 mm 1885 mm
Height 1805 mm 1865 mm
Wheelbase 3125 mm 3085 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 232 mm 312 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 220 mm 185 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 76 l 80 l
Boot/Cargo Space 1000 l 1145.8 l
Kerb Weight 2070 kg 2155 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 3100 kg 2950 kg
Payload Capacity 970 kg 795 kg
Towing Capacity 3500 kg 3500 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors 4 doors 4 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 12.5 m 6.3 m
Front Headroom 1005 mm 1000 mm
Rear Headroom 975 mm 930 mm
Front Legroom 1060 mm 1040 mm
Rear Legroom 900 mm 700 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This D-Max Double Cab and Hilux Double Cab 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 Double Cab 64 vs Hilux Double Cab 74.

Efficiency index: D-Max Double Cab 49 vs Hilux Double Cab 55.

Safety-equipment index: D-Max Double Cab 44 vs Hilux Double Cab 99.

Practicality index: D-Max Double Cab 91 vs Hilux Double Cab 90.

Ownership-cover index: D-Max Double Cab not separately scored vs Hilux Double Cab 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

Hilux Double Cab leads by 18 points

Hilux Double Cab holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over D-Max Double Cab.

Evidence leader 81 /100
Lead 18 points
Data 83% source coverage
81
#1 Evidence leader

Hilux Double Cab

83% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Safety 99 Check Efficiency 55
Performance 74
Efficiency 55
Safety 99
Practicality 90
Leads by 18 points
63
#2

D-Max Double Cab

75% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Practicality 91 Check Safety 44
Performance 64
Efficiency 49
Safety 44
Practicality 91
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Hilux Double Cab +10 Efficiency Hilux Double Cab +6 Safety Hilux Double Cab +55 Practicality D-Max Double Cab +1

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Hilux Double Cab

Performance 74/100
Efficiency 55/100
Safety 99/100
Practicality 90/100

D-Max Double Cab

Performance 64/100
Efficiency 49/100
Safety 44/100
Practicality 91/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Toyota Hilux Double Cab leads the specification evidence index with 81 pts vs 63 pts for D-Max Double Cab

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Hilux Double Cab leads. However, D-Max Double Cab 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 Double Cab vs Hilux Double Cab 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.