Isuzu D-Max Double Cab vs Ford Ranger Tremor

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 Double Cab in South Africa

Isuzu D-Max Double Cab

3.0 DDi Double Cab 4x4 LSE AT Diesel Automatic
ZAR 900,310 ex-showroom
⚡ 110 kW 🔧 350 @ 1800-2600 Nm ⛽ 12.3 km/l
VS
Ford Ranger Tremor in South Africa

Ford Ranger Tremor

3.0TD V6 Double Cab Tremor 10AT 4x4 Diesel Automatic
ZAR 1,039,000 ex-showroom
⚡ 184 kW 🔧 600 Nm ⛽ 10.6 km/l
Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

Performance Ranger Tremor
Fuel Economy D-Max Double Cab
🛡 Safety Ranger Tremor
📦 Practicality Ranger Tremor
🔑 Ownership Ranger Tremor
D-Max Double Cab starts ZAR 1039000 cheaper D-Max Double Cab from ZAR 574,010 · Ranger Tremor from ZAR 1,039,000

Key Specs Side by Side

The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.

Spec D-Max Double Cab Ranger Tremor
Engine Power 110 @ 3600 184
Torque 350 @ 1800-2600 600
Engine Size 3000 2993
Claimed Mileage 12.3 10.6
Ground Clearance 232 261
Boot Space Not Applicable Not Applicable
Airbags Not Available Dual front, front side, curtain and driver knee
Kerb Weight 2070 2365
Seating Capacity 5 5
Warranty 5 years / 120 000 km 4 years / 120 000 km

= leads in this spec

The Bottom Line

Ranger Tremor has a slight advantage, but D-Max Double Cab remains highly competitive.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance Ranger Tremor +29 pts
Efficiency D-Max Double Cab +1 pts
Safety Ranger Tremor +18 pts
Practicality Ranger Tremor +2 pts
Ownership Ranger Tremor +6 pts

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

D-Max Double Cab

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Less comprehensive safety features
  • Less practical in daily usage
  • Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to: Fuel Efficiency
🏆 Overall Winner

Ranger Tremor

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger safety package
  • More practical for daily use
  • Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to: Highway Driving Family Usage

Which One's Right for You?

D-Max Double Cab

  • Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency

Ranger Tremor

  • Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
  • Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
  • Large families needing more practicality and usability
  • Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec D-Max Double Cab Ranger Tremor
Model Introduced Year Current local generation year not confirmed Current local generation year not confirmed
Generation Current South African D-Max Double Cab listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data. Current South African Ranger Tremor listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data.
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. 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 Original current-generation version Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Double Cab pickup Double Cab Pickup
Body Type Cab Single/extended/double cab as per derivative name 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. 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 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 Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 3.0TD V6 Double Cab Tremor 10AT 4x4
Model Year MY26 2026
Production Status published active
Segment Pickup Mid-size Bakkie
Vehicle Type Pickup Pickup
Spec D-Max Double Cab Ranger Tremor
Ground Clearance 232 mm 261 mm
Wheelbase 3125 mm 3270 mm
Length 5333 mm 5370 mm
Width 1880 mm 1949 mm
Height 1805 mm 1914 mm
Kerb Weight 2070 kg 2365 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight 3100 kg 3350 kg
Seating Capacity 5 5
Boot Space Not Applicable Not Applicable
Towing Capacity 3500 kg 3500 kg
Front Track Width Not Applicable 1650 mm
Rear Track Width Not Applicable 1650 mm
Turning Radius 12.5 m 12.9 m
Load Bed Length 1495 mm Not Applicable
Load Bed Width 1530 mm Not Applicable
Front Legroom Not Applicable 1057 mm
Rear Legroom Not Applicable 879 mm
Front Headroom Not Applicable 1024 mm
Rear Headroom Not Applicable 989 mm
Front Shoulder Room Not Applicable 1450 mm
Rear Shoulder Room Not Applicable 1440 mm
Boot Space Seats Folded Not Applicable Not Applicable
Number of Doors 4 4
Max Payload 970 kg 985 kg
Boot Volume Not Applicable Not Applicable
Doors 4 4
Seats 5 5
Fuel Tank Capacity 76 l 80 l
Gross Combined Mass Kg 6000 kg -
Gross Vehicle Mass Kg 3100 kg 3350 kg
Ground Clearance Max 232 mm 261 mm
Ground Clearance Min 232 mm 261 mm
Ground Clearance Mm 232 mm 261 mm
Height Mm 1805 mm 1914 mm
Length Mm 5333 mm 5370 mm
Loadbox Length Mm 1495 mm Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm 1530 mm Not Applicable
Payload Kg 970 kg 985 kg
Cargo Volume Not Applicable Not Applicable
Rear Overhang Mm 1318 mm -
Tare Mass Kg 2070 kg 2365 kg
Track Front Rear Mm 1570/1570 -
Turning Circle 12.5 m 12.9 m
Turning Circle M 12.5 m 12.9 m
Width Mm 1880 mm 1949 mm
Tracking System - Vehicle locator via app

Overall Verdict Score

Decision-grade view of the winner, score gap and category strengths.

Weighted / 100
Verdict readout

Ranger Tremor leads by 13 points

Ranger Tremor has a slight advantage, but D-Max Double Cab remains highly competitive.

Winner 70 /100
Lead 13 points
Data 77% confidence
70
#1 Winner

Ranger Tremor

77% data confidence 2 strong categories
Best at Performance 91 Check Efficiency 48
Performance 91
Efficiency 48
Safety 56
Practicality 87
Ownership 54
Leads by 13 points
57
#2

D-Max Double Cab

79% data confidence 1 strong categories
Best at Practicality 85 Check Safety 38
Performance 62
Efficiency 49
Safety 38
Practicality 85
Ownership 48
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Ranger Tremor +29 Efficiency D-Max Double Cab +1 Safety Ranger Tremor +18 Practicality Ranger Tremor +2 Ownership Ranger Tremor +6

Moderate difference between the models.

Why this score View full breakdown
Overall Winner

Ranger Tremor

Performance 91/100
Efficiency 48/100
Safety 56/100
Practicality 87/100
Ownership 54/100

D-Max Double Cab

Performance 62/100
Efficiency 49/100
Safety 38/100
Practicality 85/100
Ownership 48/100

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 Ford Ranger Tremor wins with 70 pts vs 57 pts for D-Max Double Cab

In structured scoring, Ranger Tremor emerges as the stronger overall package. However, D-Max Double Cab may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Buyers Also Looked At These

Other comparisons that people in the same boat tend to check out.

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

On our scoring the Ranger Tremor edges ahead overall. That said, the right choice depends on what you actually use the car for — the breakdown above shows exactly where each one wins and loses.

Efficiency scores: D-Max Double Cab 49 vs Ranger Tremor 48. In the real world, diesel variants of either car will beat the claimed figure on long highways and fall short in Joburg traffic.

Safety scores: D-Max Double Cab 38, Ranger Tremor 56. Check each model page for NCAP ratings and which trim levels include AEB and blind-spot monitoring — those features aren't always standard.

Long-term ownership scores: D-Max Double Cab 48, Ranger Tremor 54. Service intervals, parts availability in SA, and whether a service plan is bundled all factor in — check the individual variant specs for that detail.

Practicality scores: D-Max Double Cab 85, Ranger Tremor 87. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: D-Max Double Cab 62, Ranger Tremor 91. This looks at real-world pace — 0–100 kph, highway flexibility, and how either car feels when you actually need to overtake on an N-road.

Resale varies with colour, spec, and market timing, but Japanese brands — and Toyota specifically — have a strong track record in SA. Check current used prices for both on AutoTrader to see the real gap right now.

Ground clearance and 4WD availability are what matter most here. Scroll to the spec table above to compare both side by side — if either model offers a 4WD variant, that's the version worth comparing.

Fuel, insurance, and service costs are the big three. Diesel variants of both models typically save R800–R1,500/month in fuel at current SA pump prices. The Ranger Tremor edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.

The Ranger Tremor scores better overall, but neither car is a bad buy here. It comes down to what features matter to you — check the full spec table above to see exactly what you gain and lose at each price point.

In Depth — Breaking It All Down

The comparison between D-Max Double Cab and Ranger Tremor in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: D-Max Double Cab scores 62 vs 91.

Efficiency: D-Max Double Cab scores 49 vs 48.

Safety: D-Max Double Cab scores 38 vs 56.

Practicality: D-Max Double Cab scores 85 vs 87.

Ownership: D-Max Double Cab scores 48 vs 54.

Final structured scoring gives Ranger Tremor the advantage in this comparison.