Isuzu D-Max Double Cab vs Suzuki Swift Sport

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
Suzuki Swift Sport in South Africa

Suzuki Swift Sport

1.4 Turbo AT Petrol 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 493,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 103 kW 🔧 230 Nm ⛽ 16.1 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Isuzu D-Max Double Cab vs Suzuki Swift Sport: the short answer

D-Max Double Cab has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Swift Sport remains close.

Swift Sport starts ZAR 104,110 cheaper D-Max Double Cab from ZAR 574,010 · Swift Sport from ZAR 469,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification D-Max Double Cab Swift Sport
Maximum Power D-Max Double Cab110 kW @ 3600 rpm Swift Sport103 kW
Maximum Torque D-Max Double Cab350 Nm Swift Sport230 Nm
Engine Size D-Max Double Cab3000 cc Swift Sport1373 cc
Combined Fuel Economy D-Max Double Cab12.3 km/l Swift Sport16.1 km/l
Ground Clearance D-Max Double Cab232 mm Swift Sport0 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 Double Cab

3.0 DDi Double Cab 4x4 LSE AT

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

Suzuki Swift Sport

1.4 Turbo AT

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 Double Cab

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

Swift Sport

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 Double Cab

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Swift Sport

  • 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 Swift Sport
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. Current market generation
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. Current market specification
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version 2026
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Double Cab pickup Hatchback
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 Hatchback
Tare Mass Kg 2070 kg -
Vehicle Type Pickup Hatchback
Spec D-Max Double Cab Swift Sport
Length 5333 mm 3860 mm
Width 1880 mm 1735 mm
Height 1805 mm 1520 mm
Wheelbase 3125 mm 2450 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 232 mm 0 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 220 mm 150 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 76 l 37 l
Boot/Cargo Space 1000 l 265 l
Kerb Weight 2070 kg 920 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 3100 kg 1380 kg
Payload Capacity 970 kg 460 kg
Towing Capacity 3500 kg 500 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors 4 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 12.5 m 5.2 m
Front Headroom 1005 mm 1000 mm
Rear Headroom 975 mm 950 mm
Front Legroom 1060 mm 1050 mm
Rear Legroom 900 mm 900 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This D-Max Double Cab and Swift Sport 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 Swift Sport 45.

Efficiency index: D-Max Double Cab 49 vs Swift Sport 62.

Safety-equipment index: D-Max Double Cab 44 vs Swift Sport 67.

Practicality index: D-Max Double Cab 91 vs Swift Sport 42.

Ownership-cover index: D-Max Double Cab not separately scored vs Swift Sport 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 Double Cab leads by 10 points

D-Max Double Cab has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Swift Sport remains close.

Evidence leader 63 /100
Lead 10 points
Data 75% source coverage
63
#1 Evidence leader

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
Leads by 10 points
53
#2

Swift Sport

74% source coverage 0 strong categories
Best at Safety 67 Check Practicality 42
Performance 45
Efficiency 62
Safety 67
Practicality 42
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance D-Max Double Cab +19 Efficiency Swift Sport +13 Safety Swift Sport +23 Practicality D-Max Double Cab +49

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

D-Max Double Cab

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

Swift Sport

Performance 45/100
Efficiency 62/100
Safety 67/100
Practicality 42/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Isuzu D-Max Double Cab leads the specification evidence index with 63 pts vs 53 pts for Swift Sport

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

Related comparisons

Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.

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VS
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Swift Sport vs DOLPHIN →

D-Max Double Cab vs Swift Sport 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.