Isuzu D-Max Extended Cab vs Isuzu D-Max Single Cab

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 Extended Cab in South Africa

Isuzu D-Max Extended Cab

3.0 DDi Extended Cab LSE AT Diesel Automatic
ZAR 700,760 ex-showroom
⚡ 110 kW 🔧 350 @ 1800-2600 Nm ⛽ 12.7 km/l
VS
Isuzu D-Max Single Cab in South Africa

Isuzu D-Max Single Cab

1.9 DDi Single Cab 4x4 HR L MT Diesel Manual
ZAR 585,200 ex-showroom
⚡ 110 kW 🔧 350 @ 1800-2600 Nm ⛽ 14.1 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

⚡ Performance D-Max Single Cab
⛽ Fuel Economy D-Max Single Cab
🛡 Safety D-Max Single Cab
📦 Practicality D-Max Extended Cab
🔑 Ownership Tie
D-Max Single Cab starts ZAR 504700 cheaper D-Max Extended Cab from ZAR 504,700 · D-Max Single Cab from ZAR 373,750

Key Specs Side by Side

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

Spec D-Max Extended Cab D-Max Single Cab
Engine Power 110 @ 3600 110 @ 3600
Torque 350 @ 1800-2600 350 @ 1800-2600
Engine Size 3000 1900
Claimed Mileage 12.7 14.1
Ground Clearance 232 227
Boot Space Not Applicable Not Applicable
Airbags Not Available Passenger
Kerb Weight 1930 1810
Seating Capacity 4 2
Warranty 5 years / 120 000 km 5 years / 120 000 km

= leads in this spec

The Bottom Line

Both D-Max Extended Cab and D-Max Single Cab are extremely closely matched, making the final choice dependent on buyer preference.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance D-Max Single Cab +5 pts
Efficiency D-Max Single Cab +6 pts
Safety D-Max Single Cab +18 pts
Practicality D-Max Extended Cab +17 pts
Ownership Equal

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

D-Max Extended Cab

Strengths
  • More practical for daily use
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Less comprehensive safety features
Best suited to: Family Usage
🏆 Overall Winner

D-Max Single Cab

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger safety package
Weak Spots
  • Less practical in daily usage
Best suited to: Highway Driving Fuel Efficiency

Which One's Right for You?

D-Max Extended Cab

  • Large families needing more practicality and usability

D-Max Single Cab

  • Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
  • Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
  • Families prioritising stronger safety equipment

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec D-Max Extended Cab D-Max Single Cab
Model Introduced Year Current local generation year not confirmed Current local generation year not confirmed
Generation Current South African D-Max Extended Cab listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data. Current South African D-Max Single Cab 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 Extended Cab pickup Single 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 Top grade in the South Africa lineup
Model Year MY26 MY26
Production Status published published
Segment Pickup Pickup
Vehicle Type Pickup Pickup
Drivetrain Note - Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 1.9 DDi Single Cab 4x4 HR L MT
Spec D-Max Extended Cab D-Max Single Cab
Ground Clearance 232 mm 227 mm
Wheelbase 3125 mm 3125 mm
Length 5333 mm 5325 mm
Width 1870 mm 1870 mm
Height 1790 mm 1780 mm
Kerb Weight 1930 kg 1810 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight 3000 kg 3100 kg
Seating Capacity 4 2
Boot Space Not Applicable Not Applicable
Towing Capacity 3500 kg 2100 kg
Front Track Width Not Applicable Not Applicable
Rear Track Width Not Applicable Not Applicable
Turning Radius 12.5 m 12.5 m
Load Bed Length 1805 mm 2330 mm
Load Bed Width 1530 mm 1590 mm
Front Legroom Not Applicable Not Applicable
Rear Legroom Not Applicable Not Applicable
Front Headroom Not Applicable Not Applicable
Rear Headroom Not Applicable Not Applicable
Front Shoulder Room Not Applicable Not Applicable
Rear Shoulder Room Not Applicable Not Applicable
Boot Space Seats Folded Not Applicable Not Applicable
Number of Doors 2 2
Max Payload 1005 kg 1230 kg
Boot Volume Not Applicable Not Applicable
Doors 2 2
Seats 4 2
Fuel Tank Capacity 76 l 76 l
Gross Combined Mass Kg 6000 kg 5000 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass Kg 3000 kg 3100 kg
Ground Clearance Max 232 mm 227 mm
Ground Clearance Min 232 mm 227 mm
Ground Clearance Mm 232 mm 227 mm
Height Mm 1790 mm 1780 mm
Length Mm 5333 mm 5325 mm
Loadbox Length Mm 1805 mm 2330 mm
Loadbox Width Mm 1530 mm 1590 mm
Payload Kg 1005 kg 1230 kg
Cargo Volume Not Applicable Not Applicable
Rear Overhang Mm 1318 mm 1310 mm
Tare Mass Kg 1930 kg 1810 kg
Track Front Rear Mm 1570 / 1570 1570/1570
Turning Circle 12.5 m 12.5 m
Turning Circle M 12.5 m 12.5 m
Width Mm 1870 mm 1870 mm

Overall Verdict Score

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

Weighted / 100
Verdict readout

D-Max Single Cab leads by 2 points

Both D-Max Extended Cab and D-Max Single Cab are extremely closely matched, making the final choice dependent on buyer preference.

Winner 58 /100
Lead 2 points
Data 79% confidence
58
#1 Winner

D-Max Single Cab

79% data confidence 0 strong categories
Best at Practicality 64 Check Ownership 48
Performance 62
Efficiency 56
Safety 56
Practicality 64
Ownership 48
Leads by 2 points
56
#2

D-Max Extended Cab

79% data confidence 1 strong categories
Best at Practicality 81 Check Safety 38
Performance 57
Efficiency 50
Safety 38
Practicality 81
Ownership 48
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance D-Max Single Cab +5 Efficiency D-Max Single Cab +6 Safety D-Max Single Cab +18 Practicality D-Max Extended Cab +17 Ownership Level

Very close match. Final decision depends on buyer preference.

Why this score View full breakdown
Overall Winner

D-Max Single Cab

Performance 62/100
Efficiency 56/100
Safety 56/100
Practicality 64/100
Ownership 48/100

D-Max Extended Cab

Performance 57/100
Efficiency 50/100
Safety 38/100
Practicality 81/100
Ownership 48/100

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 Isuzu D-Max Single Cab wins with 58 pts vs 56 pts for D-Max Extended Cab

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

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See how similar cars go head-to-head — you might find a better fit than you expected.

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Questions Buyers Usually Ask

On our scoring the D-Max Single Cab 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 Extended Cab 50 vs D-Max Single Cab 56. 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 Extended Cab 38, D-Max Single Cab 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 Extended Cab 48, D-Max Single Cab 48. 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 Extended Cab 81, D-Max Single Cab 64. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: D-Max Extended Cab 57, D-Max Single Cab 62. 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 D-Max Single Cab edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.

The D-Max Single Cab 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 Extended Cab and D-Max Single Cab in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: D-Max Extended Cab scores 57 vs 62.

Efficiency: D-Max Extended Cab scores 50 vs 56.

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

Practicality: D-Max Extended Cab scores 81 vs 64.

Ownership: D-Max Extended Cab scores 48 vs 48.

Final structured scoring gives D-Max Single Cab the advantage in this comparison.