Isuzu D-Max Single Cab vs Hyundai H-100 Chassis 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 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
VS
Hyundai H-100 Chassis Cab in South Africa

Hyundai H-100 Chassis Cab

2.6D Chassis Cab Aircon 5MT Diesel Manual
ZAR 391,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 58 kW 🔧 167 Nm ⛽ 10.2 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 Single Cab
🔑 Ownership H-100 Chassis Cab
H-100 Chassis Cab starts ZAR 373750 cheaper D-Max Single Cab from ZAR 373,750 · H-100 Chassis Cab from ZAR 367,900

Key Specs Side by Side

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

Spec D-Max Single Cab H-100 Chassis Cab
Engine Power 110 @ 3600 58
Torque 350 @ 1800-2600 167
Engine Size 1900 2607
Claimed Mileage 14.1 10.2
Ground Clearance 227 185 mm
Boot Space Not Applicable Not Applicable
Airbags Passenger Not Available
Kerb Weight 1810 Not Applicable
Seating Capacity 2 3
Warranty 5 years / 120 000 km 5

= leads in this spec

The Bottom Line

D-Max Single Cab has a slight advantage, but H-100 Chassis Cab remains highly competitive.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance D-Max Single Cab +28 pts
Efficiency D-Max Single Cab +10 pts
Safety D-Max Single Cab +28 pts
Practicality D-Max Single Cab +10 pts
Ownership H-100 Chassis Cab +17 pts

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

🏆 Overall Winner

D-Max Single Cab

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger safety package
  • More practical for daily use
Weak Spots
  • Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to: Highway Driving Fuel Efficiency Family Usage

H-100 Chassis Cab

Strengths
  • Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Less comprehensive safety features
  • Less practical in daily usage
Best suited to: General Use

Which One's Right for You?

D-Max Single Cab

  • Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
  • Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
  • Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
  • Large families needing more practicality and usability

H-100 Chassis Cab

  • Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec D-Max Single Cab H-100 Chassis Cab
Model Introduced Year Current local generation year not confirmed Current local generation year not confirmed
Generation Current South African D-Max Single Cab listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data. Current South African H-100 Chassis 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 Single Cab pickup Chassis cab
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 Top grade in the South Africa lineup Mid grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 1.9 DDi Single Cab 4x4 HR L MT -
Model Year MY26 2026
Production Status published published
Segment Pickup Pickup
Vehicle Type Pickup Pickup
Spec D-Max Single Cab H-100 Chassis Cab
Ground Clearance 227 mm 185 mm
Wheelbase 3125 mm 2640 mm
Length 5325 mm 5125 mm
Width 1870 mm 1740 mm
Height 1780 mm 1970 mm
Kerb Weight 1810 kg Not Applicable
Gross Vehicle Weight 3100 kg Not Applicable
Seating Capacity 2 3
Boot Space Not Applicable Not Applicable
Towing Capacity 2100 kg Not Applicable
Front Track Width Not Applicable Not Applicable
Rear Track Width Not Applicable Not Applicable
Turning Radius 12.5 m Not Applicable
Load Bed Length 2330 mm Not Applicable
Load Bed Width 1590 mm Not Applicable
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 1230 kg Not Applicable
Boot Volume Not Applicable Not Applicable
Doors 2 2
Seats 2 3
Fuel Tank Capacity 76 l 65 l
Gross Combined Mass Kg 5000 kg -
Gross Vehicle Mass Kg 3100 kg Not Applicable
Ground Clearance Max 227 mm 185 mm
Ground Clearance Min 227 mm 185 mm
Ground Clearance Mm 227 mm 185 mm
Height Mm 1780 mm 1970 mm
Length Mm 5325 mm 5125 mm
Loadbox Length Mm 2330 mm Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm 1590 mm Not Applicable
Payload Kg 1230 kg Not Applicable
Cargo Volume Not Applicable Not Applicable
Rear Overhang Mm 1310 mm -
Tare Mass Kg 1810 kg Not Applicable
Track Front Rear Mm 1570/1570 -
Turning Circle 12.5 m Not Applicable
Turning Circle M 12.5 m Not Applicable
Width Mm 1870 mm 1740 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 14 points

D-Max Single Cab has a slight advantage, but H-100 Chassis Cab remains highly competitive.

Winner 58 /100
Lead 14 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 14 points
44
#2

H-100 Chassis Cab

70% data confidence 0 strong categories
Best at Ownership 65 Check Safety 28
Performance 34
Efficiency 46
Safety 28
Practicality 54
Ownership 65
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance D-Max Single Cab +28 Efficiency D-Max Single Cab +10 Safety D-Max Single Cab +28 Practicality D-Max Single Cab +10 Ownership H-100 Chassis Cab +17

Moderate difference between the models.

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

H-100 Chassis Cab

Performance 34/100
Efficiency 46/100
Safety 28/100
Practicality 54/100
Ownership 65/100

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 Isuzu D-Max Single Cab wins with 58 pts vs 44 pts for H-100 Chassis Cab

In structured scoring, D-Max Single Cab emerges as the stronger overall package. However, H-100 Chassis Cab may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Other Comparisons Worth Checking

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

D-Max Single Cab
D-Max Single Cab
VS
H-100 Deck
H-100 Deck
D-Max Single Cab vs H-100 Deck →
D-Max Single Cab
D-Max Single Cab
VS
Pik Up Double Cab
Pik Up Double Cab
D-Max Single Cab vs Pik Up Double Cab →
D-Max Single Cab
D-Max Single Cab
VS
P300
P300
D-Max Single Cab vs P300 →
D-Max Single Cab
D-Max Single Cab
VS
Hilux Single Cab
Hilux Single Cab
D-Max Single Cab vs Hilux Single Cab →
D-Max Single Cab
D-Max Single Cab
VS
H-100 Tipper
H-100 Tipper
D-Max Single Cab vs H-100 Tipper →
D-Max Single Cab
D-Max Single Cab
VS
Navara Single Cab
Navara Single Cab
D-Max Single Cab vs Navara Single Cab →
H-100 Chassis Cab
H-100 Chassis Cab
VS
H-100 Deck
H-100 Deck
H-100 Chassis Cab vs H-100 Deck →
H-100 Chassis Cab
H-100 Chassis Cab
VS
Pik Up Double Cab
Pik Up Double Cab
H-100 Chassis Cab vs Pik Up Double Cab →

Buyers Also Looked At These

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

D-Max Single Cab
D-Max Single Cab
VS
Ranger Platinum
Ranger Platinum
D-Max Single Cab vs Ranger Platinum →
D-Max Single Cab
D-Max Single Cab
VS
Ranger Raptor
Ranger Raptor
D-Max Single Cab vs Ranger Raptor →
D-Max Single Cab
D-Max Single Cab
VS
Ranger Sport
Ranger Sport
D-Max Single Cab vs Ranger Sport →
D-Max Single Cab
D-Max Single Cab
VS
Ranger Tremor
Ranger Tremor
D-Max Single Cab vs Ranger Tremor →
D-Max Single Cab
D-Max Single Cab
VS
Ranger Wildtrak
Ranger Wildtrak
D-Max Single Cab vs Ranger Wildtrak →
D-Max Single Cab
D-Max Single Cab
VS
Ranger XL
Ranger XL
D-Max Single Cab vs Ranger XL →

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 Single Cab 56 vs H-100 Chassis Cab 46. 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 Single Cab 56, H-100 Chassis Cab 28. 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 Single Cab 48, H-100 Chassis Cab 65. 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 Single Cab 64, H-100 Chassis Cab 54. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: D-Max Single Cab 62, H-100 Chassis Cab 34. 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 Single Cab and H-100 Chassis Cab in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: D-Max Single Cab scores 62 vs 34.

Efficiency: D-Max Single Cab scores 56 vs 46.

Safety: D-Max Single Cab scores 56 vs 28.

Practicality: D-Max Single Cab scores 64 vs 54.

Ownership: D-Max Single Cab scores 48 vs 65.

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