Isuzu D-Max Single Cab vs Toyota Hilux Double 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
Toyota Hilux Double Cab in South Africa

Toyota Hilux Double Cab

2.8 GD-6 4X4 Legend RS Double Cab 6AT Diesel Automatic
ZAR 917,900 ex-showroom
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 Hilux Double Cab
D-Max Single Cab starts ZAR 479200 cheaper D-Max Single Cab from ZAR 373,750 · Hilux Double Cab from ZAR 479,200

Key Specs Side by Side

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

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

= leads in this spec

The Bottom Line

D-Max Single Cab holds a noticeable edge over Hilux Double Cab, especially in key ownership areas.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance D-Max Single Cab +12 pts
Efficiency D-Max Single Cab +6 pts
Safety D-Max Single Cab +56 pts
Practicality D-Max Single Cab +14 pts
Ownership Hilux Double Cab +2 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

Hilux Double 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

Hilux Double Cab

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

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec D-Max Single Cab Hilux Double Cab
Model Introduced Year 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. -
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. -
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version -
Facelift Version Ending Current -
Body Style Single Cab 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 Top 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 -
Production Status published -
Segment Pickup -
Vehicle Type Pickup -
Spec D-Max Single Cab Hilux Double Cab
Ground Clearance 227 mm -
Wheelbase 3125 mm -
Length 5325 mm -
Width 1870 mm -
Height 1780 mm -
Kerb Weight 1810 kg -
Gross Vehicle Weight 3100 kg -
Seating Capacity 2 -
Boot Space Not Applicable -
Towing Capacity 2100 kg -
Front Track Width Not Applicable -
Rear Track Width Not Applicable -
Turning Radius 12.5 m -
Load Bed Length 2330 mm -
Load Bed Width 1590 mm -
Front Legroom Not Applicable -
Rear Legroom Not Applicable -
Front Headroom Not Applicable -
Rear Headroom Not Applicable -
Front Shoulder Room Not Applicable -
Rear Shoulder Room Not Applicable -
Boot Space Seats Folded Not Applicable -
Number of Doors 2 -
Max Payload 1230 kg -
Boot Volume Not Applicable -
Doors 2 -
Seats 2 -
Fuel Tank Capacity 76 l -
Gross Combined Mass Kg 5000 kg -
Gross Vehicle Mass Kg 3100 kg -
Ground Clearance Max 227 mm -
Ground Clearance Min 227 mm -
Ground Clearance Mm 227 mm -
Height Mm 1780 mm -
Length Mm 5325 mm -
Loadbox Length Mm 2330 mm -
Loadbox Width Mm 1590 mm -
Payload Kg 1230 kg -
Cargo Volume Not Applicable -
Rear Overhang Mm 1310 mm -
Tare Mass Kg 1810 kg -
Track Front Rear Mm 1570/1570 -
Turning Circle 12.5 m -
Turning Circle M 12.5 m -
Width 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 19 points

D-Max Single Cab holds a noticeable edge over Hilux Double Cab, especially in key ownership areas.

Winner 58 /100
Lead 19 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 19 points
39
#2

Hilux Double Cab

11% data confidence 0 strong categories
Best at Performance 50 Check Safety 0
Performance 50
Efficiency 50
Safety 0
Practicality 50
Ownership 50
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance D-Max Single Cab +12 Efficiency D-Max Single Cab +6 Safety D-Max Single Cab +56 Practicality D-Max Single Cab +14 Ownership Hilux Double Cab +2

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

Hilux Double Cab

Performance 50/100
Efficiency 50/100
Safety 0/100
Practicality 50/100
Ownership 50/100

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 Isuzu D-Max Single Cab wins with 58 pts vs 39 pts for Hilux Double Cab

In structured scoring, D-Max Single Cab emerges as the stronger overall package. However, Hilux 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 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 Hilux Double Cab 50. 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, Hilux Double Cab 0. 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, Hilux Double Cab 50. 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, Hilux Double Cab 50. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: D-Max Single Cab 62, Hilux Double Cab 50. 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 Hilux Double Cab in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: D-Max Single Cab scores 62 vs 50.

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

Safety: D-Max Single Cab scores 56 vs 0.

Practicality: D-Max Single Cab scores 64 vs 50.

Ownership: D-Max Single Cab scores 48 vs 50.

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