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.
D-Max Single Cab starts ZAR 599500 cheaperD-Max Single Cab from ZAR 373,750 · Ranger XL from ZAR 599,500
Key Specs Side by Side
The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.
Spec
D-Max Single Cab
Ranger XL
Engine Power
110 @ 3600
125
Torque
350 @ 1800-2600
405
Engine Size
1900
1996
Claimed Mileage
14.1
13.5
Ground Clearance
227
237
Boot Space
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Airbags
Passenger
Dual front, front side, curtain and driver knee
Kerb Weight
1810
2113
Seating Capacity
2
5
Warranty
5 years / 120 000 km
4 years / 120 000 km
= leads in this spec
The Bottom Line
Ranger XL has a slight advantage, but D-Max Single Cab remains highly competitive.
Where They Actually Differ
Performance
Ranger XL
+7 pts
Efficiency
Ranger XL
+1 pts
Safety
Equal
Practicality
Ranger XL
+23 pts
Ownership
Ranger XL
+6 pts
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
D-Max Single Cab
Strengths
Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Less practical in daily usage
Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to:General Use
🏆 Overall Winner
Ranger XL
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Better fuel efficiency
More practical for daily use
Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
No obvious weak spots to flag.
Best suited to:Highway DrivingFuel EfficiencyFamily Usage
Which One's Right for You?
D-Max Single Cab
Buyers looking for a balanced all-round vehicle
Ranger XL
Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
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 Single Cab
Ranger XL
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 Ranger XL 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
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
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
Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 2.0 SiT Double Cab XL 10AT 4x4
Model Year
MY26
2026
Production Status
published
active
Segment
Pickup
Mid-size Bakkie
Vehicle Type
Pickup
Pickup
Spec
D-Max Single Cab
Ranger XL
Ground Clearance
227 mm
237 mm
Wheelbase
3125 mm
3270 mm
Length
5325 mm
5350 mm
Width
1870 mm
1918 mm
Height
1780 mm
1886 mm
Kerb Weight
1810 kg
2113 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight
3100 kg
3230 kg
Seating Capacity
2
5
Boot Space
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Towing Capacity
2100 kg
3500 kg
Front Track Width
Not Applicable
1620 mm
Rear Track Width
Not Applicable
1620 mm
Turning Radius
12.5 m
12.9 m
Load Bed Length
2330 mm
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
1590 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
2
4
Max Payload
1230 kg
1117 kg
Boot Volume
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Doors
2
4
Seats
2
5
Fuel Tank Capacity
76 l
80 l
Gross Combined Mass Kg
5000 kg
-
Gross Vehicle Mass Kg
3100 kg
3230 kg
Ground Clearance Max
227 mm
237 mm
Ground Clearance Min
227 mm
237 mm
Ground Clearance Mm
227 mm
237 mm
Height Mm
1780 mm
1886 mm
Length Mm
5325 mm
5350 mm
Loadbox Length Mm
2330 mm
Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm
1590 mm
Not Applicable
Payload Kg
1230 kg
1117 kg
Cargo Volume
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Rear Overhang Mm
1310 mm
-
Tare Mass Kg
1810 kg
2113 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
1870 mm
1918 mm
Tracking System
-
Vehicle locator via app
Spec
D-Max Single Cab
Ranger XL
Engine
Not Applicable
2.0L Single Turbo Diesel
Engine Type
Not Applicable
Inline 4 Cylinder Turbo Diesel
Displacement
1900 cc
1996 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Valves per Cylinder
16
Not Applicable
Power
110 @ 3600 kW
125 kW
Power @ RPM
110 @ 3600
3500
Torque
350 @ 1800-2600 Nm
405 Nm
Torque @ RPM
350 @ 1800-2600
1750-2500 10-
Fuel System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Turbocharger
Standard
Single Turbo
Top Speed
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
0-100 km/h
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Compression Ratio
16.5:1
Not Applicable
Cylinder Bore
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Piston Stroke
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Code
RZ4E-MID
Not Applicable
Power
110 @ 3600 bhp
168 bhp
Fuel Grade Required
Diesel
Diesel
Cylinder Layout
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Aspiration
Standard
Single Turbo
Engine Type Config
Not Applicable
2.0L Single Turbo Diesel
0–100 km/h
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Capacity
Not Available
Not Available
Charging Port
Not Available
Not Available
AC Charging Time
Not Available
Not Available
Engine Displacement
1900 cc
1996 cc
Engine Displacement Litres
1.9 l
2 l
EV Range
Not Available
Not Available
Acceleration 0 100
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Bore X Stroke Mm
80 x 94.4
-
Combined System Power
Not Available
Not Available
Combined System Torque
Not Available
Not Available
Engine Config
Not Applicable
2.0L Single Turbo Diesel
Engine Cylinders
4
4
Engine Displacement Cc
1900 cc
1996 cc
Engine Power kW
110 @ 3600 kW
125 kW
Engine Torque Nm
350 @ 1800-2600 Nm
405 Nm
Engine Valves
16
Not Applicable
Induction
Standard
Single Turbo
Max Power kW
110 @ 3600 kW
125 kW
Max Torque Nm
350 @ 1800-2600 Nm
405 Nm
Maximum Power
110 @ 3600 kW
125 kW
Maximum Torque
350 @ 1800-2600 Nm
405 Nm
Motor Position
Not Available
Not Available
Motor Power
Not Available
Not Available
Motor Torque
Not Available
Not Available
Motor Type
Not Available
Not Available
Power Assisted Steering
Hydraulic
-
Power kW Rpm
110 @ 3600
3500
Active Exhaust
Not Available
Not Available
System Output
Not Available
Not Available
Torque Nm Rpm
350 @ 1800-2600
1750-2500 10-
Turbo Type
Standard
Single Turbo
Engine Sump Guard
-
Underbody protection
Spec
D-Max Single Cab
Ranger XL
Transmission
Manual
Automatic
Drive Type
4WD / AWD
4WD / AWD
Drivetrain Layout
4WD / AWD
Four Wheel Drive
LSD Available
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transfer Case
Confirmed 4WD derivative
Confirmed 4WD derivative
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Final Drive Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Number of Gears
6 km/h
10 km/h
Transmission Type
Manual
Automatic
Clutch Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Drivetrain
4WD / AWD
4WD / AWD
Transmission
Manual
Automatic
4WD Engagement
Available
Available
4WD Hi Range
Available
Available
4WD Lo Range
Available where 4WD low range is fitted
Available where 4WD low range is fitted
4WD Selector
Standard
Confirmed 4WD derivative
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Drive Mode Selector
4WD/off-road drive mode support
4WD/off-road drive mode support
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gear Ratio 1st
4.942
-
Gear Ratio 2nd
2.686
-
Gear Ratio 3rd
1.527
-
Gear Ratio 4th
1.000
-
Gear Ratio 5th
0.749
-
Gear Ratio 6th
0.634
-
Gear Ratio Reverse
4.597
-
Gearbox Type
Manual
Automatic
Low Range
Available where 4WD low range is fitted
Available where 4WD low range is fitted
Axle Layout
4WD / AWD
4WD / AWD
Rear Differential Lock
Standard
Not Applicable
Transfer Case Guard
Standard
-
Transmission Speeds
6 km/h
10 km/h
Spec
D-Max Single Cab
Ranger XL
Claimed Mileage
14.1 km/l
13.5 km/l
City Mileage
11.6 km/l
11.1 km/l
Highway Mileage
16.4 km/l
15.7 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
76 l
80 l
Emission Standard
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Average Fuel Consumption
7.1 l/100km
7.4 l/100km
Claimed Fuel Consumption
7.1 l/100km
7.4 l/100km
Fuel Efficiency
7.1 l/100km
7.4 l/100km
Real-world Mileage
14.1 km/l
13.5 km/l
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Time AC Full
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Time DC Fast 80pct
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Consumption
7.1 l/100km
7.4 l/100km
Combined Consumption L 100km
7.1 l/100km
7.4 l/100km
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Economy Combined
7.1 l/100km
7.4 l/100km
Fuel Tank Litres
76 l
80 l
Fuel Type
Diesel
Diesel
Low Range Ratio
2.482
Not Applicable
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Wltp
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
D-Max Single Cab
Ranger XL
Airbags
Passenger
Dual front, front side, curtain and driver knee
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Dynamic Stability Control
Traction Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Standard
Confirmed 4WD derivative
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Not Available
Child-seat support
ISOFIX Mounts
Not Available
Standard
Brake Assist
Standard
Not Available
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Not Available
Not Available
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Alarm System
Standard
Perimeter alarm
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Not Available
All positions
Front Parking Sensors
Not Available
Standard
AEB
Not Available
Not Available
BA
Standard
Not Available
Brake Override System
Not Available
Not Available
Curtain Airbags
Not Available
Standard
Driver Airbag
Passenger
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Passenger
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Not Available
Not Available
Side Airbags
Not Available
Standard
TCS
Standard
Standard
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Driver knee
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Anti Theft Alarm
Standard
Perimeter alarm
Driver Front Passenger Airbags
Passenger
-
Driver Passenger Airbags
Passenger
-
ESC With Traction Control
Standard
-
Front Side Airbags
Standard
-
Central Locking
-
Power door dead locks
Height Adjustable Seatbelts
-
Standard
Spec
D-Max Single Cab
Ranger XL
Cruise Control
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Not Available
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Not Available
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Available
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Not Available
Front and rear
Rear View Camera
Not Available
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Not Available
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Available
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Available
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Not Available
Not Available
Auto Lights
Halogen
-
Auto Wipers
Not Available
Not Available
Drive Modes
Not Available
Not Available
EV Mode
Not Available
Not Available
Rear Parking Sensors
Not Available
Standard
Reverse Camera
Not Available
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Not Available
Park Assist
Not Available
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Not Available
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Not Available
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
Not Available
Not Available
Rear View Camera
-
Standard
Reversing Camera
-
Standard
Spec
D-Max Single Cab
Ranger XL
Seat Material
Cloth
Cloth
Heated Seats
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Ventilated Seats
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Steering Type
Hydraulic
-
Ambient Lighting
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Steering Wheel Material
Urethane
Not Applicable
Interior Colour Options
3
3
60 40 Split Seat
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Driver Seat Adjustment
Not Applicable
Manual
Fabric Seats
Cloth
Cloth
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Not Applicable
Manual
Interior Courtesy Lamps
Cabin trim, seating material, screen layout and driver-assistance equipment vary by derivative. Compare the chosen D-Max Single Cab grade before assuming a feature is included.
Cabin trim, seating material, screen layout and driver-assistance equipment vary by derivative. Compare the chosen Ranger XL grade before assuming a feature is included.
Very close match. Final decision depends on buyer preference.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Overall Winner
Ranger XL
Performance
69/100
Efficiency
57/100
Safety
56/100
Practicality
87/100
Ownership
54/100
D-Max Single Cab
Performance
62/100
Efficiency
56/100
Safety
56/100
Practicality
64/100
Ownership
48/100
So, Which One Should You Buy?
🏆Ford Ranger XL
wins with 66 pts
vs 58 pts for D-Max Single Cab
In structured scoring, Ranger XL emerges as the stronger overall package. However, D-Max Single 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.
On our scoring the Ranger XL 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 Ranger XL 57. 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, Ranger XL 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 Single Cab 48, Ranger XL 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 Single Cab 64, Ranger XL 87. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.
Performance scores: D-Max Single Cab 62, Ranger XL 69. 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 XL edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.
The Ranger XL 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 Ranger XL in South Africa
evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.
Performance: D-Max Single Cab scores 62 vs 69.
Efficiency: D-Max Single Cab scores 56 vs 57.
Safety: D-Max Single Cab scores 56 vs 56.
Practicality: D-Max Single Cab scores 64 vs 87.
Ownership: D-Max Single Cab scores 48 vs 54.
Final structured scoring gives Ranger XL
the advantage in this comparison.
Compare
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