Isuzu D-Max X-Rider vs GWM Steed 5

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 X-Rider in South Africa

Isuzu D-Max X-Rider

1.9 DDi Double Cab X-Rider 4x2 AT Diesel Automatic
ZAR 690,810 ex-showroom
⚡ 110 kW 🔧 350 @ 1800-2600 Nm ⛽ 13.5 km/l
VS
GWM Steed 5 in South Africa

GWM Steed 5

2.0VGT Single Cab S 2WD 6MT Diesel Manual
ZAR 307,950 ex-showroom
⚡ 110 kW 🔧 320 Nm ⛽ Not Applicable km/l
Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

Performance D-Max X-Rider
Fuel Economy Steed 5
🛡 Safety D-Max X-Rider
📦 Practicality D-Max X-Rider
🔑 Ownership Steed 5
Steed 5 starts ZAR 668990 cheaper D-Max X-Rider from ZAR 668,990 · Steed 5 from ZAR 307,950

Key Specs Side by Side

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

Spec D-Max X-Rider Steed 5
Engine Power 110 @ 3600 110
Torque 350 @ 1800-2600 320
Engine Size 1900 Not Applicable
Claimed Mileage 13.5 Not Applicable
Ground Clearance 227 194 mm
Boot Space Not Applicable Not Applicable
Airbags Not Available 2 front airbags
Kerb Weight 1845 Not Applicable
Seating Capacity 5 2
Warranty 5 years / 120 000 km 5

= leads in this spec

The Bottom Line

Both D-Max X-Rider and Steed 5 are extremely closely matched, making the final choice dependent on buyer preference.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance D-Max X-Rider +2 pts
Efficiency Steed 5 +12 pts
Safety D-Max X-Rider +10 pts
Practicality D-Max X-Rider +29 pts
Ownership Steed 5 +17 pts

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

🏆 Overall Winner

D-Max X-Rider

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

Steed 5

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

Which One's Right for You?

D-Max X-Rider

  • Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
  • Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
  • Large families needing more practicality and usability

Steed 5

  • Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
  • Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec D-Max X-Rider Steed 5
Model Introduced Year Current local generation year not confirmed Current local generation year not confirmed
Generation Current South African D-Max X-Rider listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data. Current South African Steed 5 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 Double 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 Top grade in the South Africa lineup Base grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 1.9 DDi Double Cab X-Rider 4x2 AT Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 2.0VGT Single Cab S 2WD 6MT
Model Year MY26 2026
Production Status published published
Segment Pickup Pickup
Vehicle Type Pickup Pickup
Spec D-Max X-Rider Steed 5
Ground Clearance 227 mm 194 mm
Wheelbase 3125 mm 3050 mm
Length 5265 mm 5095 mm
Width 1870 mm 1800 mm
Height 1805 mm 1730 mm
Kerb Weight 1845 kg Not Applicable
Gross Vehicle Weight 3000 kg Not Applicable
Seating Capacity 5 2
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 1495 mm Not Applicable
Load Bed Width 1530 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 4 2
Max Payload 1095 kg Not Applicable
Boot Volume Not Applicable Not Applicable
Doors 4 2
Seats 5 2
Fuel Tank Capacity 76 l Not Applicable
Gross Combined Mass Kg 5000 kg -
Gross Vehicle Mass Kg 3000 kg Not Applicable
Ground Clearance Max 227 mm 194 mm
Ground Clearance Min 227 mm 194 mm
Ground Clearance Mm 227 mm 194 mm
Height Mm 1805 mm 1730 mm
Length Mm 5265 mm 5095 mm
Loadbox Length Mm 1495 mm Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm 1530 mm Not Applicable
Payload Kg 1095 kg Not Applicable
Cargo Volume Not Applicable Not Applicable
Rear Overhang Mm 1250 mm -
Tare Mass Kg 1845 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 1800 mm

Overall Verdict Score

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

Weighted / 100
Verdict readout

D-Max X-Rider leads by 4 points

Both D-Max X-Rider and Steed 5 are extremely closely matched, making the final choice dependent on buyer preference.

Winner 53 /100
Lead 4 points
Data 79% confidence
53
#1 Winner

D-Max X-Rider

79% data confidence 1 strong categories
Best at Practicality 77 Check Safety 28
Performance 57
Efficiency 53
Safety 28
Practicality 77
Ownership 48
Leads by 4 points
49
#2

Steed 5

67% data confidence 0 strong categories
Best at Efficiency 65 Check Safety 18
Performance 55
Efficiency 65
Safety 18
Practicality 48
Ownership 65
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance D-Max X-Rider +2 Efficiency Steed 5 +12 Safety D-Max X-Rider +10 Practicality D-Max X-Rider +29 Ownership Steed 5 +17

Very close match. Final decision depends on buyer preference.

Why this score View full breakdown
Overall Winner

D-Max X-Rider

Performance 57/100
Efficiency 53/100
Safety 28/100
Practicality 77/100
Ownership 48/100

Steed 5

Performance 55/100
Efficiency 65/100
Safety 18/100
Practicality 48/100
Ownership 65/100

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 Isuzu D-Max X-Rider wins with 53 pts vs 49 pts for Steed 5

In structured scoring, D-Max X-Rider emerges as the stronger overall package. However, Steed 5 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 X-Rider 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 X-Rider 53 vs Steed 5 65. 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 X-Rider 28, Steed 5 18. 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 X-Rider 48, Steed 5 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 X-Rider 77, Steed 5 48. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: D-Max X-Rider 57, Steed 5 55. 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 X-Rider edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.

The D-Max X-Rider 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 X-Rider and Steed 5 in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: D-Max X-Rider scores 57 vs 55.

Efficiency: D-Max X-Rider scores 53 vs 65.

Safety: D-Max X-Rider scores 28 vs 18.

Practicality: D-Max X-Rider scores 77 vs 48.

Ownership: D-Max X-Rider scores 48 vs 65.

Final structured scoring gives D-Max X-Rider the advantage in this comparison.