A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
Hyundai EX-8 Dropside vs Changan Hunter Diesel: the short answer
EX-8 Dropside and Hunter Diesel are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Hunter Diesel starts ZAR 206,600 cheaperEX-8 Dropside from ZAR 656,500 · Hunter Diesel from ZAR 449,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
EX-8 Dropside
Hunter Diesel
Maximum Power
EX-8 Dropside103 kW @ 2800 rpm
Hunter Diesel110 kW
Maximum Torque
EX-8 Dropside373 Nm
Hunter Diesel350 Nm
Engine Size
EX-8 Dropside3907 cc
Hunter Diesel2000 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
EX-8 Dropside5.2 km/l
Hunter Diesel10.99 km/l
Ground Clearance
EX-8 Dropside200 mm
Hunter Diesel226 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
Hyundai EX-8 Dropside
3.9D Dropside 5MT
Hagalu editorial ratingNot yet rated
No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
EX-8 Dropside
Strengths
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:General Use
Specification evidence leader
Hunter Diesel
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished EfficiencyPublished Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
EX-8 Dropside
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Hunter Diesel
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
EX-8 Dropside
Hunter Diesel
Model Introduced Year
Current local generation year not confirmed
2025
Generation
Current South African EX-8 Dropside listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data.
Current South African Hunter double-cab diesel generation with one 2WD manual and one 4WD automatic derivative.
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.
No South African facelift has been announced for the current Hunter Diesel range.
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
Not Applicable
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Not Applicable
Body Style
Dropside truck
Double-cab pickup
Color Note
Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering.
-
Dealer Stock Note
Mid grade in the South Africa lineup
-
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
active
Segment
Van
Double-cab bakkie
Tare Mass Kg
2650 kg
-
Vehicle Type
Van
Light commercial vehicle
Spec
EX-8 Dropside
Hunter Diesel
Length
6620 mm
5330 mm
Width
2100 mm
1930 mm
Height
2355 mm
1875 mm
Wheelbase
3850 mm
3180 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
200 mm
226 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity
100 l
80 l
Kerb Weight
2650 kg
2060 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
7800 kg
3080 kg
Payload Capacity
5150 kg
Not Officially Disclosed
Towing Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Seating Capacity
3 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
2 doors
4 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
Not Officially Disclosed
13 m
Front Headroom
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Headroom
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Legroom
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Legroom
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Boot/Cargo Space
-
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
EX-8 Dropside
Hunter Diesel
Front Track Width
Not Applicable
-
Rear Track Width
Not Applicable
-
Front Suspension
Not Available
Double-wishbone independent
Rear Suspension
Not Available
Leaf spring
MagneRide Damping
Not Available
-
Spec
EX-8 Dropside
Hunter Diesel
Load Bed Length
Not Applicable
-
Load Bed Width
Not Applicable
-
Climate Control
Not Available
Manual climate control
Power Windows
Not Available
All windows; driver one-touch and anti-pinch
Keyless Entry
Not Available
Yes
Push Button Start
Not Available
Yes
Wireless Charging
Wireless
Not Officially Disclosed
Sunroof
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Rain Sensing Wipers
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Boot Space Seats Folded
Not Applicable
-
AC Type
Not Available
Manual climate control
Adaptive Dampers
Not Available
-
Engine Warranty
4
-
Hill Start Assist
Standard
-
Performance Data Logger
Not Available
-
Rev Matching
Not Available
-
Battery Preconditioning
Not Available
-
Bed Extender
Not Available
-
Canopy Fitment
Not Available
-
Diff Lock
Not Available
-
Difflock
Not Available
-
Front Diff Lock
Not Available
-
Intelligent Battery System
Not Available
-
Load Bed Cover
Not Available
-
Load Bed Light
Not Available
-
Load Bed Steps
Not Available
-
Loadbox Depth Mm
Not Available
-
Loadbox Length Mm
Not Applicable
-
Loadbox Rope Hooks
Not Available
-
Loadbox Tiedown Brackets
Not Available
-
Loadbox Width Mm
Not Applicable
-
One Pedal Driving
Not Available
-
Rear Diff Lock
Not Available
-
Rear Electric Motor
Not Available
-
Regenerative Braking Levels
Not Available
-
Source Model Column
ex-8-dropside
-
Sport Plus Mode
Not Available
-
Sports Bar
Not Available
-
Tailgate Damper
Not Available
-
Tailgate Lock
Not Available
-
Tow Bar Type
Not Available
-
Trim Level
mid
-
Variant Role
Core range derivative
-
Vehicle To Grid
Not Available
-
Vehicle To Load
Not Available
-
Spec
EX-8 Dropside
Hunter Diesel
Engine
3.9-litre Turbocharged Diesel
2.0-litre Turbocharged Diesel
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
D20TCID
Fuel Type
Diesel
Diesel
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
3907 cc
2000 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Compression Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
103 kW @ 2800 rpm
110 kW
Maximum Torque
373 Nm
350 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Drive Type
RWD
4WD
Transmission
Not Officially Disclosed
6-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
0-100 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
38.9 kW/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
140.8 Nm/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
EX-8 Dropside
Hunter Diesel
Gearbox
Manual
6-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain Layout
Rear-wheel drive
Front-engine, four-wheel drive
LSD Available
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Yes
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Rear
Paddle Shifters
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Final Drive Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Gears
5
6
Transmission Type
Manual
Automatic
Clutch Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Gear Shift Type
Manual
Automatic
Drivetrain
Rear-wheel drive
4WD
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Differential Type Front
Not Available
-
Differential Type Rear
Not Available
-
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Gearbox Type
Manual
Torque-Converter Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Axle Layout
4x2
4x4
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Yes
Transfer Case Guard
Not Available
-
Transmission Speeds
5
6
Spec
EX-8 Dropside
Hunter Diesel
Claimed Mileage
5.2 km/l
10.99 km/l
City Mileage
4.2 km/l
Not Officially Disclosed
Highway Mileage
6.1 km/l
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity
100 l
80 l
Emission Standard
Not Applicable
Euro 4
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Real-world Mileage
5.2 km/l
10.99 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Litres
100
80
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Range Real World Highway
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Range Real World Mixed
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
EX-8 Dropside
Hunter Diesel
Airbags
Airbags not listed in official Hyundai EX8 brochure
6
ABS
Standard
Yes
Electronic Stability Control
Not Available
Yes
Traction Control
Standard
Yes
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
Yes
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Yes
Child Safety Lock
Not Available
Yes
ISOFIX Mounts
Not Available
Yes
Brake Assist
Not Available
Yes
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Not Available
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Not Available
All seating rows
Front Parking Sensors
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
AEB
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
BA
Not Available
Yes
Brake Override System
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Curtain Airbags
Not Available
Yes
Driver Airbag
Not Available
Yes
EBD
Standard
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Not Available
Yes
Hill Hold
Standard
Yes
Passenger Airbag
Not Available
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Seatbelt Reminder
Not Available
All seating rows
Side Airbags
Not Available
Yes
Stability Control
Not Available
Yes
TCS
Standard
Yes
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
ABS EBD
Standard
Yes
Spec
EX-8 Dropside
Hunter Diesel
Cruise Control
Standard
Cruise Control
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Lane Keep Assist
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Lane Departure Warning
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Rear (2 sensors)
Rear View Camera
Not Available
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Auto Highbeam
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Auto Wipers
Not Available
Yes
EV Mode
Not Available
-
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Yes
Reverse Camera
Not Available
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Park Assist
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Around View Monitor
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Blind Spot Warning
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Forward Collision Warning
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
EX-8 Dropside
Hunter Diesel
Seat Material
Cloth
Leather
Heated Seats
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Ventilated Seats
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Ambient Lighting
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Shoulder Room
Not Applicable
-
Rear Shoulder Room
Not Applicable
-
Steering Wheel Material
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Instrument Cluster Type
Digital instrument cluster
-
Interior Colour Options
3
-
60 40 Split Seat
Not Applicable
Yes
Driver Seat Adjustment
Not Applicable
6-way electric with lumbar support
Fabric Seats
Cloth
-
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Not Applicable
4-way electric
Interior Courtesy Lamps
Cabin trim, seating material, screen layout and driver-assistance equipment vary by derivative. Compare the chosen EX-8 Dropside grade before assuming a feature is included.
-
Interior Colours
3
-
Seat Trim
Cloth
Leather
Spec
EX-8 Dropside
Hunter Diesel
Infotainment System
SYNC
10-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Android Auto
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Yes
Number of Speakers
Not Available
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
Digital instrument cluster
4.2-inch driver information display
USB Ports
Not Available
3
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Wireless Android Auto
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Infotainment Screen Size
SYNC
10-inch
Infotainment Screen
SYNC
10-inch
Multi Information Display
Digital display
-
Connected Services
SYNC
-
Smartphone Connectivity
Bluetooth
-
Touchscreen
SYNC
10-inch
Spec
EX-8 Dropside
Hunter Diesel
LED Headlamps
Halogen
Not Available
Daytime Running Lamps
Not Available
LED
Fog Lamps
Not Available
Front
Roof Rails
Not Available
Yes
Exterior Colour Options
3
Electric Blue, Red, Stellar White, Lunar Silver, Metallic Grey
Body Type
Van
-
Led Headlights
Halogen
Not Available
Exterior Colour Options
3
-
Headlamps
Halogen
Not Available
Headlight Type
Halogen
Not Available
Headlights
Halogen
Not Available
Load Bed Liner
Not Available
-
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Active Exhaust
Not Available
-
Spec
EX-8 Dropside
Hunter Diesel
Approach Angle
Not Available
28 deg
Departure Angle
Not Available
27 deg
Wading Depth
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Terrain Modes
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Rear
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
4WD
Breakover Angle
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Energy Recovery Display
Not Available
-
Front Skid Plate Guard
Not Available
-
Ground Clearance Max
200 mm
-
Ground Clearance Min
200 mm
-
Off Road Descent Control
Not Available
-
Off Road Traction Assist
Not Available
-
Crawl Control
Not Available
-
Rear Skid Plate Guard
Not Available
-
Skid Plates Fuel Tank
Not Available
-
Skid Plates Transfer Case
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Mud
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Normal
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Rock
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Sand
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Snow
Not Available
-
Terrain Response System
Not Available
-
Underbody Camera
Not Available
-
Spec
EX-8 Dropside
Hunter Diesel
Tyre Size
Not Available
265/60 R18
Front Brake Type
Not Available
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Not Available
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Not Available
Full-size aluminium-alloy wheel
Wheel Rim Size
Not Available
18-inch aluminium-alloy wheels
Fifth Wheel Prep
Not Available
-
Handbrake Type
Not Applicable
Mechanical parking brake
Spec
EX-8 Dropside
Hunter Diesel
Service Interval
15000 km / 12 months
-
Battery Warranty
4
-
Maintenance Plan
3 Years / 45000 km
-
Engine Oil Change Interval
15000 km / 12 months
-
First Service At
15000
-
Service Plan Duration
3 Years / 45000 km
5 years / 90,000 km
Service Plan Distance
3 Years / 45000 km
5 years / 90,000 km
Alternator
120A
-
Service Plan
3 Years / 45000 km
5 years / 90,000 km
Service Intervals
15000 km / 12 months
-
Accessory Battery Type
Lead-acid
-
Spec
EX-8 Dropside
Hunter Diesel
Warranty Years
5
5 years / 150,000 km
Warranty Kilometers
5
5 years / 150,000 km
Roadside Assistance
5 Years
-
Anti-Corrosion Warranty
5 Years
-
Basic Warranty
5
5 years / 150,000 km
Roadside Assistance
5 Years
-
Warranty
5
5 years / 150,000 km
Warranty Roadside Assistance
5 Years
-
Spec
EX-8 Dropside
Hunter Diesel
CO2 Emissions
Not Applicable
239 g/km
Hybrid System Type
Not Available
-
Fuel Octane Requirement
Diesel
-
Spec
EX-8 Dropside
Hunter Diesel
Ownership Role
Mid
Current South African derivative
Price Zar
656500 ZAR
569900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current listed price
Current South African retail price
Starting Price
656500
569900
Starting Price Zar
656500
569900
In depth: how these cars differ
This EX-8 Dropside and Hunter Diesel comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: EX-8 Dropside 58 vs Hunter Diesel 62.
Efficiency index: EX-8 Dropside 31 vs Hunter Diesel 45.
Safety-equipment index: EX-8 Dropside 94 vs Hunter Diesel 88.
Practicality index: EX-8 Dropside 67 vs Hunter Diesel 75.
Ownership-cover index: EX-8 Dropside 65 vs Hunter Diesel not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
EX-8 Dropside and Hunter Diesel image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
Hunter Diesel leads by 5 points
EX-8 Dropside and Hunter Diesel are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
Hunter Diesel
Performance
62/100
Efficiency
45/100
Safety
88/100
Practicality
75/100
EX-8 Dropside
Performance
58/100
Efficiency
31/100
Safety
94/100
Practicality
67/100
Ownership
65/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexChangan Hunter Diesel
leads the specification evidence index with 69 pts
vs 64 pts for EX-8 Dropside
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Hunter Diesel leads. However, EX-8 Dropside may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
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