Toyota Hilux Single Cab vs Isuzu MU-X

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.

Toyota Hilux Single Cab in South Africa

Toyota Hilux Single Cab

2.4 GD-6 4X4 RAIDER 6MT Diesel 6-Speed Manual Current
ZAR 636,300 ex-showroom
⚡ 110 kW 🔧 400 Nm ⛽ 13.2 km/l
VS
Isuzu MU-X in South Africa

Isuzu MU-X

3.0 DDi LSE 4x4 AT Diesel 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 973,800 ex-showroom
⚡ 110 kW 🔧 350 Nm ⛽ 13.2 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Toyota Hilux Single Cab vs Isuzu MU-X: the short answer

Hilux Single Cab and MU-X are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Hilux Single Cab starts ZAR 426,200 cheaper Hilux Single Cab from ZAR 326,200 · MU-X from ZAR 752,400

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Hilux Single Cab MU-X
Maximum Power Hilux Single Cab110 kW @ 3400 rpm MU-X110 kW @ 3600 rpm
Maximum Torque Hilux Single Cab400 Nm MU-X350 Nm
Engine Size Hilux Single Cab2393 cc MU-X3000 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Hilux Single Cab13.2 km/l MU-X13.2 km/l
Ground Clearance Hilux Single Cab269 mm MU-X235 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.

Toyota Hilux Single Cab

2.4 GD-6 4X4 RAIDER 6MT

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Isuzu MU-X

3.0 DDi LSE 4x4 AT

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

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)

Hilux Single Cab

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Efficiency
Specification evidence leader

MU-X

Strengths
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to: Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

Hilux Single Cab

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use

MU-X

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Hilux Single Cab MU-X
Model Introduced Year 2020 2013
Generation Eighth-generation Hilux Single Cab in Toyota South Africa's current range Current generation MU-X built on Isuzu D-Max platform
Facelift History Current eighth-generation Toyota South Africa Hilux range Latest updates improved styling and safety tech
Facelift Launched Since 2025 Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending Current South African specification Current
Body Style Pickup 7-seat SUV
Model Year 2026 MY26
Production Status active active
Segment Bakkie SUV
Vehicle Type Pickup SUV
Color Note - White, Black, Silver, Grey, Red
Dealer Stock Note - Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note - Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 3.0 DDi LSE 4x4 AT
Gross Combined Mass Kg - 5900 kg
Tare Mass Kg - 2080 kg
Spec Hilux Single Cab MU-X
Length 5325 mm 4850 mm
Width 1855 mm 1870 mm
Height 1795 mm 1825 mm
Wheelbase 3085 mm 2855 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 269 mm 235 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 185 mm 220 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 80 l 80 l
Boot/Cargo Space 484 l 1119 l
Kerb Weight 2203 kg 2080 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2870 kg 2800 kg
Payload Capacity 850 kg 659 kg
Towing Capacity 3500 kg 3500 kg
Seating Capacity 2 seats 7 seats
Number of Rows 1 rows 3 rows
Doors 2 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 6.4 m 11.4 m
Front Headroom 992 mm 1005 mm
Rear Headroom Not Applicable 975 mm
Front Legroom 1040 mm 1060 mm
Rear Legroom Not Applicable 900 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This Hilux Single Cab and MU-X 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: Hilux Single Cab 67 vs MU-X 63.

Efficiency index: Hilux Single Cab 61 vs MU-X 52.

Safety-equipment index: Hilux Single Cab 93 vs MU-X 93.

Practicality index: Hilux Single Cab 74 vs MU-X 93.

Ownership-cover index: Hilux Single Cab not separately scored vs MU-X 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.

Specification Evidence Index

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

MU-X leads by 2 points

Hilux Single Cab and MU-X are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 76 /100
Lead 2 points
Data 72% source coverage
76
#1 Evidence leader

MU-X

72% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 93 Check Efficiency 52
Performance 63
Efficiency 52
Safety 93
Practicality 93
Leads by 2 points
74
#2

Hilux Single Cab

72% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 93 Check Efficiency 61
Performance 67
Efficiency 61
Safety 93
Practicality 74
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Hilux Single Cab +4 Efficiency Hilux Single Cab +9 Safety Level Practicality MU-X +19

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

MU-X

Performance 63/100
Efficiency 52/100
Safety 93/100
Practicality 93/100

Hilux Single Cab

Performance 67/100
Efficiency 61/100
Safety 93/100
Practicality 74/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Isuzu MU-X leads the specification evidence index with 76 pts vs 74 pts for Hilux Single Cab

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, MU-X leads. However, Hilux Single Cab may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Hilux Single Cab vs MU-X questions

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.