JAC T8 Double Cab vs Foton Truckmate

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.

JAC T8 Double Cab in South Africa

JAC T8 Double Cab

T8 2.0L CTi Super Lux 4x2 Diesel 6-Speed Manual Current
ZAR 434,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 104 kW 🔧 320 Nm ⛽ 15.38 km/l
VS
Foton Truckmate in South Africa

Foton Truckmate

Box Body Petrol 5-Speed Manual Current
ZAR 239,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 82 kW 🔧 142 Nm ⛽ 12.66 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

JAC T8 Double Cab vs Foton Truckmate: the short answer

Compare the available model information below. Hagalu has withheld a ranked verdict because the selected vehicles do not yet meet the minimum like-for-like source-coverage threshold.

Truckmate starts ZAR 150,000 cheaper T8 Double Cab from ZAR 349,900 · Truckmate from ZAR 199,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification T8 Double Cab Truckmate
Maximum Power T8 Double Cab104 kW @ 3600 rpm Truckmate82 kW
Maximum Torque T8 Double Cab320 Nm Truckmate142 Nm
Engine Size T8 Double Cab1999 cc Truckmate1500 cc
Combined Fuel Economy T8 Double Cab15.38 km/l Truckmate12.66 km/l
Ground Clearance T8 Double Cab220 mm TruckmateNot Officially Disclosed

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.

JAC T8 Double Cab

T8 2.0L CTi Super Lux 4x2

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

Foton Truckmate

Box Body

Hagalu editorial rating
3.6/5

Desk research · Exact variant

Hagalu Editorial Team ·

Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.

Read the review and score breakdown

Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec T8 Double Cab Truckmate
Model Introduced Year 2026 2025
Generation Current South African T8 Double Cab range verified on 7 September 2026 Compact single-row cab platform with a 2,400 mm wheelbase and dropside or box-body factory configurations.
Facelift History No later South African facelift was identified in the current official model and brochure material Current South African Truckmate range, with no separate facelift identified.
Facelift Launched Since Not Applicable Not Applicable
Facelift Version Ending Not Applicable Not Applicable
Body Style Double-cab bakkie Light truck
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active active
Segment Double-cab bakkie Compact business truck
Vehicle Type Double-cab pickup Light commercial vehicle
Spec T8 Double Cab Truckmate
Length 5325 mm 4735 mm
Width 1880 mm 1695 mm
Height 1830 mm 2420 mm
Wheelbase 3090 mm 2400 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 220 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) Not Officially Disclosed Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity Not Officially Disclosed Not Officially Disclosed
Boot/Cargo Space Not Officially Disclosed Not Officially Disclosed
Kerb Weight Not Officially Disclosed 1310 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2755 kg Not Officially Disclosed
Payload Capacity 900 kg 1100 kg
Towing Capacity Not Officially Disclosed Not Officially Disclosed
Seating Capacity Not Officially Disclosed 2 seats
Number of Rows Not Officially Disclosed 1 rows
Doors Not Officially Disclosed 2 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 6.2 m Not Officially Disclosed
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

In depth: how these cars differ

This T8 Double Cab and Truckmate comparison brings together local model information and available derivatives for South Africa. Prices and specifications appear only where they have been recorded for this market.

Hagalu has withheld an overall score because at least one selected vehicle does not yet have four comparable categories and 50% weighted source coverage. Missing catalogue evidence is not replaced with a neutral score or a guessed value.

Use the key-spec and full-spec tables to compare the fields that are confirmed. For a purchase decision, verify current availability, exact derivative equipment, finance, insurance and ownership cover with the relevant manufacturer or authorised retailer.

Specification Score Withheld

Hagalu does not turn missing specifications into neutral scores or guessed values.

Fail closed

Score withheld: fewer than four comparable categories or less than 50% weighted source coverage for at least one vehicle.

Use the verified key-spec and full-spec tables on this page. A ranked index will appear only after every selected vehicle has source-backed data in at least four categories and reaches 50% weighted coverage.

What the evidence means

No overall winner is declared because the selected vehicles do not yet meet Hagalu's minimum like-for-like source-coverage threshold. Compare the confirmed rows and verify the exact derivative before buying.

Related comparisons

Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.

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Truckmate vs T60 Utility Single Cab →
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Truckmate vs T6 Single Cab →

T8 Double Cab vs Truckmate 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.