Source type: MAC Uganda / Isuzu
Isuzu D-Max vs Toyota Hiace/Commuter
A proper head-to-head in Uganda — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
Isuzu D-Max
1.9 Ddi Single Cab HR L 4x2 6MT
Diesel
6-Speed Manual
Current
UGX 145,000,000
ex-showroom
⚡ 110 kW
🔧 350 Nm
⛽ 14.08 km/l
VS
Toyota Hiace/Commuter
Hiace Bus 2.5L 15-Seats MT DLX
Diesel
5-Speed Manual
Current
UGX 189,600,000
ex-showroom
⚡ 75 kW
🔧 260 Nm
⛽ 12.5 km/l
Decision summary
Isuzu D-Max vs Toyota Hiace/Commuter: the short answer
D-Max and Hiace/Commuter are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
D-Max starts UGX 44,600,000 cheaper
D-Max from UGX 145,000,000 · Hiace/Commuter from UGX 189,600,000
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives| Specification | D-Max | Hiace/Commuter |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Power | D-Max110 kW @ 3600 rpm | Hiace/Commuter75 kW @ 3600 rpm |
| Maximum Torque | D-Max350 Nm @ 1800-2600 rpm | Hiace/Commuter260 Nm @ 1600-2400 rpm |
| Engine Size | D-Max1898 cc | Hiace/Commuter2494 cc |
| Combined Fuel Economy | D-Max14.08 km/l | Hiace/Commuter12.5 km/l |
| Ground Clearance | D-Max227 mm | Hiace/Commuter195 mm |
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Source type: Toyota Uganda/CFAO specifications; user-supplied estimates for remaining fields
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
D-Max
Strengths
- More powerful engine output
- Better fuel efficiency
- Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
- Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:
Published Performance
Published Efficiency
Specification evidence leader
Hiace/Commuter
Strengths
- Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
- Less powerful engine setup
- Lower fuel efficiency
- Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:
Published Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
D-Max
- Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
- Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
- Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Hiace/Commuter
- Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
| Spec | D-Max | Hiace/Commuter |
|---|---|---|
| Model Introduced Year | 2022 | 2023 |
| Generation | MAC Uganda Gen 7 catalogue; June 2022 derivative specification sheet | Current Uganda-market Hiace passenger-bus generation |
| Facelift History | Current Uganda-listed generation; 2026 catalogue planning specification | No local facelift confirmed |
| Facelift Launched Since | 2024 | Original current-generation version |
| Facelift Version Ending | Current | Current |
| Body Style | Pickup | Small bus |
| Model Year | 2026 | 2026 |
| Production Status | active | active |
| Segment | Light commercial pickup | Passenger transport minibus |
| Vehicle Type | Pickup | Passenger minibus |
| Spec | D-Max | Hiace/Commuter |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 5325 mm | 4700 mm |
| Width | 1870 mm | 1780 mm |
| Height | 1780 mm | 1980 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3125 mm | 2570 mm |
| Ground Clearance (Default) | 227 mm | 195 mm |
| Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) | 195 mm | 170 mm |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 76 l | 70 l |
| Boot/Cargo Space | Not Officially Disclosed | 1000 l |
| Kerb Weight | Not Officially Disclosed | 1833.88 kg |
| Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) | 3000 kg | 3050 kg |
| Payload Capacity | 1225 kg | 1110 kg |
| Towing Capacity | 2100 kg | 750 kg |
| Seating Capacity | 2 seats | 15 seats |
| Number of Rows | Not Officially Disclosed | Not Officially Disclosed |
| Doors | 2 doors | 4 doors |
| Minimum Turning Radius | 6.25 m | 5 m |
| Front Headroom | 1005 mm | Not Officially Disclosed |
| Rear Headroom | Not Applicable | Not Officially Disclosed |
| Front Legroom | 1050 mm | Not Officially Disclosed |
| Rear Legroom | Not Applicable | Not Officially Disclosed |
In depth: how these cars differ
This D-Max and Hiace/Commuter comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for Uganda. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: D-Max 48 vs Hiace/Commuter 43.
Efficiency index: D-Max 56 vs Hiace/Commuter 54.
Safety-equipment index: D-Max 50 vs Hiace/Commuter 44.
Practicality index: D-Max 64 vs Hiace/Commuter 81.
Ownership-cover index: D-Max not separately scored vs Hiace/Commuter 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
D-Max and Hiace/Commuter image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
Isuzu D-Max
View 8 more D-Max images
Toyota Hiace/Commuter
View 8 more Hiace/Commuter images
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-index readout
Hiace/Commuter leads by 1 points
D-Max and Hiace/Commuter are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Evidence leader
55
/100
Lead
1
points
Data
74%
source coverage
55
#1
Evidence leader
Hiace/Commuter
Performance
43
Efficiency
54
Safety
44
Practicality
81
Leads by 1 points
54
#2
D-Max
Performance
48
Efficiency
56
Safety
50
Practicality
64
Performance 24%
Safety 22%
Practicality 22%
Efficiency 17%
Ownership 15%
Category leaders
What moves the verdict
Performance
D-Max +5
Efficiency
D-Max +2
Safety
D-Max +6
Practicality
Hiace/Commuter +17
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
Hiace/Commuter
Performance
43/100
Efficiency
54/100
Safety
44/100
Practicality
81/100
D-Max
Performance
48/100
Efficiency
56/100
Safety
50/100
Practicality
64/100
What the evidence means
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Hiace/Commuter leads. However, D-Max may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in Uganda.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related Uganda models and comparable body styles.
D-Max vs Hiace/Commuter questions
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in Uganda 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.