Toyota Hiace GD vs Isuzu mu-X
A proper head-to-head in Uganda — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
Toyota Hiace GD
2.8 GD 15-Seater 6MT
Diesel
6-Speed Manual
Current
UGX 225,000,000
ex-showroom
⛽ 12.5 km/l
VS
Isuzu mu-X
mu-X 1.9L 4x4 6AT
Diesel
6-Speed Automatic
Current
UGX 275,000,000
ex-showroom
⚡ 110 kW
🔧 350 Nm
⛽ 11.8 km/l
Decision summary
Toyota Hiace GD vs Isuzu mu-X: the short answer
mu-X holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Hiace GD.
Hiace GD starts UGX 50,000,000 cheaper
Hiace GD from UGX 225,000,000 · mu-X from UGX 275,000,000
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives| Specification | Hiace GD | mu-X |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Power | Hiace GDNot Officially Disclosed | mu-X110 kW @ 3600 rpm |
| Maximum Torque | Hiace GDNot Officially Disclosed | mu-X350 Nm @ 1800-2600 rpm |
| Engine Size | Hiace GD2755 cc | mu-X1899 cc |
| Combined Fuel Economy | Hiace GD12.5 km/l | mu-X11.8 km/l |
| Ground Clearance | Hiace GD185 mm | mu-X220 mm |
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Source type: MAC Uganda / Isuzu
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Hiace GD
Strengths
- Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
- Less powerful engine setup
- Fewer listed safety features
- Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:
Published Efficiency
Specification evidence leader
mu-X
Strengths
- More powerful engine output
- Stronger listed safety equipment
- Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
- Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to:
Published Performance
Published Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
Hiace GD
- Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
mu-X
- Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
- Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
- Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
| Spec | Hiace GD | mu-X |
|---|---|---|
| Model Introduced Year | 2023 | 2022 |
| Generation | Uganda 2.8-litre GD passenger-van family, distinct from the separately listed 2.5-litre Hiace variants. Public 14-seat and supplied 15-seat identities require separate build matching. | Current Isuzu Uganda-listed generation |
| Facelift History | No local facelift confirmed | Current Uganda-listed generation; 2026 catalogue planning specification |
| Facelift Launched Since | Original current-generation version | 2024 |
| Facelift Version Ending | Current | Current |
| Body Style | Passenger van | SUV |
| Model Year | 2026 | 2026 |
| Production Status | active | active |
| Segment | Light commercial passenger vehicle | Seven-seat body-on-frame SUV |
| Vehicle Type | Minibus | Passenger SUV |
| Spec | Hiace GD | mu-X |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 5915 mm | 4850 mm |
| Width | 1950 mm | 1870 mm |
| Height | 2280 mm | 1790 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3860 mm | 2855 mm |
| Ground Clearance (Default) | 185 mm | 220 mm |
| Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) | 170 mm | 195 mm |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 70 l | 80 l |
| Boot/Cargo Space | 1000 l | 311 l |
| Kerb Weight | 2350 kg | Not Officially Disclosed |
| Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) | 3500 kg | 3100 kg |
| Payload Capacity | 1150 kg | 1000 kg |
| Towing Capacity | 750 kg | 3500 kg |
| Seating Capacity | 15 seats | 7 seats |
| Number of Rows | Not Officially Disclosed | 3 rows |
| Doors | Not Officially Disclosed | 5 doors |
| Minimum Turning Radius | 7.9 m | 6.1 m |
| Front Headroom | Not Officially Disclosed | 1005 mm |
| Rear Headroom | Not Officially Disclosed | 980 mm |
| Front Legroom | Not Officially Disclosed | 1050 mm |
| Rear Legroom | Not Officially Disclosed | 900 mm |
In depth: how these cars differ
This Hiace GD and mu-X 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: Hiace GD 43 vs mu-X 52.
Efficiency index: Hiace GD 54 vs mu-X 47.
Safety-equipment index: Hiace GD 44 vs mu-X 96.
Practicality index: Hiace GD 81 vs mu-X 83.
Ownership-cover index: Hiace GD 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.
Model imagery
Hiace GD and mu-X image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
Toyota Hiace GD
View 8 more Hiace GD images
Isuzu mu-X
View 8 more mu-X 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
mu-X leads by 15 points
mu-X holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Hiace GD.
Evidence leader
70
/100
Lead
15
points
Data
78%
source coverage
70
#1
Evidence leader
mu-X
Performance
52
Efficiency
47
Safety
96
Practicality
83
Leads by 15 points
55
#2
Hiace GD
Performance
43
Efficiency
54
Safety
44
Practicality
81
Performance 24%
Safety 22%
Practicality 22%
Efficiency 17%
Ownership 15%
Category leaders
What moves the verdict
Performance
mu-X +9
Efficiency
Hiace GD +7
Safety
mu-X +52
Practicality
mu-X +2
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
mu-X
Performance
52/100
Efficiency
47/100
Safety
96/100
Practicality
83/100
Hiace GD
Performance
43/100
Efficiency
54/100
Safety
44/100
Practicality
81/100
What the evidence means
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, mu-X leads. However, Hiace GD 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.
Hiace GD vs mu-X 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.