Isuzu’s seventh-generation D-Max, previously known as the KB, has been launched in South Africa with the double cab models starting at R498,900.
If you want the maxed-out, top-of-the-line V-Cross specification, prepare to pay a minimum of R814,700.
While the starting price of the double cab Isuzu might be higher than that of the other local favourites – such as the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux – its most expensive model still comes in far below that of the equivalent Ford and Toyota.
The D-Max is therefore in a perfect position to field buyers away from other manufacturers – at least for the next few months – as it launched its new-generation bakkie in South Africa before the rest.
D-Max specifications
The new Isuzu D-Max Double Cab is sold in L, LS, LSE, and V-Cross trim levels, with two turbo-diesel motors fitted throughout the range.
The L and LS are somewhat barebones, providing equipment such as a multifunction steering wheel, electric windows, a 4.2-inch driver’s display, dual front airbags – and in the LS, also a 7-inch infotainment system.
Over and above this, the LSE and V-Cross see a vast array of additional niceties including a larger 9-inch display, keyless entry and start, automatic LED lights, dual-zone climate control, and parking sensors.
On the range-topper, Isuzu’s Advanced Driver Assist System is also standard.
Powering the bakkies is then a 1.9-litre or 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine.
The units mate with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, and can be had in both 4×2 and 4×4 guise.
The smaller motor puts out 110kW and 350Nm, supports a maximum braked towing capacity of 3,100kg, and carries a maximum payload of 1,000kg.
This is compared to the larger engine’s 140kW and 450Nm, 3,500kg, and 1,200kg.
The bakkies
We chose an entry-level, mid-range, and top-of-the-line Isuzu D-Max to see what’s on offer in South Africa for roughly the same price.
Click on the underlined prices to visit TopAuto Car Prices, where you can browse all the new vehicles on the local market.
Unofficial specifications are marked with *
Entry-level
Mitsubishi Triton 2.4DI-D Double Cab GL – R480,995
| Specification | Triton 2.4DI-D Double Cab Auto |
|---|---|
| Power | 100kW |
| Torque | 324Nm |
| Maximum payload | 1,000kg |
| Maximum braked towing capacity | 1,400kg |
| Ground clearance | 220mm |
| Maximum water wading depth | 500mm* |
Ford Ranger 2.2TDCi Double Cab Hi-Rider XL Sport – R497,630
| Specification | Ranger 2.2TDCi Double Cab Hi-Rider XL Sport |
|---|---|
| Power | 118kW |
| Torque | 385Nm |
| Maximum payload | 1,043kg |
| Maximum braked towing capacity | 3,500kg |
| Ground clearance | 237mm |
| Maximum water wading depth | 800mm |
Isuzu D-Max 1.9Ddi Double Cab HR L – R498,900
| Specification | D-Max 1.9Ddi Double Cab HR L |
|---|---|
| Power | 110kW |
| Torque | 350Nm |
| Maximum payload | 1,000kg |
| Maximum braked towing capacity | 3,100kg |
| Ground clearance | 235mm |
| Maximum water wading depth | 800mm |
GWM P-Series 2.0TD Double Cab DLX 4×4 Auto – R500,900
| Specification | P-Series 2.0TD Double Cab DLX 4×4 Auto |
|---|---|
| Power | 120kW |
| Torque | 400Nm |
| Maximum payload | 650kg |
| Maximum braked towing capacity | 2,250kg |
| Ground clearance | 232mm |
| Maximum water wading depth | 700mm* |
Nissan Navara 2.5DDTi Double Cab SE – R509,500
| Specification | Navara 2.5DDTi Double Cab SE |
|---|---|
| Power | 120kW |
| Torque | 403Nm |
| Maximum payload | 1,064kg |
| Maximum braked towing capacity | 3,500kg |
| Ground clearance | 221mm |
| Maximum water wading depth | 450mm |
Toyota Hilux 2.4GD-6 Double Cab SR – R518,800
| Specification | Hilux 2.4GD-6 Double Cab SR |
|---|---|
| Power | 110kW |
| Torque | 400Nm |
| Maximum payload | 875kg |
| Maximum braked towing capacity | 2,750kg |
| Ground clearance | 216mm* |
| Maximum water wading depth | 700mm* |
Mid-range (1.9-litre)
Ford Ranger 2.2TDCi Double Cab 4×4 XLS Auto – R614,800
| Specification | Ranger 2.2TDCi Double Cab 4×4 XLS Auto |
|---|---|
| Power | 118kW |
| Torque | 385Nm |
| Maximum payload | 900kg |
| Maximum braked towing capacity | 3,500kg |
| Ground clearance | 237mm |
| Maximum water wading depth | 800mm |
Mitsubishi Triton 2.4DI-D Double Cab Auto – R615,995
| Specification | Triton 2.4DI-D Double Cab Auto |
|---|---|
| Power | 133kW |
| Torque | 430Nm |
| Maximum payload | 1,015kg |
| Maximum braked towing capacity | 3,100kg |
| Ground clearance | 220mm |
| Maximum water wading depth | 500mm* |
Mazda BT-50 1.9TD Double Cab Active – R621,100
| Specification | BT-50 1.9TD Double Cab Active |
|---|---|
| Power | 110kW |
| Torque | 350Nm |
| Maximum payload | 1,000kg* |
| Maximum braked towing capacity | 2,100kg |
| Ground clearance | 235mm |
| Maximum water wading depth | 800mm |
Isuzu D-Max 1.9Ddi Double Cab 4×4 LS Auto – R629,300
| Specification | D-Max 1.9Ddi Double Cab 4×4 LS Auto |
|---|---|
| Power | 110kW |
| Torque | 350Nm |
| Maximum payload | 1,000kg |
| Maximum braked towing capacity | 3,100kg |
| Ground clearance | 235mm |
| Maximum water wading depth | 800mm |
Nissan Navara 2.5DDTi Double Cab SE Plus 4×4 – R629,900
| Specification | Navara 2.5DDTi Double Cab SE Plus 4×4 |
|---|---|
| Power | 120kW |
| Torque | 403Nm |
| Maximum payload | 981kg |
| Maximum braked towing capacity | 3,500kg |
| Ground clearance | 221mm |
| Maximum water wading depth | 450mm |
Toyota Hilux 2.4GD-6 Double Cab 4×4 Raider – R636,000
| Specification | Hilux 2.4GD-6 Double Cab 4×4 Raider |
|---|---|
| Power | 110kW |
| Torque | 400Nm |
| Maximum payload | 830kg |
| Maximum braked towing capacity | 3,500kg |
| Ground clearance | 286mm |
| Maximum water wading depth | 700mm* |
Mid-range (3.0-litre)
Nissan Navara 2.5DDTi Double Cab LE 4×4 – R715,500
| Specification | Navara 2.5DDTi Double Cab LE 4×4 |
|---|---|
| Power | 140kW |
| Torque | 450Nm |
| Maximum payload | 1,008kg |
| Maximum braked towing capacity | 3,500kg |
| Ground clearance | 221mm |
| Maximum water wading depth | 450mm |
Isuzu D-Max 3.0Ddi Double Cab HR LSE Auto – R716,400
| Specification | D-Max 3.0Ddi Double Cab HR LSE Auto |
|---|---|
| Power | 140kW |
| Torque | 450Nm |
| Maximum payload | 1,200kg |
| Maximum braked towing capacity | 3,500kg |
| Ground clearance | 235mm |
| Maximum water wading depth | 800mm |
Ford Ranger 2.0SiT Double Cab 4×4 XLT FX4 – R718,800
| Specification | Ranger 2.0SiT Double Cab 4×4 XLT FX4 |
|---|---|
| Power | 132kW |
| Torque | 420Nm |
| Maximum payload | 1,011kg |
| Maximum braked towing capacity | 3,500kg |
| Ground clearance | 237mm |
| Maximum water wading depth | 800mm |
Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6 Double Cab Legend – R735,100
| Specification | Hilux 2.8GD-6 Double Cab Legend |
|---|---|
| Power | 150kW |
| Torque | 420Nm |
| Maximum payload | 840kg |
| Maximum braked towing capacity | 2,750kg |
| Ground clearance | 286mm |
| Maximum water wading depth | 700mm* |
Top-of-the-line
Nissan Navara 2.5DDTi Double Cab Pro-4x 4×4 – R804,500
| Specification | Navara 2.5DDTi Double Cab Pro-4x 4×4 |
|---|---|
| Power | 140kW |
| Torque | 450Nm |
| Maximum payload | 1,003kg |
| Maximum braked towing capacity | 3,500kg |
| Ground clearance | 221mm |
| Maximum water wading depth | 450mm |
Mazda BT-50 3.0TD Double Cab 4×4 Individual – R806,300
| Specification | BT-50 3.0TD Double Cab 4×4 Individual |
|---|---|
| Power | 140kW |
| Torque | 450Nm |
| Maximum payload | 1,095kg |
| Maximum braked towing capacity | 3,500kg |
| Ground clearance | 240mm |
| Maximum water wading depth | 800mm |
Isuzu D-Max 3.0Ddi Double Cab 4×4 V-Cross Auto – R814,700
| Specification | D-Max 3.0Ddi Double Cab 4×4 V-Cross Auto |
|---|---|
| Power | 140kW |
| Torque | 450Nm |
| Maximum payload | 1,200kg |
| Maximum braked towing capacity | 3,500kg |
| Ground clearance | 235mm |
| Maximum water wading depth | 800mm |
Ford Ranger 2.0Bi-Turbo Double Cab 4×4 Wildtrak – R815,200
| Specification | Ranger 2.0Bi-Turbo Double Cab 4×4 Wildtrak |
|---|---|
| Power | 157kW |
| Torque | 500Nm |
| Maximum payload | 860kg |
| Maximum braked towing capacity | 3,500kg |
| Ground clearance | 237mm |
| Maximum water wading depth | 800mm |
VW Amarok 2.0BiTDI Double Cab Highline 4Motion Auto – R818,100
| Specification | Amarok 2.0biTDI Double Cab Highline 4Motion |
|---|---|
| Power | 132kW |
| Torque | 420Nm |
| Maximum payload | 838kg |
| Maximum braked towing capacity | 3,200kg |
| Ground clearance | 192mm |
| Maximum water wading depth | 500mm |
Toyota Hilux 4.0 V6 Double Cab 4×4 Legend – R824,500
| Specification | Hilux 4.0 V6 Double Cab 4×4 Legend |
|---|---|
| Power | 175kW |
| Torque | 376Nm |
| Maximum payload | 835kg |
| Maximum braked towing capacity | 3,000kg |
| Ground clearance | 286mm |
| Maximum water wading depth | 700mm* |
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