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Pick up to 3 cars to see how they stack up on score, price and specs.
Isuzu D-MaxToyota Hilux
Mandai score
9/10
9/10
Typical price
KSh 4,800,000
KSh 5,500,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2023
Body type
4x4s
4x4s
Fuel
Diesel
Petrol, Diesel
Transmission
Automatic, Manual
Automatic, Manual
Doors
42
42
Most popular trim
D-Max 1.9 Ddi V-Cross / 3.0 V-Cross 4x4
Hilux 2.8 GD-6 4x4 Double Cab / 2.4 GD-6 / Revo Rocco / GR-Sport
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
Dimensions
Length
5,265 mm
5,325 mm
Width
1,870 mm
1,855 mm
Height
1,790 mm
1,815 mm
Wheelbase
3,125 mm
3,085 mm
Ground clearance
235 mm
286 mm
Boot space
1,100 kg load bed payload
1,000+ kg load bed payload
Kerb weight
2,030 kg
2,050 kg
Seats
5
2 or 5
Specifications
Engine
1.9L RZ4E-TC Hi-Power Turbo Diesel
2.8L 1GD-FTV Turbo Diesel / 2.4L 2GD-FTV Turbo Diesel
Power
150 hp @ 3,600 rpm
201 hp (2.8L) / 148 hp (2.4L)
Torque
350 Nm @ 1,800–2,600 rpm
500 Nm (2.8L Facelift) / 400 Nm (2.4L)
Drivetrain
Terrain Command 4WD with Rear Diff Lock
Part-Time 4WD with Rear Differential Lock & Auto LSD
0–100 km/h
10.5 sec
10.0 sec (2.8L) / 12.8 sec (2.4L)
Top speed
180 km/h
175 km/h
Fuel economy
Combined
13.5 km/L (1.9L) / 11.2 km/L (3.0L)
12.2 km/L (2.8L Diesel) / 13.8 km/L (2.4L Diesel)
City
11.0 km/L (1.9L) / 9.5 km/L (3.0L)
10.2 km/L (2.8L Diesel) / 11.5 km/L (2.4L Diesel)
Highway
15.5 km/L (1.9L) / 13.0 km/L (3.0L)
14.5 km/L (2.8L Diesel) / 16.2 km/L (2.4L Diesel)
Tank size
76 L
80 L
CO₂ emissions
191 g/km
212 g/km (2.8L)
At a glance
Model
Isuzu D-Max (RT50 / RG01 Series)
Toyota Hilux (AN120 / AN130 Series)
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2023
Body type
Double Cab / Single Cab Pickup
Double Cab / Single Cab Pickup Truck
Seating capacity
5 (Double Cab) / 2 (Single Cab)
2 or 5
Fuel types
Clean Diesel
Clean Diesel Turbo, Petrol
Engine sizes
1,898 cc (1.9L) / 2,499 cc (2.5L) / 2,999 cc (3.0L)
2,393 cc (2.4L GD-6) / 2,755 cc (2.8L GD-6) / 2,693 cc (2.7L Petrol)
Transmission
6-speed Manual / 6-speed Aisin Automatic
6-Speed Automatic / 6-Speed Manual
Drivetrain
2WD or Terrain Command Part-Time 4WD
Rear-Wheel Drive (2WD) or Part-Time 4WD with Rear Diff Lock
Ground clearance
235 mm
286 mm
Source market
Thailand / Japan / UK (RHD)
Thailand / South Africa / UK (RHD)
Pros and cons
What’s good
- Sub-2,000 cc customs tax advantage: 1.9L RZ4E engine triggers Kenya's 25% excise duty bracket.
- High 235 mm ground clearance: Easily tackles rocky off-road terrain, deep mud tracks, and estate speed bumps.
- Proven commercial durability: Heavy-duty ladder-frame chassis and leaf spring rear suspension built for heavy payloads.
- Bulletproof 4JJ3 / RZ4E engines: Renowned across East Africa for 500,000+ km longevity and widespread spare parts availability.
- Indestructible commercial benchmark: Highest resale retention and universal spare parts availability across East Africa.
- Sub-2,500 cc duty advantage on 2.4L GD-6: Qualifies for KRA's lower 25% excise tax bracket.
- Extreme 286 mm ground clearance: Easily wades 700 mm deep water and tackles severe muddy upcountry tracks.
- 3,500 kg braked towing capacity: Excellent towing capability for heavy commercial trailers and equipment.
What’s not so good
- Firm rear leaf-spring ride: Unladen rear bed transmits stiff vibrations over corrugated gravel roads.
- Utilitarian interior on base trims: Entry-level L and LS grades feature basic hard plastic dashboards.
- Unladen leaf spring rear ride stiffness: Firm rear bounce when driving without cargo payload in the bed.
- High KRA CRSP customs valuation: Heavy import duty investment compared to older utility pickups.