VS
At a Glance
Power
184 kW
140 kW
Torque
600 Nm
450 Nm
Fuel
8.3 l/100km
7.9 l/100km
Towing
3500 Kg
3500 Kg
Engine
2996 cc
2999 cc
Choosing between the Ford Ranger and the Isuzu D-Max is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Ford Ranger delivers 184 kW while the Isuzu D-Max produces 140 kW. On fuel, the Ranger returns 8.3 l/100km while the D-Max uses 7.9 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R995 000 for the Ranger and R785 720 for the D-Max. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
184 kW
140 kW
Torque
600 Nm
450 Nm
Top Speed
—
—
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
2996 cc
2999 cc
Engine Layout
V
inline
Cylinders
6
4
Fuel Type
diesel
diesel
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
10
6
Drive Wheels
all
all
Full Time 4x4
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Low Range
—
✓ Standard
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
8.3 l/100km
7.9 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
80 l
76 l
CO2 Emissions
218 g/km
208 g/km
Dimensions
Length
5350 mm
5333 mm
Width
2015-2208 mm
1870 mm
Height
1886 mm
1790 mm
Wheelbase
3270 mm
3125 mm
Ground Clearance
237 mm
232 mm
Kerb Weight
2255 Kg
2020 Kg
Doors
4
2+2
Seats
5
2
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
3500 Kg
3500 Kg
Load Capacity
1095 l
1025 l
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
—
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
7
8
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
—
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
✓ Standard
—
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Heated Seats
—
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Tow Bar
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
4
5
Warranty Distance
120000 Km
120000 Km
Service Plan
Optional
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
6
6
Service Plan Distance
90000
90000
Service Intervals
15000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Tie
2 / 4 categories
Performance
Ranger
Fuel Economy
D-Max
Value
D-Max
Practicality
Ranger
Pros & Cons
Ford Ranger
More powerful engine (184 kW)
Higher fuel consumption (8.3 l/100km)
Higher starting price
No factory service plan
Isuzu D-Max
Better fuel economy (7.9 l/100km)
Lower starting price (R785 720)
Factory service plan included
Less power than rival (140 kW vs 184 kW)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Ranger or D-Max?
The Ranger uses 8.3 l/100km and the D-Max uses 7.9 l/100km on the combined cycle. The D-Max is the more fuel-efficient choice. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Ranger or D-Max?
The Ranger produces 184 kW and 600 Nm of torque while the D-Max delivers 140 kW and 450 Nm of torque. The Ranger is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Ranger and D-Max?
The Ranger starts from R995 000 and the D-Max from R785 720. The D-Max is cheaper by R209 280 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Ranger or D-Max?
The Ranger has a braked towing capacity of 3500 Kg and the D-Max can tow 3500 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Ranger or the D-Max?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.