VS
At a Glance
Power
140 kW
184 kW
Torque
450 Nm
600 Nm
Fuel
7.9 l/100km
8.4 l/100km
Towing
3500 Kg
3500 Kg
Engine
2999 cc
2993 cc
Choosing between the Isuzu D-Max and the Volkswagen Amarok is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Isuzu D-Max delivers 140 kW while the Volkswagen Amarok produces 184 kW. On fuel, the D-Max returns 7.9 l/100km while the Amarok uses 8.4 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R898 380 for the D-Max and R1 190 900 for the Amarok. 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
140 kW
184 kW
Torque
450 Nm
600 Nm
Top Speed
—
180 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
2999 cc
2993 cc
Engine Layout
inline
V
Cylinders
4
6
Fuel Type
diesel
diesel
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
6
10
Drive Wheels
rear
all
Full Time 4x4
—
✓ Standard
Low Range
—
✓ Standard
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
7.9 l/100km
8.4 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
76 l
80 l
CO2 Emissions
208 g/km
222 g/km
Dimensions
Length
5333 mm
5350 mm
Width
1880 mm
1910 mm
Height
1805 mm
1884 mm
Wheelbase
3125 mm
3270 mm
Ground Clearance
232 mm
235 mm
Kerb Weight
1985 Kg
2236 Kg
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
5
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
3500 Kg
3500 Kg
Load Capacity
955 l
1114 l
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
—
Airbag Count
8
7
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
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
—
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Tow Bar
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5
5
Warranty Distance
120000 Km
150000 Km
Service Plan
✓ Standard
—
Service Plan Years
6
—
Service Plan Distance
90000
—
Service Intervals
15000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Isuzu D-Max
2 / 4 categories
Performance
Amarok
Fuel Economy
D-Max
Value
D-Max
Practicality
Tied
Pros & Cons
Isuzu D-Max
Better fuel economy (7.9 l/100km)
Lower starting price (R898 380)
Factory service plan included
Less power than rival (140 kW vs 184 kW)
Volkswagen Amarok
More powerful engine (184 kW)
Higher fuel consumption (8.4 l/100km)
Higher starting price
No factory service plan
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the D-Max or Amarok?
The D-Max uses 7.9 l/100km and the Amarok uses 8.4 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 D-Max or Amarok?
The D-Max produces 140 kW and 450 Nm of torque while the Amarok delivers 184 kW and 600 Nm of torque. The Amarok is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the D-Max and Amarok?
The D-Max starts from R898 380 and the Amarok from R1 190 900. The D-Max is cheaper by R292 520 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the D-Max or Amarok?
The D-Max has a braked towing capacity of 3500 Kg and the Amarok can tow 3500 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the D-Max or the Amarok?
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.