Choosing the right double cab in South Africa is not as easy as you think. You want something tough enough for a corrugated farm road, comfortable enough for the family holiday down to the coast, and dependable enough to hold its value when it is time to trade in. You may also want semi-autonomous driving tech for an easier and less tiring drive.
If you have your eye on an Isuzu double cab, chances are that you're trying to decide between the most popular models in the showroom right now: the flagship Isuzu D-Max 3.0TD V-Cross 4x4 and the aggressively styled, considerably more affordable Isuzu D-Max 3.0TD X-Rider 4x4. (Find new and used D-Max models here.)
Could you get away with buying the cheaper bakkie, or is the difference between these two models too vast? Let's take a look.
The red Isuzu lettering signifies X-Rider status.
1. Under both bonnets: 3.0L turbodiesel power for hard work and easy towing
Up until recently, if you wanted a D-Max in X-Rider trim, you'd have to settle for the smaller 1.9-litre engine. Isuzu has now changed the game by dropping their heavy-duty 3.0-litre Ddi turbodiesel engine into the X-Rider line-up.
That means both of these machines share the same workhorse capacity:
- Power: 140 kW at 3,600 rpm
- Torque: 450 Nm from 1,600 to 2,600 rpm
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic
- Capability: Both feature shift-on-the-fly 4WD, low-range, an electronic rear differential lock, and Rough Terrain Mode (an electronic brake-assisted system that mimics a limited-slip differential across the front axle).
Buying used? Check out our (1.9L) Isuzu X-Rider 4x4 Review here.
*What is Rough Terrain Mode?
When you venture off the beaten track, whether you're tackling thick riverbed sand, sticky mud, loose gravel, or jagged rocky tracks, maintaining traction can be a headache. That is where Rough Terrain Mode steps in.
Instead of leaving you entirely to your own devices or forcing you to constantly second-guess your throttle inputs, this electronic off-road assistant optimises how the bakkie applies power.
When engaged, Rough Terrain Mode electronically coordinates three critical systems:
- Throttle Mapping: It softens initial throttle response to prevent wheel spin in slippery or loose conditions, helping you maintain momentum rather than digging yourself into a hole.
- Brake-LCS (Limited Slip Differential) Control: If a wheel loses traction and starts spinning freely in the air or on slick surfaces, the system instantly brakes that specific wheel, redirecting engine torque to the wheels that still have grip.
- Transmission Logic: It alters shifting patterns to keep the engine in its optimal power band while crawling or navigating tricky obstacles.
It essentially acts as an intelligent off-road safety net. You don’t need to be a seasoned 4x4 veteran to navigate technical terrain; Rough Terrain Mode helps smooth out driver errors, reduces wheel slip, and keeps you moving forward when the road (or lack of one) gets tough.
The D-Max has never been afraid of going off-road.
2. Pricing
- Isuzu D-Max 3.0TD double cab X-Rider 4x4: Currently priced at R 844,470.
- Isuzu D-Max 3.0TD double cab V-Cross 4x4: Wears a price tag of R 948,930.
You are looking at a price difference of around R 104,460. Since the engines and off-road running gear are identical, what exactly justifies that R104k jump for the V-Cross badge?
It boils down to three things:
- safety technology,
- steering feel, and
- executive cabin comforts.
The X-Rider's cabin: Colourful, traditional, and very user-friendly.
3. Safety and Advanced Driver Assistance (ADAS)
This is the biggest differentiator between the two bakkies.
The X-Rider comes with a solid, dependable safety kit, including stability control, traction control, trailer sway control, 7 airbags (including a driver knee bag), and automatic headlights. It handles everyday safety brilliantly.
The V-Cross, however, gets Isuzu's full Gen-4 stereo-camera active safety suite:
- 8 Airbags: Adds a crucial front-centre airbag between the driver and passenger to prevent head crashes in a side impact.
- Adaptive Cruise Control with stop-and-go functionality: Automatically matches the speed of traffic on highways. In heavy congestion, it can bring the bakkie to a complete stop and hold it for up to five minutes before the driver has to touch the accelerator pedal again.
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB): Warns you of potential collisions and brakes automatically if you do not react in time.
- Lane Keeping Assist & Departure Warning: Helps keep you centred in your lane during long highway trips.
- Blind Spot Monitoring & Rear Cross-Traffic Alert: Keeps you safe in busy traffic and crowded parking lots.
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) & High-Beam Assist.
Please note that the V-Cross offers a rearview camera but no 360-degree bird's-eye view or front camera, same as the X-Rider.
If you do massive mileage on national highways, or spend time in heavy congestion en route to work, the V-Cross safety suite takes most of the fatigue out of the drive.
Those who brave the traffic on the daily may lean towards the adaptive cruise control in the V-Cross.
4. Cabin comfort, tech, and steering
Step inside both bakkies and you will notice completely different personalities.
The V-Cross model: Note the larger touchscreen and switches below it.
- Steering: The X-Rider uses traditional hydraulic power steering. The V-Cross upgrades to Electric Power Steering (EPS), making low-speed parking manoeuvres noticeably lighter and highway steering much more settled. The V-Cross also adds steering wheel gearshift paddles.
- Seats and Climate: The X-Rider features manual driver seat adjustment and standard air conditioning. The V-Cross treats you to dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and an 8-way electrically adjustable driver seat with electric lumbar support. Both models feature full leather seats.
- Starting Up: The V-Cross gives you keyless entry with push-button start. The X-Rider requires the good old key in the ignition.
- Instrument cluster: Both bakkies use traditional physical analogue dials for speed and revs, but the V-Cross upgrades the central multi-information display to a larger, higher-resolution screen to handle its complex ADAS graphics. The X-Rider makes do with a simpler, smaller MID screen flanked by those same analogue gauges.
- The X-Rider gets one USB-C port up front and one USB-C in the back. The V-Cross has two up front (USB-C) and one USB-C in the rear.
The red accents in the X-Rider significantly liven up the cabin.
5. Styling: Rugged vs. executive
- The X-Rider Look: It leans into youth and attitude. You get a bold black radiator grille with a striking red Isuzu badge, side and tailgate X-Rider decals, a black sports bar, 18-inch diamond-cut black alloy wheels, and red stitching inside the leather cabin. It turns heads everywhere it goes.
- The V-Cross Look: It goes for a more mature, executive aesthetic. You get sophisticated dark grey exterior accents on the roof rails, side steps, mirror housings, and sports bar.
The V-Cross is arguably the more sophisticated-looking choice.
The verdict: Which one is best for whom?
Buy the Isuzu D-Max 3.0TD X-Rider 4x4 if: You want the powerhouse 3.0L engine, proper 4x4 capability, and heavy towing power wrapped in a bold, head-turning blacked-out aesthetic, but you do not care much about electronic driving aids or larger digital screens. It is the pragmatic choice that saves you megabucks, all while keeping all the mechanical muscle.
Buy the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross 4x4 if: You want the ultimate highway cruiser and family adventure rig. If you value semi-autonomous safety features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist, electric heated seats, keyless go, and electric power steering, that R104,460 premium transforms the D-Max into an upmarket family SUV with a load bin.
The X-Rider is also easy on the eyes, and easier on the pocket.
Which one would we choose to live with?
After driving both bakkies back-to-back, the X-Rider gets my vote. It may have a slightly smaller touchscreen and two fewer speakers, but it pairs easily with your phone for seamless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration, both of which are wireless. (I also didn't think the sound quality between the two systems sounded markedly different; neither is fantastic.)
I also prefer the air-conditioning controls in the X-Rider: Rotary dials instead of the row of switches below the touchscreen in the V-Cross; it's simple and straightforward to adjust when you're on the move.
Unfortunately, there are no rear air vents for X-Rider passengers, but if you crank the potent air-con up high enough, it will cool the cabin quickly.
The V-Cross's autonomous emergency braking is a little too sensitive for my taste. It sent my groceries flying when someone slowed down in front of me at a speed bump and slammed on the brakes, even though there was no imminent threat. You can reduce its sensitivity, but it defaults every time you switch the car off and back on again.
While I love how easy the EPS (electronic power steering) makes the V-Cross feel in town, I am quite happy to pilot the slightly more industrial-feeling X-Rider through the city streets - especially if it means I'm saving over R100k. But that's just me; go take both for a test drive and then decide.
Tackling forest trails in the X-Rider.
