Are you interested in buying a budget-minded workhorse bakkie but can't decide whether to go with the Isuzu D-Max or the Nissan Navara?
It's a difficult choice - both bakkies are from reliable, trusted brands, both are built in SA (so parts availability is never an issue), and both keep their value well in the used-car market. Both models are powered by a 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine - although the Navara packs a larger power punch. But the D-Max has other things going for it. Price-wise, they're pretty close, too.
So, how do you decide? Eventually, you'll take both for a test drive, but before then, it's best to arm yourself with the knowledge to see what each bakkie does best.
Related: We also compare the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux workhorse bakkies in this article.
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The basics
| Specification | Isuzu D-Max | Nissan Navara |
|---|---|---|
| Range Body | D-Max Gen 6 single cab | Navara single cab |
| Model | 250 single cab Fleetside safety | 2.5DDTi single cab XE |
| Spec Level / Trim Line / Grade | Fleetside + safety pack | XE |
| Price | 431,100.00 | 433,500.00 |
| Engine Capacity (cc) | 2499 | 2488 |
| Engine + Detail | 2.5-litre turbodiesel | 2.5-litre turbodiesel |
| Power Maximum | 100kW | 120kW |
| Power Peak Revs | 3400 rpm | 3600 rpm |
| Torque Maximum | 320Nm | 403Nm |
| Torque Peak Revs | 1800-2800 rpm | 2000 rpm |
| Fuel Consumption (claimed): Average | 7.6 litres per 100 km | 7.2 l/100 km |
1. Styling
Although this is definitely not a beauty contest, buyers always prefer a bakkie with a bit of an attitude. Both bakkies have the respective brands' latest styling cues, but dare I say the Navara looks a little more imposing?
Related: BYD Shark 6 launching in SA soon!
2. Dimensions
| Isuzu D-Max | Nissan Navara | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 5218 mm | 5235 mm |
| Width (Excl. Mirrors - Incl. Mirrors) | 1860-2132 mm | 1790 mm |
| Height | 1790 mm | 1750 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3095 mm | 3150 mm |
| Ground Clearance ( | 225 mm | 209 mm |
| Turning Circle | 12.8 m | 12.8 m |
| Approach Angle | 30.0° | 30.8° |
| Break-Over/Ramp Angle | 22.4° | 22.1° |
| Departure Angle | 22.7° | 26.7° |
| Wading/Fording (Water Crossing) Depth | 600 mm | 450 mm |
3. Payload and towing capabilities
This may all seem a little confusing, but what matters most here are payload and towing capacity. The Navara can take a bit more weight, and its braked towing capacity is an impressive 3500 kg vs. the D-Max's 2000 kg. GCM is also important if you're going to be towing large trailers, and the Navara also wins this round.
| Specification | D-Max | Navara | Description and Differences |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unladen/Tare/Kerb Weight | 1710 kg | 1714 kg | This is the weight of the vehicle when it is empty, including all fluids but not any cargo or passengers. The D-Max is slightly lighter than the Navara by 4 kg. |
| Load Carrying Capacity / Payload | 1235 kg | 1144 kg | This indicates how much weight the vehicle can carry in addition to its weight. The D-Max has a higher payload capacity, allowing for an extra 91 kg compared to the Navara. |
| Gross Weight (GVM) | 3000 kg | 2940 kg | The vehicle's maximum weight when fully loaded, including passengers and cargo. The D-Max can handle 60 kg more than the Navara. |
| Towing Capacity - Unbraked | 750 kg | 750 kg | Both vehicles have the same unbraked towing capacity, indicating they can tow the same weight without trailer brakes. |
| Towing Capacity - Braked | 2000 kg | 3500 kg | The maximum weight can be towed with a trailer with its own brakes. The Navara significantly outperforms the D-Max here, able to tow an additional 1500 kg. |
| Gross Combination Mass / Combined Weight (GCM) | 5000 kg | 6130 kg | This is the vehicle's total weight plus any trailers it is towing. The Navara has a much higher GCM, allowing for greater total towing and load capacity by 1130 kg. |
4. Interior, comfort, and convenience
If you spend hours on the road, a comfortable cabin is important, and small things can make a big difference to a driver's stress and fatigue levels.
Both the D-Max and Navara have a height-adjustable steering wheel, air-conditioning, and a trip computer, but no radio as standard; this can be fitted, however, with the Navara also being touchscreen-ready should you choose to fit something a bit more extensive in the infotainment department. Strangely, we didn't see this option on the Nissan website, but we saw images of a Navara with an aftermarket product fitted at one of our dealers.
However, the Navara also comes standard with remote central locking, electric windows, and electrically adjustable mirrors.
The Navara has vinyl seats, while the D-Max gets canvas seats. The Navara wins on the comfort front, purely from a spec-level perspective.
| Feature | D-Max | Navara | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering Wheel | Height-adjustable | Height-adjustable | |
| Air-conditioning | Yes | Yes | |
| Trip Computer | Yes | Yes | |
| Radio (Standard) | No | No | |
| Central infotainment screen | No | Infotainment-ready | |
| Remote Central Locking | No | Yes | |
| Electric Windows | No | Yes | |
| Electrically Adjustable Mirrors | No | Yes | |
| Seat Material | Canvas | Vinyl |
5. Safety features
The D-Max is not named the 'Fleetside Safety' variant for nothing as it outshines the Navara in this respect. Take a look:
| Specification | D-Max | Navara |
|---|---|---|
| Airbags | 2 | 2 |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | Std | Std |
| Hill-start Assist / Hill Holder | Std | No |
| Diff Lock | Optional in the Rear | No |
| Traction Control | Std | No |
| Stability Control | Std | No |
| Hill Descent Control / Downhill Brake Control | Std | No |
6. Warranty and service plans
| Specification | Isuzu D-Max | Nissan Navara |
|---|---|---|
| Warranty Time (Years) | 5 | 6 |
| Warranty Distance (km) | 120 000 | 150 000 |
| Service Plan | Standard | Optional |
| Service Plan Time (Years) | 5 | Optional 6 |
| Service Plan Distance (km) | 90,000 | Optional 90,000 |
| Service Interval Distance (km) | 15 000 | 15 000 |
Verdict
If safety is your main concern, the D-Max will set your mind at ease with its proven reliability, features like stability and traction control, and guaranteed value as a used model. But, if outright towing capacity (and a few more convenience features) is your goal, then the Navara (with its longer warranty) will be the one to go for.
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