Choosing a bakkie in South Africa is like picking your favourite rugby team. Everyone's got an opinion, brand loyalty runs deep, and nobody wants to admit they got it wrong.
But forget the braai arguments for a moment. We've crunched some numbers for the Toyota Hilux 2.4GD-6 Double Cab Raider auto (R633 200), Ford Ranger 2.0 SiT Double Cab XL auto (R644 500), and Isuzu D-Max 1.9TD Double Cab LS auto (R616 500) to see which one actually saves you money over five years.
Related: Driving tips to save fuel in your Hilux
What hits your bank account every month
With interest rates at 10.5% for good credit and 11.5% for average credit (assuming you're sensible enough to put down a 20% deposit, with repayments over 60 months), here's what you'll pay:
| Model | Good Credit | Average Credit |
|---|---|---|
| Isuzu D-Max | R10,601 | R10,847 |
| Toyota Hilux | R10,888 | R11,141 |
| Ford Ranger | R11,082 | R11,339 |
The D-Max immediately puts R287-481 back in your pocket every month. That's a pub lunch with a friend or a manicure for your other half.
Related: Toyota Hilux vs Ford Ranger, which bakkie is right for you?
The running costs reality check
Fuel consumption: Those brochure figures claiming 7.3-7.5 L/100km? Not quite. Between Joburg traffic, weekend trips to the coast, and actually using your bakkie for work and school runs, you're looking at around 10.0 L/100km for all three, on average, when you're not towing a load.
- Annual fuel bill: R40,080 (at current R20.04/litre for 50ppm diesel, driving 20,000km yearly)
*Insurance premiums according to our friendly insurance consultant at Auto & General:
- Isuzu D-Max: R1 480 monthly
- Ford Ranger: R1 614 monthly
- Toyota Hilux: R1 783 monthly
(*This is based on my own credentials, living in Sandton, with good security)
Service costs: R0—All three include service plans because even manufacturers know how expensive mechanics have become, but the Ranger can be purchased without one. (For this comparison, however, it is included.)
What you get for your hard-earned cash
| D-Max | Hilux | Ranger | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power | 110 kW | 110 kW | 125 kW |
| Torque | 350 Nm | 400 Nm | 405 Nm |
| Payload | 1,095 kg | 855 kg | 907 kg |
| Towing | 2 100 kg | 2,750 kg | 3 500 kg |
| Warranty | 5 years | 3 years | 4 years |
Here's where it gets interesting: the cheapest bakkie carries the most stuff. The D-Max can haul 240kg more than the Toyota and 188kg more than the Ford.
The five-year truth
Total ownership costs:
1. Isuzu D-Max: R925,287
(The underdog, but every dog gets his day.)
2. Toyota Hilux: R960,656
(As reliable as your Gran's rusk recipe, but also a hit with hijackers.)
3. Ford Ranger: R962,140
(All the power, all the tech! But not cheap.)
The D-Max demolishes the competition by over R35 000. That's a decent holiday to Zanzibar for two.
Monthly reality: D-Max puts R590-R614 p/m back in your wallet compared to its rivals.
The Ford Ranger Platinum is an aspirational vehicle, but the XLT model suits most people perfectly.
Why the D-Max is secretly brilliant
It hauls more stuff. Its 1,095 kg payload means you can load it like a bakkie without worrying about your suspension.
It costs less to buy, finance, and insure. The D-Max is cheaper across the board.
It's covered longer: 5-year warranty beats Toyota's 3 years and edges Ford's 4-year coverage. You're covered the longest when something breaks (and it will). Fair play to Ford, though; their 6-year service plan is the longest coverage period, adding serious value.
It comes properly equipped: Cruise control, parking sensors, and decent safety kit as standard.
Pick your personal favourite.
Like we've said before, if you love Toyota, you'll buy a Hilux, so brand loyalty plays a massive part. Each bakkie has its own unique skillset.
Choose the Isuzu D-Max if:
You're smart with money and use your bakkie for work and leisure, and you're not too bothered with a glamorous cabin. Why pay more for less capability? Plus, it's safe, with all the necessary mod-cons, and it's reliable to boot. The D-Max is currently SA's third-best-selling bakkie.
Choose the Toyota Hilux if:
You value badge credibility over bank balance. This is perfect if money isn't that tight and you need maximum resale value. The Hilux is SA's best-selling bakkie overall, for good reason.
Choose the Ford Ranger if:
You want the most high-tech, luxurious cabin and the most powerful engine. The extra R614 monthly buys you genuine towing supremacy, just budget accordingly. The Ranger is actually SA's best-selling double-cab bakkie!
Down to the last cent, it's Isuzu for the win
The Isuzu D-Max 1.9TD Double Cab LS auto wins with the best payload, the longest warranty, the lowest costs, and enough capability for most buyers.
Saving R35 000+ over five years while carrying more and costing less makes the D-Max a sensible option.
