VS
At a Glance
Power
140 kW
150 kW
Torque
450 Nm
500 Nm
Fuel
7.9 l/100km
9.7 l/100km
Towing
3500 Kg
3500 Kg
Engine
2999 cc
2755 cc
Choosing between the Isuzu D-Max and the Toyota Land Cruiser 79 is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Isuzu D-Max delivers 140 kW while the Toyota Land Cruiser 79 produces 150 kW. On fuel, the D-Max returns 7.9 l/100km while the Land Cruiser 79 uses 9.7 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R898 380 for the D-Max and R1 108 400 for the Land Cruiser 79. 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
150 kW
Torque
450 Nm
500 Nm
Top Speed
—
150 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
2999 cc
2755 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
diesel
diesel
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
6
6
Drive Wheels
rear
all
Full Time 4x4
—
✓ Standard
Low Range
—
✓ Standard
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
7.9 l/100km
9.7 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
76 l
130 l
CO2 Emissions
208 g/km
254 g/km
Dimensions
Length
5333 mm
5235 mm
Width
1880 mm
1870 mm
Height
1805 mm
1945 mm
Wheelbase
3125 mm
3180 mm
Ground Clearance
232 mm
235 mm
Kerb Weight
1985 Kg
2245 Kg
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
5
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
3500 Kg
3500 Kg
Load Capacity
955 l
1055 l
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
8
2
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
—
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
—
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
—
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
—
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
—
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
—
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
—
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
—
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
—
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
—
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
—
Tow Bar
✓ Standard
—
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5
3
Warranty Distance
120000 Km
100000 Km
Service Plan
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
6
9 services
Service Plan Distance
90000
90000
Service Intervals
15000
10000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Isuzu D-Max
2 / 4 categories
Performance
Land Cruiser 79
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)
Less power than rival (140 kW vs 150 kW)
Toyota Land Cruiser 79
More powerful engine (150 kW)
Higher fuel consumption (9.7 l/100km)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the D-Max or Land Cruiser 79?
The D-Max uses 7.9 l/100km and the Land Cruiser 79 uses 9.7 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 Land Cruiser 79?
The D-Max produces 140 kW and 450 Nm of torque while the Land Cruiser 79 delivers 150 kW and 500 Nm of torque. The Land Cruiser 79 is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the D-Max and Land Cruiser 79?
The D-Max starts from R898 380 and the Land Cruiser 79 from R1 108 400. The D-Max is cheaper by R210 020 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the D-Max or Land Cruiser 79?
The D-Max has a braked towing capacity of 3500 Kg and the Land Cruiser 79 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 Land Cruiser 79?
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.