Isuzu D-Max vs Ford Puma

In-depth comparison in South Africa covering price, performance, fuel efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership costs.

Isuzu D-Max

3.0 DDi Double Cab 4x4 LSE AT Diesel Automatic

Switch Variant

Change Car A

ZAR 887,000 ex-showroom

⚡ 140 kW (188 hp)

🔧 450 Nm

⛽ 12.9 km/l

Ford Puma

1.0T EcoBoost ST-Line Automatic Petrol Automatic

Change Car B

ZAR 459,900 ex-showroom

⚡ 92 kW (123 hp)

🔧 170 Nm

⛽ 16.4 km/l

＋

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Quick Winners

⚡ Performance D-Max

⛽ Mileage Puma

🔑 Ownership D-Max

Overall Comparison Score

🏆 Winner

D-Max

/ 100

pts

Puma

/ 100

Very close match. Final decision depends on buyer preference.

Executive Summary

D-Max has a slight advantage, but Puma remains highly competitive.

Key Differences At A Glance

Performance D-Max +7 pts

Efficiency Puma +2 pts

Safety Puma +2 pts

Practicality Puma +3 pts

Ownership D-Max +8 pts

Category Score Breakdown

🏆 Overall Winner

D-Max

Performance 15/20

Efficiency 7/20

Safety 18/20

Practicality 9/20

Ownership 20/20

Puma

Performance 8/20

Efficiency 9/20

Safety 20/20

Practicality 12/20

Ownership 12/20

Pros & Cons

🏆 Overall Winner

D-Max

Pros

More powerful engine output
Better long-term ownership value

Cons

Lower fuel efficiency
Less comprehensive safety features
Less practical in daily usage

Best For: Highway Driving

Puma

Pros

Better fuel efficiency
Stronger safety package
More practical for daily use

Cons

Less powerful engine setup
Shorter warranty coverage

Best For: Fuel Efficiency Family Usage

Who Should Buy Which?

D-Max

Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind

Puma

Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
Large families needing more practicality and usability

Full Specification Comparison

Specification	D-Max	Puma
Ground Clearance	240	170
Wheelbase	3125	2594
Length	5310	4186
Width	1870	1805
Height	1810	1531
Kerb Weight	2050	1325
Gross Vehicle Weight	3100	1775
Seating Capacity	5	5
Boot Space	0	456
Towing Capacity	3500	1200
Front Track Width	-	1541
Rear Track Width	-	1534
Turning Radius	-	5.4

Specification	D-Max	Puma
Engine	3.0L Ddi Turbo Diesel	1.0L EcoBoost Mild Hybrid
Engine Type	Inline 4 Turbocharged	Inline 3 Cylinder Turbo Mild Hybrid
Displacement	2999	999
Cylinders	4	3
Valves per Cylinder	4	4
Power	140	92
Torque	450	170
Fuel System	Common Rail Direct Injection	Direct Injection
Top Speed	180	185
0-100 km/h	10.8	10.5
Power @ RPM	-	6000 rpm
Torque @ RPM	-	2000-4500 rpm
Turbocharger	-	Single Turbo
Compression Ratio	-	10.5:1
Engine Position	-	Front Transverse

Specification	D-Max	Puma
Transmission	6-Speed Automatic	7-Speed Automatic DCT
Drive Type	4x2	FWD
Drivetrain Layout	Rear Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive
LSD Available	Mechanical Limited Slip	Not Available
Transfer Case	None	Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters	-	Standard
Differential Lock	-	Not Applicable

Specification	D-Max	Puma
Claimed Mileage	12.9	16.4
City Mileage	9	12
Highway Mileage	13	18
Fuel Tank Capacity	76	42
Emission Standard	Euro 5	Euro 6
AdBlue Tank Capacity	-	Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop	-	Standard

Specification	D-Max	Puma
Airbags	6	8
ABS	Standard	Standard
Electronic Stability Control	Standard	Standard
Traction Control	Standard	Standard
Hill Descent Control	Not Available	Not Available
Child Safety Lock	Standard	Standard
ISOFIX Mounts	Standard	Standard
Brake Assist	Standard	Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor	Standard	Standard
Engine Immobiliser	Standard	Standard
Hill Start Assist	-	Standard
Alarm System	-	Standard
Central Locking	-	Standard
Side Impact Beams	-	Standard

Specification	D-Max	Puma
Cruise Control	Standard	Adaptive
Adaptive Cruise Control	Not Available	Standard
Lane Keep Assist	Not Available	Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring	Not Available	Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	Not Available	Standard
Parking Sensors	Rear	Front and Rear
Rear View Camera	Standard	Standard
360 Degree Camera	Not Available	Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking	Standard	Standard
Lane Departure Warning	-	Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert	-	Standard
Traffic Sign Recognition	-	Standard

Specification	D-Max	Puma
Seat Material	Premium Fabric	Sport Partial Leather
Seat Adjustment	Manual	Electric 6-Way
Heated Seats	Not Available	Front
Ventilated Seats	Not Available	Not Available
Steering Type	Rack and Pinion Power Steering	Electric Power Assisted
Steering Adjustment	Tilt and Telescopic	Tilt and Telescopic
Ambient Lighting	Not Available	Ambient Sport Lighting
Folding Rear Seats	-	60/40 Split
Front Armrest	-	Standard
Rear Armrest	-	Standard

Specification	D-Max	Puma
Climate Control	Automatic	Automatic AC
Power Windows	All Windows	All Doors
Keyless Entry	Remote Key	Smart Entry
Push Button Start	Standard	Standard
Wireless Charging	Not Available	Standard
Sunroof	Not Available	Not Available
Electric Tailgate	Not Available	Not Available
Automatic Headlamps	-	Standard
Rain Sensing Wipers	-	Standard
Auto Dimming Mirror	-	Standard

Specification	D-Max	Puma
Infotainment Screen	9-inch Touchscreen	12-inch SYNC 4 Touchscreen
Apple CarPlay	Standard	Wireless
Android Auto	Standard	Wireless
Bluetooth Connectivity	Standard	Standard
Number of Speakers	6	6
Navigation System	Built-in GPS	Standard
Digital Instrument Cluster	-	12-inch Full Digital
USB Ports	-	3
Wireless Apple CarPlay	-	Standard

Specification	D-Max	Puma
LED Headlamps	LED Projector	Full LED
Daytime Running Lamps	LED	LED
Fog Lamps	Standard	LED
Roof Rails	Standard	Standard
Alloy Wheel Design	18-inch Alloy	19-inch Sport Alloy
Chrome Exterior Finish	-	Not Available
Body Cladding	-	Standard
Rear Spoiler	-	Sport Rear Spoiler

Specification	D-Max	Puma
Approach Angle	30	-
Departure Angle	25	-
Wading Depth	800	-
Terrain Modes	None	-
Locking Differential	Rear Differential Lock	-

Specification	D-Max	Puma
Tyre Size	265/60 R18	225/40 R19
Wheel Type	Alloy	Alloy
Front Brake Type	Ventilated Disc	Ventilated Disc
Rear Brake Type	Drum	Solid Disc
Spare Wheel Type	-	Tyre Repair Kit

Specification	D-Max	Puma
Front Suspension	Double Wishbone	MacPherson Strut
Rear Suspension	Leaf Spring	Torsion Beam
Chassis Type	Ladder Frame	Monocoque
Power Steering	-	Electric
Steering Column	-	Tilt and Telescopic

Specification	D-Max	Puma
Service Interval	15000 km / 12 months	15,000 km or 1 Year
Approx Service Cost	Moderate	Approx R5,000
Battery Warranty	24 Months	Not Applicable
Maintenance Plan	-	Optional

Specification	D-Max	Puma
Warranty Years	5	3
Warranty Kilometers	120000	100000
Roadside Assistance	5 Years	3 Years
Anti-Corrosion Warranty	-	6 Years

Specification	D-Max	Puma
CO2 Emissions	225	118
Start Stop System	Standard	Standard
Hybrid System Type	None	Mild Hybrid
Noise Level	-	67

Final Verdict

🏆 Isuzu D-Max wins with 69 pts vs 61 pts for Puma

In structured scoring, D-Max emerges as the stronger overall package. However, Puma may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Based on structured category scoring, D-Max performs better overall in South Africa. However, final choice depends on driving priorities.

D-Max scores 7 while Puma scores 9 in efficiency. Real-world mileage may vary based on driving conditions.

In safety scoring, D-Max scores 18 and Puma scores 20. Both offer competitive safety packages in this segment.

D-Max scores 20 versus Puma scoring 12. Warranty coverage and ownership value influence this result.

Practicality scoring gives D-Max 9 and Puma 12, reflecting cabin space and usability.

Performance category shows D-Max scoring 15 compared to Puma scoring 8, indicating stronger overtaking capability.

While resale depends on market demand, ownership and brand positioning suggest D-Max may hold stronger long-term value.

Off-road suitability depends on drivetrain and ground clearance. Refer to the full specification comparison for detailed technical differences.

Efficiency and ownership categories influence running costs. D-Max performs slightly stronger overall in structured scoring.

Value depends on feature set, performance and ownership coverage. Structured comparison gives D-Max the overall advantage.

Detailed Comparison Analysis

The comparison between D-Max and Puma in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: D-Max scores 15 vs 8.

Efficiency: D-Max scores 7 vs 9.

Safety: D-Max scores 18 vs 20.

Practicality: D-Max scores 9 vs 12.

Ownership: D-Max scores 20 vs 12.

Final structured scoring gives D-Max the advantage in this comparison.

Isuzu D-Max vs Ford Puma

Isuzu D-Max

Ford Puma

Quick Winners

Overall Comparison Score

D-Max

Puma

Executive Summary

Key Differences At A Glance

Category Score Breakdown

D-Max

Puma

Pros & Cons

D-Max

Puma

Who Should Buy Which?

D-Max

Puma

Full Specification Comparison

Final Verdict

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Frequently Asked Questions

Detailed Comparison Analysis