Toyota HiLux vs Isuzu D-Max
What's the difference?

Toyota HiLux

$33,990 - $82,990

2026 price

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Isuzu D-Max

$36,200 - $80,900

2026 price

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Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLB

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

Mercedes-Benz Vito

Mercedes-Benz X-Class

Volkswagen Transporter

Volvo C40

Summary

2026 Toyota HiLux

2026 Isuzu D-Max

By Mark Oastler

By Marcus Craft

Safety Rating

Electric motor type

Permanent Magnet

Diesel Turbo 4, 2.2L

Vehicle type

Battery Electric

Diesel

Electric range

315 km

7.8L/100km (combined)

Energy consumption

20.2 kWh/100km

Battery capacity

59.20 kWh

Seating

Likes

Zero tailpipe emissions
Silent powertrain
Zippy response

Off-road capability
Eight-speed auto
Reasonably refined on-road for a 4WD ute

Dislikes

High price
Short driving range
Limited GVM/GCM ratings

Laggy and noisy
Underpowered
Underdone in terms of value compared to rivals

2026 Toyota HiLux Summary

Toyota claims its first HiLux BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) has been designed primarily with mining, business and government fleet customers in mind, by combining the iconic ute’s 4x4 all-terrain capability with zero tailpipe emissions only a full-electric drivetrain can deliver.

To prove its suitability for harsh Aussie conditions, Toyota claims the HiLux BEV has undergone more than two years of testing on site with major mining companies, covering thousands of kilometres in ambient temperatures up to 50 degrees.

We recently sampled the HiLux BEV as a daily driver in metropolitan use, to see if its mining-focused credentials translate to being a practical alternative to traditional diesel power for tradies working in busy urban environments.

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2026 Isuzu D-Max Summary

Once regarded as rather an agricultural ute offering, Isuzu’s D-Max has become a well-established, long-time favourite of families, weekend warriors and off-road tourers.

The 3.0-litre D-Max has gained a strong following through the years but versions with the newer 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine are marketed as better on fuel. However there’s a substantial trade-off in terms of power and torque against the 3.0-litre (120kW and 400Nm versus 140kW and 450Nm).

The X-Rider, a mid-spec variant, is available with either engine, so how does the 2.2-litre-equipped D-Max perform as a daily driver and, more importantly, off-roader?

Read on.

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Deep dive comparison

2026 Toyota HiLux 2026 Isuzu D-Max

Verdict

Given the HiLux BEV was developed in close cooperation with mining companies, its relatively short driving range appears tailor-made for that role given the daily driving distances (typically around 150km or less) in underground and open-cut mining operations. However, determining if our SR5 test vehicle is equally well suited to urban tradie duties would require careful analysis of driving range and payload/towing requirements, to determine if its emissions-free high purchase price can be justified.

Verdict

The D-Max X-Rider has adequate appeal as a daily driver – it’s functional and comfortable – and it’s also working off a proven 4WD platform.

This mid-spec ute lacks the polish of higher-grade D-Max grades, but it may still entice those ute fans who want a workhorse with a tractable engine and don’t care at all about frippery.

Does that 2.2-litre engine add anything substantial to the package? No, and the potential fuel savings it represents don’t seem so likely as the 3.0-litre doesn’t use a lot more fuel than the 2.2-litre D-Max anyway – and the 3.0-litre version only costs another $2000 or so to buy.

The 3.0-litre D-Max remains the better option because while the 2.2L is effective off-road, it’s only reasonable in general day-to-day driving, as it lacks grunt and has to work that much harder and is that much noisier under load than the 3.0-litre in most driving scenarios, including 4WDing.

Toyota HiLux vs Isuzu D-Max What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Toyota HiLux vs Isuzu D-Max
What's the difference?