ISUZU had the privilege of chatting with Ferdi de Vos, co-convenor of the SA Bakkie of the Year (SABOTY) Awards, to dive into the details behind ISUZU's big win and find out what makes the ISUZU D-MAX 1.9 X-Rider 4×4 AT a standout in today’s competitive bakkie market.
ISUZU: What key criteria did the SA Bakkie of the Year judges consider for the "Low Cost of Ownership" category, and how did the ISUZU D-MAX 1.9 X-Rider 4×4 AT stack up?
SABOTY: Ah, yes—the "Low Cost of Ownership" category is one of our most scrutinised criteria, and for good reason! To get a clear picture of affordability over time, we looked at six major factors:
- Retail price- how competitive is the initial purchase price?
- Resale value- after four years or 80,000 km, how well does the bakkie retain its value?
- Service plan- we analyse the cost and coverage over the same 80,000 km period.
- Fuel consumption - we check for fuel efficiency, a huge factor in today's fuel costs.
- Insurance costs- using data from the insurance industry from Renasa, we review the average cost over four years.
- Replacement tyres - since tyres wear out, we factor in the cost of a full set of original equipment (OE) tyres.
Figures are provided by Lightstone and Renasa, ensuring industry-backed accuracy, and were rated on a 1 to 10 scale by our jury members. The ISUZU D-MAX 1.9 X-Rider 4x4 AT came out swinging with impressive scores across the board, especially in fuel consumption and maintenance.
ISUZU: How do factors like fuel efficiency, maintenance costs, and resale value contribute to the overall cost of ownership, and how did the ISUZU D-MAX 1.9 X-Rider perform here?
SABOTY: In terms of affordability, these three factors are like the “Three Musketeers” for any bakkie buyer. Fuel efficiency is a big deal here, considering fuel prices don’t seem to be headed south any time soon. With the ISUZU D-MAX, we found that fuel efficiency really shines. Its 1.9-litre engine manages to deliver both power and economy, proving you don’t need a gas guzzler to conquer South Africa’s diverse terrain.
On top of that, maintenance costs were refreshingly low. This helps keep ownership expenses predictable, which is a big win for budget-conscious buyers. Lastly, resale value: the D-MAX is a known name that holds its value well, meaning it won’t lose its worth the moment you drive it off the lot.
ISUZU: In a market with such strong contenders, what do you think set the ISUZU D-MAX 1.9 X-Rider apart as the best in terms of low cost of ownership?
SABOTY: It’s a tough market out there, with every brand jostling for that coveted title. But what set the D-MAX apart was its fuel economy and low maintenance costs. Together, these factors ensure drivers get more bakkie for their buck.
ISUZU: Do you see the trend of prioritising low cost of ownership continuing to influence bakkie buyers' decisions in the future?
SABOTY: Absolutely. With inflation and the unpredictability of fuel prices, low cost of ownership is on every buyer’s mind. South African consumers are savvy; they’re not just looking at today’s price but also what it’ll cost them down the road. In fact, that’s why SA Bakkie of the Year is unique—we consider the cost of ownership as a core part of our scoring process because it’s crucial to buyers’ decisions.
From the fuel-efficient engine to the affordable maintenance, the ISUZU D-MAX 1.9 X-Rider 4x4 AT has earned its spot as South Africa’s top bakkie for low cost of ownership. It’s more than just a reliable ride—it’s a smart financial choice for anyone who wants power without the price tag.
