Isuzu D-Max

The Isuzu D-Max represents Isuzu’s best bet in the mid-size, pickup truck category. It’s also the most versatile as it can be configured as a single or double cab unit, with a total of 9 variants to choose from. Aside from 4x2 or 4x4 drivetrain options, the D-Max comes equipped with either a 1.9-liter RZ4E-TC turbodiesel engine that makes 148 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque, or a 3.0-liter 4JJ3-TCX turbodiesel engine with 187 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque. Transmission choices consist of a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. The price range for the Isuzu D-Max ranges between Php 862,000 to Php 1,835,000.

History

The first generation Isuzu D-Max pickup truck came out in 2002 and shared the same platform with the Chevrolet Colorado and was sold in Australia as the Holden Rodeo. In 2011, Isuzu unveiled the second generation D-Max which was designed in cooperation with General Motors. Just like its predecessor, the D-Max also shared the same platform with the Chevrolet Colorado.

Launch

In 2021, Isuzu launched the third generation D-Max with improved exterior looks and added a lot of technological and safety features. What’s more, the D-Max boasts of Isuzu’s Dynamic Drive Platform. This technology allows for a frame that’s lighter, stiffer and safer. Despite the increase in dimensions and engine displacement, Isuzu claims reduced fuel consumption. The D-Max now rides on a double-wishbone suspension up front with coil springs, greatly improving its overall ride and comfort.

Variant and Price

The price of the 2022 Isuzu D-Max in the Philippines starts at ₱857,000 for the entry-level 1.9 4x2 Single Cab MT, while the top spec variant LS-E 3.0 4x4 AT is priced at ₱1,825,000.

When it comes to pick-up trucks, it's rather hard to deviate much in terms of exterior design due to its form factor. The basic silhoutte remains largely the same, leaving manufacturers with only the front-end design to make an impression. But, boy does the D-Max make one hell of an impression.

The exterior of the 2022 D-Max adopts Isuzu’s new design statement, the D-Max features a new bumper that’s highlighted by a large grille with the Isuzu logo on the upper portion. Depending on the variant, the front grille comes in several finishes like chrome or gun metallic with a simulated skid plate at the bottom. It also comes with sleek modern Bi-LED headlights with daytime running lights on the top spec variant. Lastly, there are vertical slats on either side that houses the turn signals and the fog lamps. The side profile of the D-Max presents clean lines with wide wheel arches and matching fender flares. This gives it that rugged, yet modern off-road look that most pickup buyers are looking for. Completing the look are 18-inch alloy wheels with 265/60 all-terrain tires on the top spec variant.

Something of a more subjective debate is the design of the 18-inch wheels, which might not be to everyone's taste. For most part, it looks inoffensive and blends well with the rest of the D-Max's exterior. It might not look as overtly masculine as the Toyota Hilux, or as radical as the Mitsubishi Triton, or even as elegant as the Ford Ranger, but the D-Max is nothing if not good-looking. 

Dimensions

The dimensions of the Isuzu D-Max are 5,277 mm in length, 1,880 mm in width and 1,810 mm in height and a wheelbase of 3,125 mm. There are several colors to choose from, namely Valencia Orange, Red Spinel, Mercury Silver, Galena Gray, Onyx Black and Splash White. 

The Isuzu D-Max provides ample cabin space with seating for 3 to 5 passengers. What’s great about the interior of the 2022 D-Max are the front and rear seats that are ergonomically contoured, offering total body support and comfort. Something that’s needed for those lengthy out of town trips.

Up front, the dashboard contains a large multi-function display with a highly illuminated rev meter and speedometer.

There’s also a 10-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. The top spec variant gets a dual zone climate control LCD panel while the rest come with traditional knob controls. The center console also come with rear aircon vents.

The mainly black themed interior features silver trim accents on the dash and door panels, but the top spec variant gets brown leather seats with matching brown dash pad and door panel inserts.

Safety Features

The Isuzu D-Max comes loaded with a host of safety features starting with seven airbags on the top spec variant with Isuzu’s Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS). This innovative technology includes forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beam and park assist. The rest of the variants except the single cab also get driver and front passenger air bags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Control, Brake Assist, Brake Override System, and many more.

Infotainment Features

Isuzu has equipped almost all variants of the D-Max with a 10-inch infotainment system that’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto ready for seamless phone integration. The top spec variant comes with eight speakers while the rest gets either a 6-speaker or 2-speaker sound system.

Being the flagship of the range, the D-Max X-Terrrain is decked out generously in the equipment department as well.

• Electrically adjustable driver's seat

• Remote engine start

• Automatic headlamp levelling

• Tailgate assist

• ADAS suite (FCW, AEB, ACC, AHB, LDW)

• 7 airbags

Engine

The Isuzu D-Max has a couple of engine and transmission options. First up is the base 1.9-liter RZ4E diesel engine that produces a 148 hp and 350 Nm of torque. The second one is the 3.0-liter, Blue Power engine with 187 hp and 450 Nm of torque. Both engines could either be paired with a 6-speed automatic with Sequential Shift or a conventional 6-speed manual gearbox.

Ride & Handling

When it comes to going over rough trail or carrying heavy cargo loads, the Isuzu D-Max is highly capable. It rides on an independent double wishbone suspension up front and semi-elliptical leaf springs out back. All that heavy duty components clearly show what the D-Max is primarily built for. As to be expected, the overall ride quality of the D-Max is more on the stiff side.

Driving experience - Capable and rugged at the same time

Let's start from the driver's seat. As mentioned, the shape of the seats are superb. You can sit in these all day and not get any aches. No matter what size you are, finding a good seating position is effortless, what with electric adjustment for the driver's seat, plus tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment.

We say this without a hint of exaggeration, the D-Max's driving position feels the most natural in this segment. From our experience, the Toyota Hilux's steering doesn't come close enough to the driver (even at max reach), never mind the Ford Ranger, which doesn't even have reach adjustment. Only the Mitsubishi Triton comes close to the D-Max's driving ergonomics.

As a result, the driving position is ergonomically sound. The steering wheel is not oddly offset, and the pedals are spaced out properly. This may sound frivolous, but remember these are the major contact points for the driver. Isuzu has nailed the basic things, and it makes the D-Max's cockpit most un-trucklike.

Again, because this is a pick-up truck that is 2 tonnes and a bit, you don't expect it to be brimming with feedback and sporty to drive. And that's completely fine. For most part, the D-Max handles as it should, which is tidy and drama-free. The steering is not too heavy, which is a boon in low speed, town driving.

Even at higher speeds, the D-Max's composure remains, tracking straight and true. Long distance driving would not pose a problem at all. 

Top-notch refinement, in a pick-up truck!

Back on regular tarmac, the D-Max rides with all the comfort and composure of a modern SUV or sedan. Sure, really sharp surfaces will jolt the ladder frame chassis with some vibrations, but 90% of the time, one would find no reason to complain about how the D-Max rides overall. 

Lest we forget that we're talking about a truck here, the refinement levels on this D-Max are remarkable. On regular Malaysian roads, wind and tyre noise were impressively suppressed. When driven on similar roads, the D-Max feels much more refined than the Hilux and Triton, if a little less so than the Ranger, subjectively to our ears, at least.

Rear space is is also very decent, and will fit two adults comfortably. More impressively, the seats can fold down in a 60:40 split, something its rivals cannot boast of having. For practical reasons, having such a feature is immensely useful. 

In fact, the D-Max's refinement is only interrupted by the clatter of the 3.0-litre turbodiesel unit. On this note, the Triton's 2.4-litre engine takes some beating in terms of quietness. Even so, this is more of a testament to the D-Max's peerless insulation rather than the engine being very noisy. 

From a driving environment that had about 50% highway driving and 50% urban driving, the D-Max X-Terrain consumed 11.24 litres of fuel over a distance of 135.2 km. That works out to be an average figure of 12 l/km.

This is quite close to the figure displayed in the trip computer, which read 11.5 l/km.

If you’re looking for a pickup that’s reliable, solid and built to last, then you can’t go wrong with the Isuzu D-Max.

More importantly, it bears the Isuzu nameplate which in the Philippines has earned a reputation for diesel engines that don’t give up easily. The D-Max has come a long way from being just a basic utilitarian pickup to a modern day workhorse, equipped with all the latest technological and safety features.