2022 Isuzu D-Max

Isuzu D-Max 2021-2022 Review

It’s pretty common knowledge that the life cycle for a pick-up truck is usually a lot longer than a passenger car, with a mid-life facelift also being fairly significant than your usual new bumpers and interior change-up job. In the case of the Isuzu D-Max, this latest generation happens to be a huge step forward and a very welcome update.

The first market to get this third generation model was Thailand, back in October of 2019. Thailand is an incredibly important market for Isuzu, so much so that they have huge local operations and production facilities there. This generation also happens to mark a departure from Isuzu’s previous partnership with Chevrolet, now teaming up with Mazda – which means the current-generation Mazda BT-50 is the twin sister of the Isuzu D-Max.

There is a huge variety of options across the range of Isuzu D-Max options, from a 1.9-litre single-cab variant all the way up to a 3.0-litre double-cab X-Terrain premium model.  The prices also vary accordingly, meaning that there’s likely to be an Isuzu D-Max that’s the perfect fit for you.

Isuzu D-Max 2021-2022 Specifications

There are two engine variants on offer when it comes to the Isuzu D-Max: a 1.9-litre turbodiesel engine, and a 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine. The latter has been around for a while, being the powerplant of choice for more serious applications, while the former wears the Ddi Blue Power suffix denoting the more complex, higher technology design.

The output for the 1.9-litre turbodiesel engine is 150 PS and 350 Nm of torque, while the larger 3.0-litre turbodiesel makes 190 PS and 450 Nm of torque. Both of these engines are offered with either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic transmission, depending on the variant of course.

Common dimensions across all the variants are a wheelbase of 3,125 mm, a length of 5,230 mm for the single cab or between 5,195 mm and 5,285 mm for the double cab, and a width that sits between 1,810 mm and 1,870 mm.

Isuzu D-Max 2021-2022 Exterior

There’s no arguing that the Isuzu D-Max has come a long way in terms of looks, adopting many of the niceties that its rivals have in order to make it more appealing beyond a traditional workhorse situation. This is also is reflected in the fact that Valencia Orange and Sapphire Blue are the hero colours, and the exclusive paint options for the Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain variant. Beyond this are the regular muted colours like Mercury Silver, Onyx Black, and Silky Pearl White – of course, depending on which variant you pick.

The single-cab variants are naturally more basic. Unpainted front bumpers, Splash White paint, and steel wheels, multi-reflector halogen headlights, bulb-type daytime runnihg lights, black outer mirrors, black door handles, and the like.

Where you see larger changes are with the Standard variants. The automatic variant gets Bi-LED projector headlights with LED daytime running lights, a matte-grey front grille, a body coloured rear bumper, and 17-inch alloy wheels – all of these also being available with the Standard manual variant except the fancier headlights.

The range topping X-Terrain variant distinguishes itself with 18-inch dark grey alloy wheels, a dark-grey front grille, silver lower front bumpers and roof rails – this of course being on top of the rather obvious stickers on both the side and the rear of the pickup truck.

Isuzu D-Max 2021-2022 Interior

The interior of the Isuzu D-Max has come a long way from its humble beginnings, armed with the ability to appeal to the everyman, and a shifting target demographic that includes customers looking for a lifestyle vehicle rather than just a pure workhorse. If you go for the top-spec X-Terrain variant, you even get a black and brown dual trim setup, with brown combination leather for the seat materials as well.

Isuzu D-Max 2021-2022 Safety Features

If we’re talking about safety in the context of the Isuzu D-Max, then we have to refer to the top-spec X-Terrain variant. Safety here is inclusive of a plethora of advanced items, including Forward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Turn Assist, Pedal Misapplication Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control (with Stop and Go functionality), Lane Departure Warning, Blind Sport Monitor, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

Active safety systems also include your usual alphabet soup of acronyms: ABS with EBD, BA (brake assist), ESC (electronic stability control), TCS (traction control system, HSA (hill start assist), HDC (hill descent control), and ESS (emergency stop signal).

Isuzu D-Max 2021-2022 Strengths & Weakness

While the current generation Isuzu D-Max may look a great deal different from its predecessor, the mechanical powertrain components aren’t too far off what came before – and this isn’t a bad thing. For those not in the know, the Isuzu D-Max has cut its teeth in some of the roughest, toughest situations that a pick-up truck could be put through, and it passed with flying colours.

This has in turn made it a staunch choice for those looking for a reliable workhorse that can keep on trucking, even when the going gets extremely tough. Reliability is important not just for heading off the beaten path, but for performing workhorse duties and being able to get somewhere on time, every time.

Isuzu D-Max 2021-2022 Price

With the price that you pay for the Isuzu D-Max, regardless of variant, you get a five-year, 150,000 kilometre warranty package – with the X-Terrain variant getting an even longer seven-year unlimited mileage warranty – both being manufacturer backed. Pricing starts at RM 88,599 for the 1.9-litre single-cab, and slowly progresses from there. The 3.0-litre single-cab (MT) goes for RM 95,538, the 1.9-litre double-cab standard (MT) comes in at RM 99,599, the 1.9-litre double-cab standard (AT) goes for RM 106,999, the 1.9-litre double-cab premium (AT) goes or RM 121,549, the 3.0-litre double-cab premium (AT) goes for RM 128,038, and the range-topping 3.0-litre double-cab X-Terrain (AT) runs you RM 141,938.

Isuzu D-Max 2021-2022 Features

Similar in vein to safety items, the best Isuzu D-Max for features is going to be the X-Terrain. This range topper gets automatic headlights, the e-LUMAX meter panel, a 4.2-inch TFT LCD colour display for the instrument cluster, a nine-inch touch screen infotainment system with USB, Bluetooth, WiFi, MirrorLink, Miracast, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity, an eight-speaker sound system with roof speakers, automatic dual-zone climate control with rear vents, USB charging ports for both the front and the rear, and eight-way power adjustable driver seats.  Keyless entry and start, as well as remote engine start are provided from factory too.

Naturally most of these items will be omitted from the cheaper variants of the Isuzu D-Max, but you can’t really expect much in the way of luxury features when paying entry level prices. At the very least, the entry-level single cab models still get power windows with automatic wind down for the driver side – a nice touch compared to manual windows.

Isuzu D-Max 2021-2022 Fuel Consumption

If there’s one thing that Isuzu loves to do, it’s to prove just how efficient their pick-up trucks are by throwing them into some pretty extensive fuel economy challenges. The 1.9-litre turbodiesel variants are capable of returning up to 7.2 litres per 100 kilometres of diesel, which translates to roughly 13.7 kilometres per litre. There are no manufacturer quoted figures for the larger engine variant as of yet.