IT’S been a long time coming, but it’s finally here: the all-new D-Max. A truck whose development spanned several years’ and millions of kilometers’ worth of testing and prototyping – and it shows. From the moment you start up the engine and take a tug at the steering wheel, it feels nothing like the old one. But in a sea of all-new me-too diesel competitors, can Isuzu’s newest entry shine?
Styling
Even with completely new panels and light fixtures, the new truck looks unmistakably like a D-Max, its toothed grille, carved tailgate and greenhouse looking very similar to the old car. But it’s all couched in slightly more aggressive sheet metal, with a taller hood, more assertive body cuts, and shapelier fender flares replacing the chunky, bulbous ones on the old truck. This is a very vertical truck. Big 18-inch wheels look just right under the plastic flare extensions, but it looks like you can fit a lot more tire if the need arises.
Interior
While the lightweight doors don’t shut with the reassuring thud of a luxury product, such annoyances fade as you soak in the D-Max’s impressive interior ambience. Apart from the logo on the wheel, everything else all new. Gone are the acres of gray plastic, the giant A/C knobs, and the clunky armrests, replaced by something you might find on a nice crossover. While there’s still bare plastic here and there, it is textured in fine grain or hidden under faux-stitched faux leather.
Luxurious-looking winged seats are also covered in faux leather, but with real stitching. They’re nice to sit in, the wings giving great lateral support. While a little more lumbar support wouldn’t go amiss here, the wide range of electric seat adjustments and the tilt-and-telescope steering make it easy to find a comfortable driving position.
Engine performance
However good the new interior is, the biggest headline is the new 4JJ3-TCX four-cylinder diesel engine. While it shares its bore and stroke with the venerable 4JJ1, everything else is different. An all-new block, cylinder head, and lightweight pistons make it more efficient. Double scissors gears reduce timing-chain noise. And a 2,500atm high-pressure fuel system and a new variable geometry turbo increase output to 187hp and 450Nm of torque.
With a six-speed automatic, this allows for 0-100kph in just 10.1sec, on a less than ideal surface.
The six-speed shifts cleanly and smoothly, but the dramatic ramp-up of torque as the engine pulls up to 2,000rpm rocks you back with each shift. Power is a bit soft over 3,500rpm, but I doubt anyone will have trouble overtaking with this motor!
Ride and handling
That heavy 4×4 system makes the ride a bit stiffer than optimal, but the lighter aluminum driveshaft, reduced rear leaf-spring elements, and revised shock mountings help keep the rear axle planted over bumpy roads. We didn’t have much chance to try out the 4×4 system itself. We did drive in the dirt, but not on anything challenging enough to require 4WD. Tight turns are no longer the arm-twirling exercise they once were. While steering ratio is still a rather large 3.8 turns lock-to-lock, a revised front suspension geometry make for a tighter turning circle and quicker steering response.
Verdict
Isuzu’s all-new D-Max is a big step up for the brand, finally matching the frontrunners in terms of power, refinement, and equipment, while still maintaining the brand’s core strengths of durability and economy. Beyond that, the Smart Duo Camera system and the revised chassis give it a leg up over the competition in terms of safety. No other truck can claim a five-star rating on the Euro NCAP, lacking the level of active safety that Isuzu has.(Top Gear PH)
