Newly Enhanced 2021 Isuzu D-Max, Finally Breaching Malaysian Territories

Finally making its appearance in the Malaysian market is the recently launched, all-new third-generation Isuzu D-Max and it has set a new benchmark for the brand in the pickup truck segment.

Isuzu Malaysia has offered the D-Max in seven variants and they are the 1.9L 4×4 MT Single Cab, the 3.0L 4×4 MT Single Cab, the 1.9L 4×4 MT Standard, the 1.9L 4×4 AT Standard, the 1.9L 4×4 AT Premium, the 3.0L 4×4 AT Premium and the top ranging 3.0L 4×4 AT X-Terrain.

Price tags for the newly upgraded Isuzu D-Max starts from RM 88,599, RM95, 538, RM 99,599, RM 106,999, RM 121,549, RM 128,038 and RM 141,938 respectively.

First off, let’s take an overall gander at the pickup, the revamped 2021 Isuzu D-Max has been built with the company’s new Dynamic Drive Platform, which offers better structural rigidity, crash protection, driving stability and improved NVH levels.

Apart from that, the intake system has been raised, thus increasing splashing depth from 600 mm to 800 mm.

Furthermore, the improvements made also include a 30 mm increase in wheelbase, revised rear door apertures that open wider, a 20 mm increase in rear shoulder space, and a seat back angle of 24 degrees.

Design wise, it features a more wedge-shaped silhouette for improved aerodynamics, a larger underbody cover that reduces turbulence, cleaner body lines for smoother air flow, and taller cargo side walls with a slightly restructured cargo bay.

Off-road capabilities are also enhanced with its front underbody section that gets protected with a 1.5 mm-thick steel skid plate, along with an additional 6 mm steel sump guard to protect the chassis through all the rough terrain adventures.

Performance wise, there are two powertrains available. On the two Standard variants, they will be sporting the existing RZ4E-TC 1.9-litre common-rail four-cylinder diesel engine with variable geometry turbo that produces 150 PS of power and 350 Nm of torque.

As for the second powertrain, the upgraded 4JJ3 3.0-litre engine has been fitted into the two Single Cab variants, the two Premium variants and the X-Terrain variant. Making them able to produce 190 PS of power and 450 Nm of torque.

Paired to the mill are two new power transmitters, a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic transmission. Also installed is a shift-by-wire 4×4 selector dial and apart from that both of the gearbox has been fine tuned to provide smoother gear shifts.

Moving on, skimming the variants down, starting with the 1.9L and 3.0L 4×4 MT Single Cab trims. Fitted are halogen reflector headlights with bulb-type daytime running lights, stock front bumper, power adjustable mirrors, 16-inch rims, basic analogue taillights and 1-Din head unit with USB ports.

On the safety aspects, installed are dual airbags, ABS, EBD, hill start assist, hill descent control, traction control system, and seat belt reminders.

Their exterior colour is only offered in a solid Splash White hue. As for additional accessories, the bed liner can be added for RM 950 and the sports bar at RM 1,320.

Next up is the 1.9L 4×4 MT Standard. It can be seen with painted front bumper and wing mirror caps. The illuminations are of halogen fog lamps and can be seen rolling on a set of 17-inch alloy rims with 255/65 tyres.

Aside from that, fixed on both Standard twin-cab trims are 4.2-inch multi-info display instrument cluster, multifunction urethane steering wheel, woven cloth seats, 2-Din head unit with Bluetooth and six speakers, rear air vents and a couple of 1A USB charging ports.

Splurging a little bit more will get you a 1.9L 4×4 AT Standard variant that has bi-LED projector headlights with LED daytime running lights topping the aforementioned equipment.

Colour options, the MT Standard’s exterior comes in Splash White, Mercury Silver and Onyx Black whereas for the AT Standard, it adds on Valencia Orange and Sapphire Blue making it a total of five.

Coming to the 1.9L 4×4 AT Premium. It has been fitted with automatic bi-LED projector headlights, LED front and rear fog lamps, LED combination tail lights, chrome wing mirrors with auto-fold function, 18-inch rims with 265/60 all-terrain tyres.

Inside, on the dash, a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel is located, along with a 7-inch touchscreen head unit that supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and WiFi functions.

Also, differentiating it from the previous models are the eight speakers with ceiling-mounted tweeters that were installed. The upholstery comes in a combination of black leather seats and overall panels finished in premium leather and satin chrome.

Other amenities included are the electrochromic rear-view mirror and dual-zone automatic climate control system, a keyless entry with push-start, welcome lights, reverse camera, and a tailgate assist system.

However, on the safety side, it is only fitted with a passive cruise control, blind spot monitoring system, rear cross-traffic alert, and a total of just two front airbags.

The exterior colour hue encompasses the same five as the 1.9L 4×4 AT Standard, but instead of the Splash White paint it gets a more premium Silky White Pearl as a replacement.

Rolling in after that is the 3.0L 4×4 AT Premium. The upgrades for this variant, topping the aforementioned Standard trim’s list is the larger powertrain equipped under the hood and inside for the driver seat it gets a 6-way manual adjustment function.

Topping the list is the 3.0L 4×4 AT X-Terrain variant. It comes with a special windscreen that cuts infrared light, premium aerofoil wiper blades with integrated windshield washer nozzles, 18-inch dark grey rims with 265/60 all-terrain tyres, a differential lock and remote engine start.

Interior wise, the upholstery gets wrapped with premium brown leather and is also paired with a dark toned headlining to complete the ambience.

Albeit, the other trims have multiple shades of colours, the X-Terrain however, is only made available in two, the Valencia Orange and Sapphire Blue.

An 8-way power adjustable with lumbar support function has been fitted for the driver’s seat. Accompanying it is a steering wheel with tilt and telescopic adjustments. Also present on the dash is a larger 9-inch touchscreen display.

In terms of safety, this top ranging trim comes with seven airbags, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, auto high beam, lane departure warning and pedal misapplication mitigation.

Every new purchase of the new 2021 Isuzu D-Max comes with a five-year or 150,000 km warranty coverage as standard for all the first six variants listed, but for the top ranging 3.0L 4×4 AT X-Terrain however, it’s the only D-Max variant to get a seven-year unlimited mileage warranty coverage.

All in all, during its global release back in 2019, it has garnered a huge fan base and has caused quite a stir for the pickup truck segment in every market it was offered in, thus with it finally breaching the Malaysian territories, it comes to no surprise that the 2021 improved D-Max will do the same.