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Isuzu Ute Australia has carried out away with the 1.9-litre turbo-diesel engine in its D-Max ute vary, and changed it with a brand new, extra highly effective and extra environment friendly 2.2-litre diesel engine.
Not solely is there a brand new engine, however there’s additionally a brand new eight-speed automated transmission to go together with it, in each 4×2 or 4×4 drivetrain layouts throughout numerous derivatives, plus a complicated engine idle start-stop system that now additionally accompanies the three.0L engine.
So, is it value contemplating? It actually could possibly be should you’re shopping for a less expensive D-Max… I’ll clarify why on this evaluate.
How a lot does the Isuzu D-Max value?
The brand new powertrain is obtainable in a few totally different variations of the D-Max, however not within the excessive grades.
| Mannequin | Value earlier than on-road prices | Drive-away pricing |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Isuzu D-Max SX single-cab-chassis 4×2 auto | $36,200 | $36,990 |
| 2026 Isuzu D-Max SX crew-cab-chassis 4×2 auto | $42,700 | – |
| 2026 Isuzu D-Max SX crew-cab ute 4×2 auto | $44,200 | – |
| 2026 Isuzu D-Max SX crew-cab-chassis 4×4 auto | $50,700 | – |
| 2026 Isuzu D-Max SX crew-cab ute 4×4 auto | $52,200 | – |
| 2026 Isuzu D-Max X-Rider crew-cab ute 4×4 auto | $59,500 | $56,990 |
Now, the D-Max trainspotters is likely to be pondering, “Hold on a second, wasn’t the X-Rider beforehand supplied with the three.0-litre, not the 1.9?”. You possibly can nonetheless get it with the three.0L if you’d like.
Those self same weirdos (I’m speaking about YOU) are most likely additionally questioning the place the guide gearbox variations are? Nicely, they’re gone. And which means the entry costs have elevated as soon as extra, regardless of the actual fact the base-grade single-cab has an honest drive-away deal on provide.
Additionally gone are the three.0L LS-M dual-cab and three.0L LS-U space-cab fashions, axed as a part of this replace.
And should you’re getting out the abacus and making an attempt to determine what the value variations are between 2.2L and three.0L fashions, take a look at our full pricing story right here.
To see how the Isuzu D-Max stacks up towards its rivals, evaluate it utilizing our comparability device
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What’s the Isuzu D-Max like on the within?
It’s the identical as the prevailing D-Max fashions. However with an idle begin/cease button to disable that tech should you don’t need it on, and should you flick it to guide mode, the present gear indicator goes as much as 8 as an alternative of 6.
That’s it. That’s all that’s totally different. Desire a extra detailed inside teardown? Take a look at our different evaluate protection of the D-Max ute.
With regards to the cargo zone, nothing has modified both.
Sadly, that also means you don’t get a central-locking tailgate on the X-Rider ute, and whereas it does have a gentle tonneau cowl and sports activities bar, it misses out on any type of tub liner. So that you’ll have to buy the equipment catalogue to enhance that.
There are few tie-down factors, however no 12-volt or energy outlet within the tub space. And it isn’t extensive sufficient between the arches to suit an Aussie (1165mm sq.) pallet, so should you want that functionality, you’ll need to both purchase a cab-chassis model and pay additional for the tray you need, or rip the bathtub off the pickup mannequin and pay additional for a tray.
| Dimensions | Isuzu D-Max X-Rider |
|---|---|
| Size | 5280mm |
| Width | 1870mm excl. mirrors |
| Peak | 1785mm |
| Wheelbase | 3125mm |
| Tub size | 1495mm (prime) 1570mm (ground) |
| Tub width | 1530mm (most) 1122mm (between arches) |
| Tub depth | 490mm |
To see how the Isuzu D-Max stacks up towards its rivals, evaluate it utilizing our comparability device
What’s underneath the bonnet?
Right here’s the rub. This new engine is taking the place of the 1.9L, however ups the sport with extra grunt and has considerably higher fuel-efficiency and emissions numbers. However in typical Isuzu style, it doesn’t push the boundaries when it comes to the outputs, and lags behind some others within the class for energy and torque.
| Specs | Isuzu D-Max X-Rider 2.2L |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.2L 4cyl turbo-diesel |
| Energy | 120kW |
| Torque | 400Nm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automated |
| Drive sort | 4-wheel drive |
| Gas economic system (claimed) | 7.1L/100km |
| Gas economic system (as examined) | 9.0L/100km |
| CO2 emissions (claimed) | TBC |
| Gas tank | 76L |
| Weight | 2010kg |
| Payload | 1090kg |
| Braked towing capability | 3500kg |
| Gross automobile mass (GVM) | 3100kg |
| Gross mixture mass (GCM) | 6000kg |
On check within the X-Rider, throughout a mixture of city, freeway, open highway, and stop-start off-road testing, I noticed a displayed return of 9.0L/100km. Good, however anticipate it to be even higher in city/commuter driving, with out off-roading.
And for these of you who’re curious, there’s a swap to show off the engine begin/cease system – but it surely defaults again on every time you soar again in.
To see how the Isuzu D-Max stacks up towards its rivals, evaluate it utilizing our comparability device
How does the Isuzu D-Max drive?
Clearly we’re specializing in the brand new powertrain right here, as a result of it’s the speaking level for this replace.
And in some ways, it’s an enormous step up from the previous 1.9L, which produced 10kW and 50Nm much less, and felt gruff in the best way it behaved in city driving conditions. It had noticeable lag, and the auto transmission was typically a bit jerky.
This powertrain is decidedly smoother, and Isuzu claims that there’s 60 per cent extra torque at 1000rpm in comparison with the previous engine, and that peak torque runs from 1600-2400rpm.
In precept it implies that the powertrain is extra habitable in low-speed driving, and certainly that was the case in my expertise on the launch drive, for probably the most half.
The engine begin/cease expertise that’s been added additionally performs an element, however simply be aware that it can provide the truck a little bit of a shake when it restarts. Fortunately, it can restart if you take stress off the brake pedal, quite than ready to re-fire till you set your foot down on the accelerator.
It does nonetheless have some lag to cope with, nonetheless, and whereas the torque appears extra evident in city driving, the eight-speed auto is a smooth-shifting factor, regardless of at occasions feeling considerably busy.
It’s maybe made to really feel busier than it really is as a result of the engine is loud, which means you’ll be able to’t assist however discover it when the ‘field is shuffling up or down by the gears. Like, I checked if the ute I used to be driving had a snorkel, it was that noisy within the cabin. (It didn’t.)
Throughout off-road testing, the engine and transmission felt completely as much as the duty, and it’s value noting that it runs as a six-speed auto solely in low-range, as seventh and eighth gears are overdrive ratios.
There’s little question the torque band is effectively suited to the tough stuff, and with a rear diff lock commonplace in all 4×4 fashions and Isuzu’s good off-road traction management system – Tough Terrain Mode – it goes additional than many others within the section with none mods.
There aren’t any adjustments to the suspension or steering for the D-Max with this new powertrain, so primarily it’s equivalent from a dealing with, physique management and bump administration perspective.
It’s additionally value noting that the one mannequin readily available to check on the launch occasion was the X-Rider, which scores the softer rear suspension – and it’s a really agreeable machine in that regard, even unladen.
| Off-road dimensions | Isuzu D-Max X-Rider |
|---|---|
| Observe entrance and rear | 1570mm |
| Floor clearance | 235mm |
| Strategy angle | 26.9 levels |
| Departure angle | 23.9 levels |
| Ramp breakover angle | 23.3 levels |
| Wading depth | 800mm |
To see how the Isuzu D-Max stacks up towards its rivals, evaluate it utilizing our comparability device
What do you get?
Purchase the entry-level SX model of the D-Max with a cab-chassis configuration, and also you’ll must think about the price of a tray – the promo deal for the single-cab 4×2 consists of an alloy tray, however all different SX cab/chassis automobiles will want you to spec a tray to swimsuit at additional value.
2026 Isuzu D-Max SX tools highlights:
- 17-inch metal wheels with 255/65R17 Dunlop AT25
- Automated halogen headlights with automated high-beam management
- Automated windsscren wipers
- Heavy-duty urethane steering wheel, transmission selector, and handbrake
- 2x 3.0-Amp USB-C ports (1x in Single Cab and Area Cab fashions)
- 1x 2.4-Amp USB-A port in Stereo Digicam housing for dash-cam
- Vinyl flooring
- Material trim upholstery
- Energy home windows, mirrors, electrical energy steering
- Air-conditioning with Excessive-Effectivity Particulate Air (HEPA) cabin filter and rear air vents (Crew Cab fashions)
- 4.2-inch Multi-Info Show
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment show with tuning and quantity dials
- DAB+ digital radio
- Wired and wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 4-speaker stereo
X-Rider provides:
- Completely different fabric trim upholstery
- Automated Bi-LED headlights with LED daytime working lights (DRL)
- LED fog lights
- Rear parking sensors
- Black (Gloss and Materials) signature Isuzu grille
- Black entrance underbody spoiler
- Darkish gray grille encompass
- Black rear step bar
- Black (Basalt) colored mirrors, door handles and tailgate deal with
- Black B-Pillars
- Darkish gray sidesteps
- Black sports activities bar
- Black loopless gentle tonneau cowl
- Gloss black 17-inch alloy wheels with 255/65R17 Dunlop AT25
- Unique ‘X’ badging on tailgate
- 3-Leaf rear suspension
- Black inside door handles, accents and trims
- Darkish gray and black inside door trims
- Black steering wheel spoke trims
- Black headlining
To see how the Isuzu D-Max stacks up towards its rivals, evaluate it utilizing our comparability device
Is the Isuzu D-Max secure?
All variants of the Isuzu D-Max besides the range-topping Blade model include a 2022 five-star security ranking from ANCAP.
| Evaluation | Isuzu D-Max |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant safety | 86 per cent |
| Youngster occupant safety | 89 per cent |
| Susceptible highway person safety | 69 per cent |
| Security help | 84 per cent |
Isuzu D-Max commonplace security optionsembrace:
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian, bicycle owner detection
- Adaptive cruise management
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Lane departure warning
- Lane-keep help
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Velocity signal recognition
- Trailer sway mitigation
No model of the D-Max with the two.2L engine comes with entrance parking sensors or a encompass view digicam. There’s a reversing digicam, and rear sensors should you spend as much as the X-Rider.
All variations have eight airbags – twin entrance, driver’s knee, entrance centre, entrance aspect, and curtain protection for window seats in each rows.
To see how the Isuzu D-Max stacks up towards its rivals, evaluate it utilizing our comparability device
How a lot does the Isuzu D-Max value to run?
Isuzu Ute Australia gives a six-year, 150,000-kilometre guarantee.
| Servicing and Guarantee | Isuzu D-Max |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 6 years or 150,000km |
| Roadside help | As much as 7 years |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 5 years |
| Whole capped-price service value | $2345 ($469 every) |
The model has a five-year/75,000km capped-price service marketing campaign, which suggests the intervals are 12 months/15,000km.
The servicing prices for the primary 5 years are capped at $469 per go to – the identical value you’ll pay to take care of the three.0L. Service your D-Max with the model and also you’ll rise up to seven years of roadside help included.
To see how the Isuzu D-Max stacks up towards its rivals, evaluate it utilizing our comparability device
CarExpert’s Tackle the Isuzu D-Max
For patrons of budget-focussed D-Max ute fashions, the two.2L shall be a pleasing step up from the previous 1.9L, although possibly not as engaging as the three.0L.
The effectivity features are welcome, and the powertrain is fairly habitable, too. However for loads of D-Max patrons – significantly non-public clients – the attraction of the three.0L will stay, and rightfully so.
CarExpert can prevent hundreds on a brand new Isuzu D-Max. Click on right here to get an incredible deal
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MORE: Discover the Isuzu D-Max showroom
