After eight years of plying the same hardware, Isuzu Philippines finally has some fresh metal to show off: 2021 marks an all-new Isuzu D-Max
Last year we got our hands on the Isuzu D-Max Boondock which was our first Isuzu press vehicle and my god that car blew our minds seeing and driving it in person for the first time, however the last generation came out back in 2011 making it a bit long in the tooth. Thankfully for us Isuzu Philippines has just launched the all-new and improved D-Max and we are here to find out if it is still as charismatic as the old one.
Exterior:
Now pick-up trucks are as hard to differentiate as Alligators and Crocodiles. Think frogs and toads, you get the idea. Isuzu did a bold move while other manufactruers give their trucks big long headlights that look cluttered with the drls, and turn signals all in one unit.
Isuzu has opted to give the New D-max smaller headlights with the turn signals just above the fog lamps, this gives the D-max a unique look wheather your looking at the truck from the rear-view mirror or idling at a car park.
The new D-Max looks like no other truck. The wheels are not as stylish nor as rugged looking but that’s alright, the tail lamps are the bee's kness on this one, Isuzu has blown the competiton out of the water with their new dominat tail lamps. Truck enthusiasts like myself thank Isuzu because they have just elimated the need for aftermarket taillights. Seeing it on the road is to die for.
Interior:
The best interior Isuzu has ever put out by far. Stepping inside blew my mind! Apart from the tall instep, climbing in the driver seat felt like a luxury sedan. Isuzu went all out with the fighter jet gauges that gave me a fizzy feeling. The dashboard is nicely executed and the leathers seats; to die for. My gripe with the previous truck was the window was only automatic when retracting down and you'd have to manually pull on the button going up. But guess what, they are automatic up and down finally.
The infotainment display continues the theme of vast improvement, sporting 9.0 inches of size and a high resolution pixel density to boot. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto works well, though it can take some time to connect properly via Bluetooth. And it doesn’t yet have wireless charging capability to go with it. Comfort-wise, the leather-accented seats give a lot more comfort and support, with a more pronounced bucketed design to sit in. There’s additional adjustability in these new seats (including lumbar support), and it combines well with tilt and rake adjustment through the steering wheel.
Like many other top-spec 4x4 pick-up trucks, only the driver’s seat gets the electric treatment. Improved seat bolstering is a benefit on and off the road, while adjustable thigh support makes a big difference on those longer stints.
Back in the second row, air vents are a welcome addition to the breed, and something not all competitors can boast. That’s helped along by a 12V plug, decent-sized door bins and a flip-down armrest with cupholders.
Leg room and head room are all in good supply, with enough room for two big-boned adults to sit comfortably. Go to three and things get (typically for the segment) a little squeezy. Seat bases can be flipped up and secured, revealing some handy additional storage in the floor. The seat back can also be pulled forwards (via a single strap) to reveal a modest amount of additional storage.
Engine and Performance:
The old 4JJ1-TCX motor was never a slouch it was just behind everyone in terms of horse power and torque. This new truck now fitted with a 3.0 4-Cylinder 4JJ3-TCX engine while not the most powerful in its class, putting out 187HP and 450Nm of torque, put your foot down and it goes and hauls like a stabbed rat. Finally an Isuzu that actually goes when you put your foot down. The new 6-Speed Automatic Transmission is the Desirable one to have, with a built in oil cooler the dmax would tow 3500kg comfortably and reliably. The Rev-Tronic is a responsive system that fills the thrist of a manual gearbox, while being as smooth and sure footed as you would find on any Japanese SUV.
Isuzu has partnered with Mazda with the D-Max and the BT50. I was pleasantly surprised the D-Max is the best handling pick-up truck by far! Go into a corner at speed, the truck is surefooted. Turn the wheel the oposite direction and it turns without the usual drama that pickups posses. I can confidently say that around corners, the D-Max feels zoom zoom. Though good at handling, the ride is stiff when going over unforgiving roads and it leaves us with pain to say, Isuzu can do better!
Safety:
The 2021 D-Max is the first pick-up to achieve a five-star Euro NCAP rating under the latest testing regime, with its heavy emphasis on ADAS as well as fundamental survivability. Which makes it quite significant, as pick-ups go. Standard technology systems starts with a dual-camera sensor system. As the cameras are mounted high on the windscreen things like Autonomous Emergency Braking and Adaptive Cruise Control are available.
Lane-keeping assist includes steering assist which automatically centers the vehicles and works best on highways and freeways. The adaptive cruise control was spot on when following traffic with the exception of a couple kilometers creep over the set limit going down a hill. The blind-spot monitor is handy too when you have a large load in the back, and the automatic speed sign recognition was mostly accurate to the signed speed limits. The only annoyance we had was the default binging from the safety systems, but everything can be tailored via settings on the dash screen (you must be in park to access this screen and not driving).
Verdict:
This is the best Isuzu ever. This truck elevates Isuzu to a level that they have never reached before and we love them for it. I was a die-hard fan of the boondock and was nervous that Isuzu may take away its charisma.
How wrong was I when they have made a truck that feels so luxurious while being able to handle the toughest condtions you can throw at it. Its like wearing a diamond ring under a boxing glove. Drive it till your hearts content, the D-Max begs you to take it on adventures, it begs you to make it a workhorse, it begs you to push it to it’s limits because that is what Isuzu has made this truck for.
The D-Max is a solid step forward when compared with its predecessor. It’s better equipped, smarter to look at, is a more capable work vehicle and is the safest truck in the class, too. We are living in Isuzu's finest hour. Test drive one and you'll know what we’re on about. Its that good.
Variants and Price-list:
3.0 4X4 LS-E AT ₱ 1,825,000
3.0 4X4 LS MT ₱ 1,630,000
3.0 4X2 LS-A AT ₱ 1,390,000
3.0 4X2 LS MT ₱ 1,320,000
RZ4E 4X2 LS AT ₱ 1,309,000
RZ4E 4X2 LS MT ₱ 1,219,000
3.0 LT 4X4 MT ₱ 1,288,000
RZ4E LT 4X2 MT ₱ 987,000
RZ4E 4X2 SINGLE CAB MT ₱ 857,000
Photos By: Glover Reselosa
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