Updated from the ground up for 2020, the Isuzu D-Max remains the top-selling pickup truck in Thailand. That’s where all the big boys manufacture their mid-sizers, including Ford with the Ranger and Holden with the Colorado for Australia and New Zealand.
As the headline implies, three cabs will be offered once the order books open on October 19th. Be it the regular, space, or crew cab, Isuzu is much obliged to offer customers a four-cylinder turbo diesels with plenty of torque. The RZ4E is the entry-level choice while the 4JJ3 develops 188 horsepower (190 PS) and 332 pound-feet (450 Nm).
A six-speed manual with a pull-ring shift lever is standard but only the 1.9-liter can be matched to an automatic with a downsized torque converter and a lockup clutch with a wide-angle damper. With 148 horsepower (150 PS) and 258 pound-feet (350 Nm) on tap, this engine isn’t too shabby either considering that peak torque is delivered at 1,800 rpm.
Compared to the previous generation, the D-Max with 4x4 comes with a propeller shaft made from aluminum to reduce weight. 4WD models such as the V-Cross Dual Cab specification improve on their off-road capability with an electromagnetic rear differential lock which promises to switch quicker from rear- to four-wheel drive and high to low.
While the exterior may come as underwhelming to D-Max fans, the interior is on a different level from the second generation. One glance and it’s obvious that Isuzu did its utmost best considering how competitive the mid-size segment is, more so if you remember that Mazda will upgrade the BT-50 with know-how from the D-Max for the third generation.
Changes to the frame, suspension, brakes, and steering were also made, combining ride comfort with handling without forgetting about capability. Blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert are two more highlights, complemented by a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that knows how to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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