2021 Isuzu D-MAX 3.0 LS-E 4×4 – First Impressions

The all-new 2021 Isuzu D-MAX has just been launched in the market. Being the Japanese brand’s most popular model in the country, it’s hard to do updates without disappointing people.

Thankfully a few weeks ago, I was one of the lucky few who were able to see and drive the all-new D-MAX ahead of its public launch and through that experience, we can already see what Isuzu has in store for us.

Let’s take a first look at the 2021 Isuzu D-MAX in its top-spec 3.0 LS-E 4×4 variant. If you’re curious about its 4×2 version, click here.

Exterior

• 

• 

• 

First things first, the exterior. Isuzu in all honesty did not take a revolutionary approach in redesigning the D-MAX for its new generation but the result is actually quite dramatic. In front we see a bolder and more emotional fascia. The full LED headlights combined with the gunmetal-gray front grille with fangs on the side give the all-new D-MAX a very aggressive look. LED fog lights are also standard for this top-of-the-line variant. The Valencia Orange exterior color also looks great matched with the dark gray accents found all around the vehicle.

For the rear, I could forgive you for thinking that this is the previous generation D-MAX. The taillights are weirdly almost the same shape, almost looking like they only redesigned the clusters. They are LED by the way and look really good when in use, especially at nighttime. 

• 

• 

One of the bigger criticisms of the all-new D-MAX, at least on social media, are the matte dark gray 18-inch alloy wheels. I personally thought they didn’t look good in pictures but I promise that once you see them in person, they actually look pretty good.

Interior

• 

While the exterior was an evolution of the previous generation D-MAX, the interior is a whole different story. This is where Isuzu went all revolutionary. Everything has been elevated, and feels and looks premium with the brown soft-touch accents on the dashboard and very comfortable seats which are wrapped in perforated brown leather. The 8-way power adjustable driver seat together with the tilt and telescopic steering wheel allowed for a very easy to find and comfortable driving position.

• 

• 

• 

• 

The rear seats are also surprisingly comfortable and are also quite soft just like the front seats. Legroom is typical from a pick-up truck and is good for someone like me with 5’7” of height. Rear A/C vents are standard as well as a USB port, this is one of the few trucks with such features at the back.

• 

Technology and Safety

Smack in the middle of the dashboard is one of if not the largest touchscreen infotainment systems in the segment. At 10.1-inches, it’s very easy to read and use the system. Response is excellent as well as features which of course include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This system by the way is paired to an 8-speaker audio system on this variant which sounds great.

• 

• 

For controlling the air conditioning, there is a dual-zone automatic climate control system. This is exclusive to the LS-E 4×4 and the controls themselves are pretty easy to use with toggles/switches instead of traditional knobs. Thankfully Isuzu has not gone to doing a fully touch-sensitive climate control system.

• 

In terms of safety, the all-new D-MAX could practically be the top of its class. Standard are 7 airbags, anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, brake override system, brake assist, stability and traction control, hill start assist, hill descent control, rain-sensing wipers, and ISOFIX childseat anchors. It also gets a host of driver-assist features known as ADAS or Advanced Driver Assist Systems which are Forward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Turn Assist, Misapplication Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control, Manual Speed Limiter, Automatic High Beams, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Multi-Collision Brake System. These all put the D-MAX at the top of the class with the Ford Ranger Wildtrak 4×4.

Practicality

In terms of practicality, various storage cubbies can be found throughout the DMAX’s interior. A large second glove box can be found on the passenger side of the dashboard while a covered storage area can be found on top in the center. There are also a total of six cupholders just for the front passengers, two on the dashboard, one on each door, and two in the center console. At the rear, storage spaces can of course be found underneath the seat bench and while not large as expected, can still be useful for hiding smaller items.

We don’t have the exact payload and storage capacity yet for the bed of the D-MAX but it does have dimensions of 1,495 mm of length and 1,524 mm of width. 

Engine

• 

Under the hood of the 2021 D-MAX LS-E 4×4 is a 3.0-liter 4JJ3-TCX Blue Power Turbodiesel engine. It produces 190 PS (187 hp) and 450 Nm of torque. Admittedly this isn’t the best in class in terms of numbers with competitors able to have more power and torque (and even the same) with smaller displacement engines. We were able to drive it a decent amount of time so let’s see how it performs.

Driving and Comfort

First a disclaimer. Our time with the all-new D-MAX was quite short at only about a day and a half or even less and this was in a closed environment away from the public, Tagaytay Highlands to be exact. This means we do not have any real-world testing yet but we do hope to give this to you soon.

Anyway, the moment you start the engine, the D-MAX’s 3.0L turbodiesel engine is actually quiet and smooth. Once you do get moving, you hear more of that diesel clatter but it’s nothing like the previous generation. Going up steep inclines is not a problem as the engine’s torque is already readily available at a low 1,600 RPM which is technically where the engine stays most of the time. The engine may get a little loud but you can really feel that the 3.0L is very much capable with no difficulty at all. Steering on the other hand is quite smooth and has the right amount of light. It’s not extremely light like a Ford Ranger, in fact when Isuzu Philippines’ marketing staff asked us about it, we told them that it’s a lot better and that you can actually feel your connection to the wheels.

As for ride comfort, we can’t really tell how it is as the roads inside Tagaytay Highlands are almost perfect with no signs of damage. There were a few rougher patches but the D-MAX proved to be a good performer in that regard, well not as good as a Ranger this time.

Conclusion

• 

Priced at Php 1,825,000, the all-new 2021 Isuzu D-MAX 3.0 LS-E 4×4 is actually on the more expensive side. With what you get though, it’s very much worth it. Despite our very short time with the all-new D-MAX, we can say that we’re actually quite impressed. The improvement over the previous generation is light years ahead from the exterior and interior styling to fit-and-finish and the powertrain. Hopefully we can do some real-world testing to see how it really performs in daily city and highway driving with all the traffic and what not. But overall, we can say that Isuzu is really taking the D-MAX into new heights just like what its tagline says.

Gallery

SUMMARY