2021 Isuzu D-MAX 3.0 LS-E 4×4 – The Perfect Truck?

Earlier this year in February, Isuzu Philippines invited us to an advanced video and photo shoot of the all-new 2021 Isuzu D-MAX in Tagaytay Highlands. The place was perfect with smooth asphalt uphill and downhill curvy roads and proper lane markings, extremely light vehicle traffic, perfect backdrop for photos and videos, and cool weather. Fast forward a couple of months later, we once again had the keys to the 2021 Isuzu D-MAX in its top-spec 3.0 LS-E 4×4 form.

No more perfect filming location of Tagaytay Highlands, summer now in full effect, we now have it with us in the real world. With us now having this opportunity, does the Isuzu D-MAX still perform as good as we thought back when we first had it before launch?

• 

• 

Exterior

Looking at the exterior, the D-MAX, especially in its top-spec LS-E variant is definitely still the looker. The front fascia screams so much character with its double-fanged grille finished in gunmetal gray, an Isuzu design signature. The LED headlights with LED daytime running lights add to its emotional face. LED fog lights and regular incandescent turn signals can be found on the bumper. I was and still am hoping that Isuzu soon upgrades the latter to LEDs as well. If you look below the bumper, you’ll also find a metal skid plate which will be very helpful when off-road.

• 

• 

Moving to the side shows off the D-Max’s bulkier and more muscular appearance with its large overfenders and 225 mm of ground clearance. The look is a bit simpler than the front fascia would suggest but it looks perfect for a pick-up truck. By the way, the overfenders, running boards, door handles, side mirrors, and even the top of the bed are all painted with a similar gray color finish as the front grille.

• 

• 

• 

The rear of the D-Max is where Isuzu didn’t do as much to distinguish it from the previous generation, especially on lower variants. In this case though, while the shape of the taillights remains very similar, it still looks a lot better with its four different LED squares. This LS-E also gets a rear fog light taking the place of the left reverse light. Overall, Isuzu has definitely done a good job with the 2021 D-Max. It could actually be the best looking in the segment and many people will probably agree with me.

Interior

• 

Opening the doors to the D-Max LS-E will welcome you to what is probably the most premium looking and feeling interior among all pick-up truck models available in the country today. In all honesty, it’s not something you would expect to see in an Isuzu, a brand known for everything utilitarian. The quality and feel of the new D-Max’s interior is definitely something like that of the Ford Ranger, or even better, where the Ford probably has the best interior quality among all pick-up trucks. 

• 

• 

• 

Exclusive to the LS-E is a two-tone black and brown interior color combination. You’ll find that the dashboard is covered on top with a nice brown leather with real stitching. The same brown leather can be found on the door panels and on the seats, giving the D-Max the very premium vibe mentioned earlier. 

• 

Speaking of the seats, they’re oh so comfortable. The design actually reminds me of the seats you’ll find in a Ford Ranger Raptor. They give lots of support from your lower body, all the way up to your shoulders. They will nicely hug you in place so you won’t find yourself sliding in your seat and moving left and right when the road gets rough. The rear seats on the other hand are something you’d find on par with the Nissan Navara which has a very comfortable rear bench. The rear bench here on the D-Max provides a good amount of much needed thigh support and the seatback is also reclined just enough to give you comfort though it still won’t be the best place to be in on very long drives. 

• 

Practicality

Practicality is a very strong suit of the Isuzu D-Max. On the dashboard you’ll find a decent storage cubby with a cover, unlike on most of its competitors that leave the cubby open. The passenger side of the dashboard also has a large storage compartment complementing the glove box below it. Cupholders are plentiful with those on the doors able to hold reusable bottles and same goes for the back.

• 

• 

In terms of space, the D-Max provides well even in the second row. I’m 5’7” ½ in height and space was not a problem at all. Rear passengers will also love the presence of rear climate vents which is not a common feature in the segment.

• 

• 

In terms of cargo loading, the Isuzu D-Max still has a lot to offer as it should be. The bed is slightly larger than the previous generation’s at 1,570 mm of length, 490 mm of height and 1,530 mm of width. Do note that the width is exactly the same as on the previous model. Isuzu Philippines does not provide the exact payload and towing numbers of the D-Max but a quick look at those from other markets peg them at 1,065 kg and 3,500 kg respectively. Other sources do put the payload at around 1,100 kg.

Technology and Safety

• 

Tech is no weak point for the Isuzu D-MAX. Standard on most of the lineup is a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. If I’m not mistaken, the unit itself is made by AVT and its interface interestingly looks very similar, if not the same with some Suzuki vehicles from the radio to the menu, and even the clinometer. By the way, sound for the infotainment is sent through 8-speakers. Two of the eight speakers can be found on the ceiling and is noted with ‘Live Surround Sound’ which should make the music listening experience here better though we weren’t able to try the sound system as much. Other standard features are dual-zone automatic climate control, a shift-on-the-fly 4×4 selector knob, and smart keyless entry with push button start.

• 

• 

• 

One of the Isuzu D-MAX’s biggest upgrades is in terms of safety. It’s fully-loaded with the usual passive safety features which are Dual Front Airbags, Side and Side Curtain Airbags, Driver’s Knee Airbag, Anti-lock Brakes, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Brake Override System, Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control, Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control, Rain-Sensing Wipers, and ISOFIX Childseat Anchors. 

• 

• 

Not only that, being the top-spec variant, it’s also fully-loaded with active safety features, also known as Advanced Driver-Assist System or ADAS. These features 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. Keep reading to find out what I think of these features.

Engine

• 

Looking at the D-MAX’s spec-sheet, you’ll definitely notice how it has the largest engine you can currently get in the segment. The LS-E 4×4 variant is powered by a 3.0-liter 4JJ3-TCX Blue Power turbo diesel engine.  What it does not offer are larger output numbers compared to its competition. Despite having a larger engine, it produces slightly smaller numbers at 187 horsepower (190 PS) and 450 Nm of torque, paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission. That should allow for better long-term reliability though as the vehicle will be pumping out less from a larger engine. With that in mind, will its performance feel weaker than its competition or is it still as good? Continue reading.

Driving and Comfort

When we first drove the Isuzu D-Max in Tagaytay Highlands a few weeks before the official launch, we were amazed at how it performed but we did forget the fact that the place was perfect. No road imperfections, no traffic, no road obstacles. So now it was finally time to take it out in the real world. 

Let’s talk engine, on the initial get go, the 3.0-liter turbodiesel of the D-Max feels just like we did during our first drive. Despite being one of the lower powered engines in the segment, it does not feel that way. Tap on the accelerator and the engine responds immediately with no hesitation. The same goes with the transmission which shifts really smoothly. I did notice though that the transmission makes the acceleration feel a little bit slower than others because of the longer shifting ratios, being only a 6-speed automatic. In terms of steering feel, it’s not Ford Ranger light at all, far from that, but rather weighted. It’s not heavy, no. It’s just right. Surely though, it’s definitely lighter than the previous generation and that extra weight does allow for more driving confidence while taking turns where the D-Max also performs well with minimal body roll.

• 

Ride quality is where the D-Max falls short a bit with a rather stiff ride on bumpy roads but I can’t really complain considering that I was driving a workhorse. Same for the engine noise where a lot of it found its way into the cabin, at least the engine note sounds good. Overall NVH insulation is excellent with only minimal road noise entering the cabin at higher highway speeds. It’s still definitely one of the better options in the segment when it comes to road manners

Due to the current restrictions we still have due to COVID-19, we weren’t able to take the D-Max heavy off-roading. We did get a spot for our video review with a good rocky road where we were able to try it out for a bit. On that kind of rocky road, the D-Max definitely works very well, especially with the way the suspension was tuned. It was able to soak up all the imperfections from the rocks with ease and comfort unlike when we brought a 4×2 truck before to the area which found us shaking and swaying a lot. Also good to note that while traversing the rough road, no rattles can be heard inside the cabin, proving its good build quality.

When it comes to fuel economy, the D-Max is still a decent performer. In a span of four days, we got an average fuel economy of around 11 to 12 kilometers per liter. That’s pretty good considering that it’s a mix of city, highway, and off-roading. We were able to reach as much as 15 km/l on the highway and around 9 km/l purely inside the city.

Conclusion

• 

The 2021 Isuzu D-Max 3.0 LS-E 4×4 is priced at Php 1,825,000. Most buyers will think that it’s a lot of money for a pick-up truck but come to think of it, it’s actually a little bit more affordable than the segment king, the Toyota Hilux, the top-spec Conquest 2.8 4×4 to be specific. It’s not bare-bones either as the D-Max is definitely fully-equipped in every aspect and that alone is already a good selling-point.

Overall, the Isuzu D-Max may not have the best on-road characteristics, but it definitely gives you a lot compared to its competition. It’s definitely a huge step up compared to the previous generation and will definitely change the game when it comes to pick-up trucks.

Gallery

SUMMARY