The Isuzu D-MAX is the top-performing diesel-powered vehicle at the DOE Fuel Eco-Run 2025
Even car owners who aren’t going for electrified vehicles like battery electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles, among others, care about how efficient their engines are, especially with the continuous fluctuation of fuel prices.
And for those looking for a fuel efficient pickup truck, the Isuzu D-MAX is an example of one, based on the results of the recent 2025 Department of Energy (DOE) Fuel-Eco Run.
The midsize pickup truck was able to best all other participating turbodiesel-powered models with its 20.63km/Lge (liters per gasoline equivalent) efficiency result. Used for the fuel eco-run was the D-MAX 3.0 LS-A 4×2 A/T variant with its 3.0-liter 4JJ3-TCX turbodiesel engine.
For comparison, here are the results of all turbodiesel-powered participants, including the Isuzu mu-X which shares its powertrain with the D-MAX:
- Isuzu D-MAX LS-A 4×2 – 20.63km/Lge
- GWM Cannon Lux – 18.94km/Lge
- GWM Cannon SLux – 17.77km/Lge
- JAC T8 Pro 4×2 A/T Advance – 17.54km/Lge
- Isuzu mu-X LS-E – 17.11km/Lge
- Mitsubishi Triton Athlete – 16.88km/Lge
- JMC Grand Avenue 4×4 A/T – 15.94km/Lge
- Foton Tunland V7 – 14.48km/Lge
- Foton Tunland V9 – 13.63km/Lge
Previous internal testing by Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) yielded results of 20.58km/l (or 22.16km/Lge) for the Isuzu D-MAX, and 20.94km/l (or 22.55km/Lge) for the Isuzu mu-X. We also did our own internal testing back in 2022 for the Isuzu D-MAX 3.0 LS-E 4×4 A/T which yielded 15.7km/l (or 16.91km/Lge).
“These results reflect what our customers have long experienced with Isuzu vehicles. The exceptional performance of the D-MAX and mu-X comes as no surprise, as the Isuzu brand is globally renowned for fuel efficiency. With our advanced diesel engine technology, combined with the aerodynamic design, both models are optimized to perform efficiently across various road conditions with less drag translating into this impressive fuel economy results,” said Isuzu Philippines Sales Division Head Robert Carlos.
