Heavily-refreshed Isuzu D-MAX to launch in PH on June 20

The Isuzu D-MAX may have just received its refresh last year for the Philippine market, but another one is already on the horizon, just announced to be launching on June 20, 2024.

Revealed in Thailand last year, this update to the midsize pickup truck is much bigger compared to the one we already received. It gets several styling changes on the outside, as well as some technological advancements which we hope will come here as well.

“This new Isuzu D-MAX will be loaded with features that the market will truly enjoy. It comes from the process of listening to our clients and assessing their needs so that ultimately, we can provide to them a pick-up that is capable to bring them ‘Into New Heights’,” said Isuzu Philippines Assistant Sales Division Head, Mr. Robert Carlos.

Isuzu Philippines has not yet confirmed what new features our local-spec 2024 D-MAX will be getting but they did say that it will be the most advanced version yet with “enhanced safety features, and state-of-the-art technology.”

Looking at the Thai-version which we already saw at the 45th Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS) last March, the 2024 Isuzu D-MAX gets a new front face with softer lines rather than the sharp lines on the pre-facelift version. The headlights are more aggressive with a new shape and cluster design, while the bumper is more angular with new air curtains on the left and right. The front grille is also larger and more modern, with a more subtle double fang design. The side also shows some new overfenders in addition to new alloy wheel designs, and towards the back are new taillight clusters with a three-level L-shaped design. 

The interior on the other hand, while largely the same, gets a new two-tone color scheme. The seats and door panels get a new signature miura fold pattern for a more sophisticated feel. 

On the technology front, we can expect a new 7-inch digital display on the instrument cluster, and hopefully a new 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system which now gets volume and tuning knobs. 

Also updated is the Isuzu D-MAX’s advanced driver-assist system (ADAS) which gets a new stereoscopic camera which now allows it to have pedestrian detection. In addition, Isuzu has also added reverse automatic braking to the list of safety features.

Under the hood of the updated Isuzu D-MAX, we can expect it to have the same engine choices. First is a 1.9-liter RZ4E turbodiesel engine that produces 150 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque. The second is a 3.0-liter 4JJ3-TCX turbodiesel engine that produces 190 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque. Both engines can be had with a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission depending on the variant with the latter now coming with paddle shifters.

Are you excited for these changes to come to the Philippine-spec Isuzu-D-MAX? Well no need to wait much longer. We just hope that all these changes do make it here.