There hasn’t been a year where the pickup market wasn’t buzzing with activity. If it’s not the arrival of an all-new model, it’s the launch of a facelifted version. So far this year, we’ve seen several entries from China enter the hotly contested segment.
The Japanese establishment is well aware of this. With that, Isuzu steps up to the plate with the updated D-Max. Or should we say will step up to the plate? Months after the facelifted model made its world premiere, the new Isuzu D-Max is finally ready to make its local debut. It’s set to be shown on June 20, 2024 at the SM Mall of Asia Central Atrium.
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The full specs have yet to be confirmed, but we can expect the new look. It features a more aggressive fascia with redesigned headlights and a bolder grille. Should the local version follow Thailand’s lead, there will be two ‘faces’ of the new model, one for the standard version (LS and LT), and the two-tone scheme for the higher-spec LS-E variants.
Also changed in the new model are the rim designs for all variants. The cladding seen in LS-E models get a more intricate design, and the tail lights get what Isuzu calls the ‘Triple Armor’ look.
We’re crossing our fingers that the new Philippine-spec D-Max gets the overhauled instrument cluster. The instrumentation is repositioned, and the driver information display features a new and fresher look. A larger infotainment screen is also seen in the facelifted version and we hope that we see it in the local version too. A neat feature we’d like to see here are the heat-deflecting CoolMax seats.
As we’ll most likely source our D-Max from Thailand, the engines will likely be carried over from the current version. It’s a choice between the 1.9-liter RZ4E or 3.0-liter turbodiesel. If so, power ratings are unchanged from 148hp and 350Nm and 189hp and 450Nm. Here’s to hoping that it finally gets the rear differential lock it always deserved. Expect a bit of a price bump for the new model as well.
