Revised Name, Revised Offering – The new Isuzu D-MAX 3.0 4x4 Double Cab

By Chad Lückhoff

Despite the allure of a whole new name, the new Isuzu D-MAX is still the same dependable offering that used to go under the KB nameplate.

With the recent changes to the running of the Isuzu brand in South Africa, it's good to see that there is still a commitment to the local market and that there are no plans to do away with the brand's rugged and dependable offerings just yet.

In the name of progress, Isuzu has elected to bring what was formerly known as the KB-series inline with the global market and the 2019 update sees the age-old KB title dropped in favour of the more prolific D-MAX name. We hopped behind the wheel for the new Isuzu D-Max 3.0 TD double cab 4x4 LX auto to see what's changed.

Styling

While much still looks the same with the new Isuzu D-MAX, there are a few telltale signs that things have been revisited and updated.

Up front is where you will see the greatest changes to the appearances with a new chrome grille serving between the updated Bi-LED projector headlamps. While their shape remains the same dragon-style design as before, new chrome embellishments set them apart from the outgoing model.

The fog lamps receive a similar chrome bedazzling treatment while the omission of side repeaters, now moved into the wing mirrors, cleans up the side profile.

The Drive

It's not only cosmetic and name changes for the new D-MAX, but there's also some tweaking under the skin as well. The engine remains the same, but it's the gearboxes that have felt the might of the upgrade wand.

A new 6-speed manual or new 6-speed automatic gearbox finds it way under the double cab and having sampled the 6-speed auto, we can report that the shifts are indeed smoother and more finely tuned than those that one would get from the retired 5-speed unit.

Performance

The engine remains unchanged though, and that's good news for fans of the KB 300 D-TEQ. It's still the same 130kW and 380Nm turbodiesel inline-four-cylinder that we've come to love and appreciate. Low down torque is still impressive and while the engine will run out of puff higher up in the rev range, there's seldom a need to wring it out past 3500rpm.

Space and Comfort

Revisions have been made to the interior as well, with not so much a redesign as a rethink of the materials used in the trimmings.

The instrument binnacle receives some soft touch trimmings while the rest of the interior sees a revised material serving the purpose with piano black accents and chrome toggles for the air vents and their controls. The chromes dashes extend to the door handles and locking mechanisms.

The new D-MAX benefits from the new 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system as found in the MU-X. This new unit is rather complicated to use but does offer a surprising amount of settings with full control over the equalizer and speaker staging. You have phase control on the speakers too, with dual zone equalization for near-perfect control over the audio.

Safety

Another new addition to the D-MAX is the inclusion of a Brake Override System. BOS ensures that the throttle plate is shut when braking to shorten emergency braking distances. There's the usual complement of ABS, EBD, Trailer Sway Control (TSC), Hill Descent and Hill Start Assist as per the previous model.

The 3.0-litre D-MAX 4x4 is rated to tow up to 3.5 tonnes.

Fuel Consumption

While Isuzu claims figures of 7.6l/100km on the combined cycle, real-world figures see them sit at a higher, yet still respectable low-9/100km.

Price

The pricing remains rather similar too and this positions it well in the current market for double cab 4x4s. The Isuzu D-Max 3.0 TD double cab 4x4 LX auto retails for R606 400 and that includes a 5-year/120 000km warranty and 5-year/90 000km service plan with roadside assistance.

The Verdict

It seems that the more things change, the more they stay the same. The D-MAX most certainly isn't a revolution in the double cab market but that's fine, customers walking into the Isuzu dealerships are looking for a rugged, dependable workhorse that includes some of the nice creature comforts so that it isn't a chore to drive.

The D-MAX stays true to the KB's legacy and picks up right where it left off. With the revised approach to the local market, it seems that there's still a lot left for Isuzu in South Africa in the coming years.