Next-gen Isuzu D-Max – What you can expect

The next-generation Isuzu D-Max will launch in South Africa in the second quarter of 2022, Isuzu South Africa told TopAuto.

With the current D-Max being the second best-selling bakkie in the country, there are undoubtedly many Isuzu fans that can’t wait for the new model to arrive.

Unfortunately, Isuzu South Africa has said very little about what the bakkie will offer, except that the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine from the mu-X SUV will also be available.

The bakkie is on sale in the United Kingdom, though, with the models from this region giving us a good picture of what to expect before the next-gen D-Max launches locally.

Specifications

In the UK, the third-generation D-Max is available in four trim levels – Utility, DL20, DL40, and V-Cross, with DL denoting the models that have a rear diff-lock as standard.

It is reasonable to expect that the bakkie will also be offered in multiple specification grades in South Africa, as the new mu-X that shares its platform has three options, while the current D-Max has five.

For the UK versions, standard equipment includes automatic headlights with high beam assist, automatic wipers, speed-sensitive power steering, DAB radio, and a stop-start system.

Moving to the DL20 adds heated front seats, rear parking sensors, and body-coloured bumpers – while the DL40 gets you bi-LED headlights, a reverse camera, leather upholstery, and a 7-inch infotainment display.

The top-of-the-line V-Cross then sees exclusive design elements on both the inside and outside, with a 9-inch touch display and a “smart leather interior” included.

The entire range is also equipped with autonomous emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, an intelligent speed limiter, and lane departure warning and prevention.

The double cabs get rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, and emergency lane keeping, too.

We don’t anticipate the South African D-Max models to be this extensively specced as standard, as it would likely make the bakkies too expensive.

However, we do expect most of these features to be available throughout the range locally – like they are on the mu-X.

Engines

Isuzu South Africa confirmed that the 3.0-litre, turbo-diesel engine in the mu-X will be available in the new D-Max line-up, and rumour has it that a 1.9-litre turbo-diesel option will be available, too.

In the mu-X, the 3.0-litre delivers a respectable 140kW and 450Nm, allowing a combined fuel consumption of 7.6l/100km, but it’s not yet known if it will have the same output when bolted to the bakkie.

In the UK, the 1.9-litre puts out 121kW and 360Nm, while a manual or automatic six-speed gearbox sends power to the wheels – allowing a maximum payload of one tonne and maximum towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes.

The new D-Max is also expected to be available in 4×2 and 4×4 specifications, as well as single, extended, or double cab styles.

As with the current generation D-Max, there is an Arctic Trucks version of the third-gen bakkie that will be made.