Isuzu has given its D-Max a midlife refresh with more equipment along with mild cosmetic changes to keep the popularity of this Ute intact. Revealed in Thailand, expect the new D-Max Ute to land on our shores in the coming months. It’s not a blink-and-you-miss-it kind of update though as the changes are easily identified and freshen up the look with a more aggressive-looking grille finished in black chrome alongside new LED lights that are slightly slimmed down.
Elsewhere there’s a new bumper design and the top-end trim gets a new matte design for the alloys and wider wheel arches. The rear styling meanwhile has a new lighting signature pattern with a three-block design.
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Bigger changes are found on the inside with an eye on ramping up the ambience with new upholstery colours and bigger screens. It starts with a new 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen while analogue dials also surround a new 7.0-inch driver display.
Isuzu has also removed some button clutter with easier-to-use dials along with more touch-sensitive controls. The equipment list too is swollen with added features like USB-C ports, ventilated front seats, paddle shifters and wireless Android Auto connectivity.
Some form of driver assistance features also appear here with a rear cross-traffic alert system plus adaptive cruise control now offered on the manual version.
Mechanically things stay the same which means the 147bhp / 350Nm 1.9 litre turbo diesel and the 187 bhp/450Nm 3.0 litre four-cylinder unit remain. Interestingly, Isuzu has confirmed that a battery-powered D-Max Ute is in the works for markets like Europe and it might also be offered here in Australia should our infrastructure improve.
Finally, Isuzu has also added the ‘rough terrain mode’ which transfers torque to the wheels that need the most traction during extreme off-road situations while also engaging the rear differential lock.
Given its popularity here, the facelifted D-Max would be priced competitively although a nominal price increase is expected owing to the added features.
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