UPDATE: we have now driven the new 2017 Isuzu D-Max – to read our first review of this latest model click here!
Isuzu has at last announced the pricing and trim level details for its updated D-Max pickup truck.
Starting at £15,749, it will make its UK debut at the 2017 CV Show on 25 April. Order books officially open on the same day, though if you’re really keen you can already register your interest on the Isuzu website.
Latest 2017 Isuzu D-Max news
This is not an all-new D-Max but an updated version of the existing model. We’ve detailed the changes below, but the biggest one is the replacement of the current 2.5-litre turbodiesel with a brand new 1.9-litre unit.
This is said to be much more refined, while retaining the D-Max’s legendary towing capability – which is officially rated at the legal maximum of 3.5 tonnes.
Parkers full review of the Isuzu D-Max
Living with it: real world test of the outgoing Isuzu D-Max
2017 Isuzu D-Max pricing, model range and standard equipment
Isuzu has elected to keep the same range structure as before, but has tweaked the standard equipment. This has led to an increase in pricing – which varies according to model between £250 and £1,650.
Entry-level is the Utility spec; built for work it offers the widest choice of bodystyles (single, extended and double cab). Priced from £15,749 (on the road but excluding VAT), it costs £250 more than before and comes with the following standard equipment:
- LED daytime running lights
- Hill Start Assist
- Hill Descent Control
- Bluetooth
- Electric windows
- Air-conditioning
First of the ‘lifestyle’ models is the Eiger, available as a double cab only. At £20,499 – a £500 increase – this includes the following extras:
- Reversing camera
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- Body-coloured bumpers
- Six-speaker audio system with CD player
Yukon is the next lifestyle step, and the only one available in extended as well as double cab configuration. It too starts at £20,499 – another £500 increase – and adds this extra kit:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Silver side steps
- 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- LED rear lights
- Cruise control
- Rear load liner
- Leather steering wheel
The Utah doublecab sees the biggest jump in price, rising £1,650 to £24,169 – but you do get a lot of standard equipment:
- Keyless entry and go
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Satellite Navigation
- DAB radio
- Roof bars
- Leather upholstery
- Heated front seats
- Rear parking sensors
- Automatic air-conditioning
Finally, Blade returns as the top of the regular D-Max range. At £26,499 the prices increase is back down to £500, with the following extras over the Utah:
- 9.0-inch infotainment screen
- Remote-locking lower tailgate
- Puddle lamps
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Colour-coded Aeroklas canopy or sports bar with roller cover
- Tinted windows
Strong value and a long warranty
Building on the D-Max’s existing strengths, these equipment levels offer plenty of value for your money.
And as before, the D-Max also comes with a five-year, 125,000-mile warranty. Service intervals 12,000 miles or 24 months (whichever is sooner), and you get five-years’ breakdown recovery as well.
Will the 1.9-litre D-Max tow as well as the old 2.5-litre model?
The new 1.9-litre engine produces 164hp and 360Nm of torque – the latter can usefully be referred to as pulling power, as it’s really what helps get heavy loads moving.
Critically, that’s 1hp more than old 2.5-litre engine, but 40Nm less. Which may have some operators worried.
We’ve spoken to Isuzu, however, and a senior management figure told us it has recently pitted the new engine against every rival pickup currently on sale at a UK test track – by having them all tow another D-Max on a trailer up a severe incline, while also carrying 500kg.
‘We were delighted with the result,’ he said.
We’ll be able to make up our own minds when we drive the 2017 D-Max in early April.
Little change from the outside
As part of the model update, Isuzu says it has made the front bumper, grille and headlights ‘more aggressive’ for 2017.
As detailed above, there are also new LED daytime running lights, plus a new design of 18-inch alloy wheel for top-spec variants.
More details about the new 1.9-litre engine with 164hp
The “downsizing” trend has been sweeping the automotive industry for some time now, and pickups are far from immune.
We’ve already seen other manufacturers switch to smaller engines in an effort to boost fuel economy and efficiency, and Isuzu is jumping on the (presumably now quite crowded) bandwagon with its new 1.9-litre turbodiesel engine.
Replacing the noisy old 2.5-litre engine fitted at present, this engine is badged Ddi Blue Power in other markets where it produces just 150hp. However, as we predicted, Isuzu has confirmed a more powerfui version for the UK with 164hp and 360Nm of torque.
Since the new engine is said to be 20% lighter than the old one, it seems likely the combined payload and towing rating will actually increase for the new model.
Improved efficiency for Euro 6
The new engine should also prove cleaner and more efficient, perhaps even close to matching the class-leading 159g/km emitted by the Euro 6 Nissan NP300 Navara.
Fuel economy for the 150hp engine is quoted as a 19% improvement, which could mean as much as 43mpg.
Although we’re yet to see any figures for the 164hp version, Isuzu has confirmed the new D-Max meets Euro 6 without the need for an AdBlue tank.
New manual and automatic transmissions
The new 1.9-litre engine is said to be far quieter than the old 2.5, and it’s helped here by two brand new gearboxes.
For the first time both the automatic and the manual transmission options will have six speeds; both are also claimed to be much more user-friendly than the somewhat agricultural ‘boxes they’re replacing.
Extra infotainment on the inside
While the overall layout of the interior hasn’t changed much, there are a couple of updates in the gadget department.
The new Isuzu Connect World infotainment system, designed in collaboration with Pioneer, replaces the existing stereo. This includes a new 8.0-inch display screen with larger, more user-friendly graphics. The associated sound system features roof-mounted loudspeakers, which is rather novel.
An Isuzu Insight economy driving app will also be available for download onto smartphones. When connected to the on-board computer this aims to provide the owner with feedback to improve their driving efficiency.
Practicality is set to remain
Most existing customers, who generally buy the D-Max for its no-nonsense practicality and are unlikely to care about smartphone apps, will be more concerned that Isuzu hasn’t thrown out the hardwearing, easy-to-clean plastics in pursuit of a wider audience.
We’ve been assured that Isuzu hasn’t lost sight of its core market, and that these buyers won’t be disappointed with the upgrade. They should, however, find themselves more comfortable and slightly less deaf, as the new engine and gearbox combinations are considerably more refined.
We rate the D-Max highly as a workhorse. But while chasing lifestyle buyers is increasingly important in the pickup segment, unless Isuzu remains true to its existing strengths it may start to lose ground to the likes of the VW Amarok.
After all, the Volkswagen has just been ‘upsized’ from its original 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine to a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine. This has the same 3.5-tonne official towing rating, but as much as 550Nm of pulling power. Which is 190Nm more than the D-Max…
Read the full review of the Isuzu D-Max on Parkers Vans
