2018 Isuzu D-MAX 3.0L 4x4 AT Z-Prestige Review

In the Malaysian pickup truck market, models that can meet daily commuting needs as well as handle light off-roading are always the focus of consumers' attention. The 2018 Isuzu D-MAX 3.0L 4x4 AT Z-Prestige, as a mid-to-high configuration in the series, accurately meets the needs of family users and small business owners with its durable diesel power and practical four-wheel-drive system. In this test drive, we will focus on verifying its performance, space practicality, and daily driving comfort to see if it can strike a balance between a "work truck" and a "family car."

In terms of exterior design, this D-MAX continues Isuzu's rugged family style. The chrome grille at the front is moderately sized, paired with sharp halogen + LED headlights on either side, giving it decent recognizability; daytime running lights and front fog lights come as standard, making it more practical for Malaysia's rainy weather. The side lines of the body are simple, and the 255/60R18 tire specification takes into account both road comfort and light off-road grip. The black plastic cladding around the wheel arches adds a touch of off-road ruggedness. The rear design is relatively plain, with vertically arranged taillights. The combination of reversing radar and front and rear cameras makes it easier to gauge distance when parking.

Sitting inside the car, the overall interior layout prioritizes practicality. The dashboard is primarily made of hard plastic, but the seams are handled quite neatly. A multifunction steering wheel is standard, with buttons on the left side for controlling the audio system and Bluetooth phone functionality, making it easy to operate. The instrument panel adopts an electroluminescent analog design, with clear displays of RPM, speed, and other information. A small screen in the center displays fuel consumption and remaining range. In terms of features, the front row is equipped with single-zone automatic air conditioning, and the temperature adjustment knob has a moderate damping force. The keyless entry and start function is convenient as it eliminates the need to frequently take out the keys. The front row also comes with a 220V/230V power outlet, making it more convenient to charge electronic devices during long-distance trips. The seats are manually adjustable and made of fabric materials, offering good support, although lumbar support is slightly insufficient during long drives. The rear seats support a 60:40 split fold, allowing the trunk's storage space to be expanded when folded down, making it easy to carry long items.

Space performance meets the expectations of a pickup truck. The vehicle's length, width, and height measure 5295mm, 1860mm, and 1795mm respectively, with a wheelbase of 3095mm. The headroom and legroom in the front row are quite spacious. With a 175cm tall test driver seated, there is still a space of approximately one and a half fists above the head. The rear row becomes slightly cramped with three adults sitting, but for two occupants, there is about two fists of legroom and one fist of headroom, which is adequate for daily family use. In terms of storage, the door panels' storage slots can hold two bottles of water, the central armrest box has a decent depth, and there is an open storage compartment below the dashboard, convenient for placing phones and wallets.

In terms of performance, the 3.0L diesel engine has a maximum power of 177PS, with peak torque output available as low as 1800rpm, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. During starts, the throttle response isn't particularly sharp, but after the turbo kicks in (around 1500rpm), the power output becomes smooth and strong. When overtaking during daily driving, stepping on the accelerator deeply provides a noticeable push-back sensation, and running at 120km/h on the highway feels very stable. The driving modes include two-wheel drive, high-speed four-wheel drive, and low-speed four-wheel drive, with a simple toggle switch located below the dashboard. When encountering muddy roads, switching to high-speed four-wheel drive significantly enhances tire grip, making light off-roading no problem at all.

The handling and chassis performance lean towards comfort. The steering wheel has moderate resistance, minimal dead zones, and decent directional stability during highway driving; the front suspension uses double wishbone independent suspension, while the rear suspension is leaf spring (a common configuration for pickups). When driving on bumpy roads in Malaysia, the front suspension can filter out most of the small vibrations, but the rear suspension feels a bit stiff when unloaded. However, when fully loaded with people or cargo, the comfort improves significantly. While cornering, the body roll is reasonably controlled, without giving a sense of instability.

In terms of fuel consumption, we tested it under mixed driving conditions (30% city + 70% highway), and the fuel consumption is around 8.5L/100km. For a 3.0L diesel pickup, this is considered fuel-efficient. Noise control is average—wind noise and tire noise are relatively noticeable at high speeds, but the diesel engine noise is well suppressed. At idle, there is almost no noticeable vibration or noise inside the cabin.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2018 Isuzu D-MAX 3.0L 4x4 AT Z-Prestige lie in its durable diesel powertrain, practical four-wheel-drive system, and spacious interior. Compared to its class competitor, the Toyota Hilux 2.8G 4x4 AT, its price is more affordable (RM 122,800 vs. Hilux’s RM 130,000+), and features like front and rear cameras and a 220V power outlet are bonus points. However, the Hilux has a slight edge in interior quality and rear-seat comfort.

This car is suitable for two types of users: one type is small business owners who need to balance family and cargo transport. The diesel power’s low fuel consumption and high torque can reduce operational costs. The other type is families that enjoy weekend off-road trips; the four-wheel-drive system can handle light off-road conditions, and the rear space can accommodate a family of five for short trips.

Overall, the 2018 Isuzu D-MAX 3.0L 4x4 AT Z-Prestige is a "practical" pickup truck. It doesn’t feature excessive bells and whistles but excels in power, space, and durability, making it a cost-effective choice in the Malaysian market.