2021 Isuzu D-Max 3.0 4x4 Premium AT Review

In recent years, the pickup truck market in Malaysia has been gaining traction, not only as utility vehicles but also increasingly being included in the daily commute choices of more family users. As a popular model in the mid-size pickup segment, the 2021 Isuzu D-Max 3.0 4x4 Premium AT positions its core features around performance, a four-wheel-drive system, and practical configurations, attracting considerable attention. This time, through a practical test drive, we conducted a comprehensive test of this vehicle, from static features to dynamic performance, to see if it meets the dual demands of family use and light off-road driving.

In terms of exterior design, this D-Max continues Isuzu's robust styling, featuring strong and angular lines. The large front grille with chrome accents is highly recognizable; LED automatic headlights and daytime running lights come as standard, offering clear visual effects when illuminated and enhancing safety during nighttime driving. The side profile showcases a straight waistline, with 265/60 R18 tire specifications balancing on-road comfort and off-road capabilities. The rear design is simple, with practical placements for rear fog lights and parking sensors; the LED taillights echo the design of the front, giving the overall look a sense of harmony that suits a pickup's purpose.

Stepping inside, the interior is predominantly dark-colored, with extensive use of hard plastic materials, but the build quality is decent and meets the expectations for this class. The dashboard's layout is clear, with a 7-inch touchscreen placed at a comfortable height, offering smooth operation and basic multimedia functionalities. Physical buttons are retained below for air conditioning and volume control, allowing convenient blind operation. In terms of features, highlights include dual-zone automatic air conditioning, rear air vents, and an 8-speaker system, which takes care of rear passengers' comfort. Keyless entry and start, as well as rain-sensing wipers, enhance convenience in daily use. For seating, the driver's seat offers 6-way manual adjustment, and the front passenger seat offers 4-way manual adjustment, providing decent support to avoid discomfort during long drives. The rear seats adopt a 60:40 split design, which can be folded to expand trunk space, making it convenient for loading large items.

Regarding space, the body dimensions are 5265mm×1870mm×1810mm, with a wheelbase of 3125mm. Rear legroom is sufficient for a 175cm passenger, leaving about two fists of space for the knees, and the headroom is also ample, avoiding a cramped feeling. For storage spaces, the door panel slots, central armrest console, and front cup holders offer sizable capacity, making it convenient for storing everyday personal items. Although specific measurements for the truck bed haven't been provided, with a 3.0L engine, it is more than capable of carrying small furniture or outdoor equipment.

For the powertrain, the 3.0L turbocharged diesel engine delivers a maximum output of 190PS and peak torque that kicks in between 1600-2600rpm, paired with an automatic transmission. Power response during start-up is quite immediate, and pressing the accelerator lightly can already give a noticeable sense of acceleration. During city overtaking or highway cruising, the transmission shifts smoothly without obvious jerks. When switched to four-wheel-drive mode, the vehicle shows stable traction on unpaved roads or light off-road terrains, with the hill-start assist function providing extra help during incline starts. Regarding fuel consumption, the official combined fuel consumption is 8.3L/100km, while in practical tests, city driving conditions see a consumption of around 9-10L, and highway conditions can bring it down to approximately 8L. For a 3.0L pickup truck, this performance is considered fairly standard.

In terms of handling and chassis, the front double-wishbone independent suspension can absorb most of the fine vibrations when dealing with bumpy roads, and the impact when crossing speed bumps is not too hard; although the rear suspension uses leaf springs, it is tuned for comfort, so rear passengers won't feel overly intense bumps. The steering wheel has moderate turning force and clear precision, and the car body remains stable during high-speed driving without feeling floaty. Regarding noise control, the diesel engine noise is more noticeable at idle, but once it's running, wind and tire noise are pretty well controlled and do not affect normal conversations inside the car.

In terms of safety features, this model comes standard with ABS, vehicle stability control, lane change assist, front and rear radar, and a rearview camera, covering basic active safety functions; however, there are only two airbags, which is slightly less compared to some six-airbag configurations in its class, so this point should be noted.

Overall, the 2021 Isuzu D-Max 3.0 4x4 Premium AT offers key advantages in terms of performance, the practicality of its 4WD system, and relatively balanced configurations. Compared to competitors in the same class, like the Toyota Hilux or Ford Ranger, it is more cost-effective, and its 3.0L engine provides confidence for heavy loads or off-road scenarios. Features like dual-zone air conditioning and rear air vents are also considerate of family users. It is best suited for individuals who need a vehicle that balances daily commuting and light off-road activities, or for small business owners who occasionally need to load cargo. However, for users pursuing ultimate comfort or more safety features, other models might be worth considering.

Overall, this D-Max is a "practical" pickup truck. Beneath its rugged exterior lies good comfort and power performance, meeting the needs of various usage scenarios. For consumers with a budget of around 130,000 MYR, who need a versatile pickup, it is a worthy choice.