Isuzu D-MAX 2018 Review

In the Malaysian market, pickup trucks have always been a popular choice for balancing work and family needs. Mid-range models, in particular, with their reasonable prices and practical features, often address the pain points of most users. The 2018 Isuzu D-MAX 2.5L 4x2 MT Hi-Ride is a typical representative of this market segment. Priced at less than RM90,000, it offers Isuzu's signature diesel durability along with advanced standard features far exceeding its peers. Upon its launch, it attracted considerable attention from small business owners and family users alike. Our primary objective with this test drive is to verify whether its performance meets daily needs, its space accommodates family outings, and whether its so-called "high cost-performance" truly lives up to the name.

Seeing the actual vehicle for the first time, the 2018 D-MAX 2.5L 4x2 MT Hi-Ride’s exterior is not particularly eye-catching, but it certainly appears robust. The front features Isuzu's family-style large grille with chrome trim running horizontally across the middle, connecting the halogen headlights on both sides. The addition of daytime running lights gives the front a decent amount of visibility during the day. The side of the body has straight lines, and its 5295mm length paired with a height of 1795mm gives it a substantial feel while not being overly large to the point of complicating parking in urban areas. The rear design is simple, with vertically arranged taillights and a tailgate with handles, making everyday opening and closing relatively convenient. Overall, its design leans towards practicality without unnecessary decorations, aligning well with its role as both a utility and family vehicle.

Opening the door, the interior design also focuses on practicality. The dashboard adopts a symmetrical layout, with most areas covered by hard plastic, but the seams are fairly uniform, without a noticeable cheap feel. The seats are fabric, and the front row offers manual adjustments. While not as convenient as electric adjustments, the range of adjustments is sufficient for most drivers to find a suitable driving position. In terms of features, it is equipped with a keyless entry system, allowing users to get in and out without fishing for the key. The combination of front and rear parking cameras with a rear parking sensor is highly practical for this type of long-wheelbase pickup, effectively reducing parking or reversing blind spots. Notably, the interior is also equipped with a 220V/230V power outlet, which comes in handy for occasionally connecting small appliances.

The spaciousness is one of the highlights of this vehicle. The 3095mm wheelbase belongs to the upper-middle range among pickups in its class. The front row offers ample space, with at least two fists of head and legroom for a passenger measuring 180cm tall. The rear space is equally impressive. A passenger of the same height will find one and a half fists of legroom and adequate headroom without touching the roof. The rear seats support a 60:40 split-folding design. Although they cannot be completely flat, folding them down creates additional storage space, which is convenient for occasionally carrying long items. The interior also has plenty of storage compartments. The central armrest box at the front and the door storage slots offer considerable capacity, making it convenient for daily items like phones and water bottles.

Starting the vehicle, the roar of the 2.5L diesel engine is quite noticeable, but this is common for diesel vehicles and becomes less jarring with time. This engine delivers a maximum horsepower of 136PS, with maximum torque available as early as 1800rpm. Paired with a 5-speed manual transmission, the response during start-up is prompt, requiring just a light press of the accelerator to experience the unique torque output of a diesel engine. When driving in the city, the low-end torque performs well, so even with five people in the car, you won’t feel a lack of power when starting or climbing hills. On highways, acceleration below 80km/h feels quite brisk, but after 100km/h, the power reserves start to feel somewhat lacking. Nonetheless, it is perfectly adequate for daily commuting and occasional highway trips.

In terms of handling, the steering wheel feels relatively heavy, consistent with the tuning style of a pickup truck, but the steering is fairly precise with no significant dead zone. The front suspension adopts a double wishbone independent setup, while the rear suspension is a leaf spring rigid axle design. This combination ensures a good balance between load-carrying capacity and comfort. On flat urban roads, the vehicle demonstrates decent stability, and the suspension absorbs most bumps when crossing speed bumps without feeling overly stiff. However, when encountering continuous uneven surfaces, the rear suspension tends to bounce noticeably, leading to a slightly less comfortable experience for rear passengers. As for braking, the ventilated disc brakes in the front provide sufficient stopping power, and the brake pedal offers linear feedback, inspiring confidence during daily driving.

Fuel efficiency is a key strength of diesel vehicles. During our tests in mixed driving conditions, including city traffic, highway cruising, and some rural dirt roads, the average fuel consumption was approximately 7.8L per 100 kilometers. For a pickup truck weighing nearly 2 tons, this is an excellent performance. Combined with the 76L fuel tank capacity, a full tank can support a driving range of over 900 kilometers, making it highly suitable for long-distance trips without frequent refueling. In terms of noise control, wind and tire noise become quite noticeable at highway speeds, but they remain within an acceptable range and do not disturb normal conversations in the cabin. The seats provide average wrapping but good support, ensuring that passengers won’t feel too fatigued on long journeys.

Overall, the 2018 Isuzu D-MAX 2.5L 4x2 MT Hi-Ride stands out with key advantages: a price of less than 90,000 MYR while offering Isuzu’s reliable diesel engine, spacious interior, and practical features. Compared with competitors like the Toyota Hilux 2.4L E or Ford Ranger 2.2L XL, it is priced lower and offers more features, making it a strong value-for-money option. However, it does have some drawbacks, such as a relatively plasticky interior and average comfort for the rear suspension, but these are within acceptable limits.

This vehicle is most suitable for users who need to balance work and family duties, such as individual entrepreneurs, small business owners, or families who enjoy weekend getaways. It can meet the needs of daily cargo transport while also handling family outings. The 5-year or 150,000-kilometer warranty further ensures peace of mind for users.

In conclusion, the 2018 Isuzu D-MAX 2.5L 4x2 MT Hi-Ride is a very practical pickup truck. It doesn’t offer any fancy designs or unnecessary features, but it excels in providing the space, power, and durability that users need the most. If you’re looking for a reasonably priced, reliable, and versatile vehicle, it would be a great choice.