The 3rd generation Isuzu D-Max which debuted in late 2019 has just been refreshed for the 2023 model year, with updates in terms of aesthetics as well as equipment.
Exterior revisions for the 2023 D-Max include a revised grille that ditches the vertical elements of the outgoing design, new rear combination lamps, and a new alloy wheel design. The X-Terrain version gets a dark grey finish for the roof rails, door mirrors, door, and tailgate handles, front bumper, side steps, and over-fenders, plus silver finishing for the lower bumper garnish.
Inside, the leather upholstery for the X-Terrain and Premium variants gets a new design and is finished in black, plus black soft-touch surfaces, and for the X-Terrain in particular, interior trim sections in a Café Brown metallic finish. Infotainment continues to be through the nine-inch touchscreen that provides Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wired connectivity, along with Bluetooth.
The wireless phone charger now gains a power switch with an LED status indicator just ahead of the charging pad and is specified on the X-Terrain, Premium, and Auto Plus. The X-Terrain and Premium also gain a 2.1A USB Type C charging outlet. The X-Terrain range-topper gets blue interior ambient lighting as well as front and rear digital video recorders, with the front camera recording at up to 1440p and the rear camera at up to 1080p to a supplied 64GB memory card, and footage can be transferred via WiFi through a smartphone app.
Related: Isuzu D-Max Thumping Sales in the Malaysian Market
In terms of safety, the 2023 Isuzu D-Max range gets as standard (for the 4X4 Single Cab and 4X4 Standard) two airbags for the driver and front passenger, ABS, EBD with brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, hill-start-assist, hill-descent-control, brake override, emergency stop signal, seat belt reminder for all seats and a rear differential lock.
The 1.9L 4X2 Auto Plus adds a reverse camera displayed on the 7-inch touchscreen head unit, while the Premium adds ADAS features with a blind spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert. The range-topping X-Terrain brings the full complement of ADAS featuring forward collision warning, AEB, turn-assist, pedal misapplication mitigation, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beam, lane departure warning, manual speed limiter, and multi-collision brake in addition to blind spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert, while passive safety kit brings a total of seven airbags in this top variant.
The 2023 Isuzu D-Max range in Malaysia is priced from RM94,949.20 (PKR 56.88 lac) for the 1.9L 4X4 MT Single Cab and RM101,888.40 (PKR 61.04 lac) for the 3.0L 4X4 MT Single Cab, followed by the 1.9L 4X4 MT Standard at RM104,099.20 (PKR 62.37 lac) and the 1.9L 4X4 AT Standard at RM111,499.20 (PKR 66.80 lac).
Related: Isuzu D-Max Continues to Thrash Toyota Hilux in Thailand
The 1.9L 4X2 Auto Plus is priced at RM105,499.20 (PKR 63.20 lac), while the 1.9L 4X4 AT Premium and 3.0L AT Premium are priced at RM129,149.20 (PKR 77.37 lac) and RM135,638.40 (PKR 81.26 lac), respectively. Lastly, the range-topping 3.0L 4X4 X-Terrain is priced at RM150,938.40 (PKR 90.43 lac).
In Pakistan, we still get the 2nd generation D-Max which sits at the extreme bottom of domestic sales charts. During the first 7 months of this fiscal year, only 145 units of Isuzu D-Max were able to find buyers, rendering a monthly sales average of just 20.7 units. This is 46% less than the 271 units that were sold during the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year, at a monthly sales average of 38.7 units.
The 2023 Isuzu D-Max in Malaysia
A computer animation professional with over 23 years of industry experience having served in leading organizations, TV channels & production facilities in Pakistan. An avid car enthusiast and petrolhead with an affection to deliver quality content to help shape opinions. Formerly written for PakWheels as well as major publications including Dawn. Founder of CarSpiritPK.com
