Two days driving Isuzu’s new Gen-3 D-Max through the South Island’s rugged High Country convinced NZ4WD mag Editor Ross MacKay that the company knows a thing or two about building utes.
Right then, in the interest of brass tacks (as in, ‘getting down to brass tacks’) what can I tell you about Isuzu’s all-new D-Max ute, having recently spent a good day and a half behind the steering wheels of five different models on but mostly off the road deep in the heart of the South Island’s incomparable High Country.
1) Put simply, and in language most readers will understand, the new Gen-3 D-Max is a bloody good truck. Like the Gen-2 it replaces, the Gen-3 has a solid, hewn-from-rock feel which is the polar-opposite of the, er, lightweight, touch and feel of some of its competitors. That said I wouldn’t even bother comparing the old with the new. Where the Gen-2 was rugged and reliable but – in later years particularly – was let down by suspension action, wheel articulation, steering feel and basic handling from an earlier era, the Gen-3 rides, handles, steers and generally disports itself like a cross between Ford’s current Ranger and Toyota’s latest Hilux.
2) There are now several different versions in a new, expanded, line-up, for you to pick and choose from, including a new line-topper, the D-Max X-Terrain. The demise of Holden – and with it the Colorado Ute model – has also prompted a number of former marque dealers around the country to seek out and take on an Isuzu franchise – just in time for the late Oct/early Nov 2020 roll-out of the all-new Gen-3 D-Max line-up.
3) The only potential stumbling point is pricing – RRPs are up across the range with pricing not starting this time around until $49,990 for the LX 2WD through to $75,490 for the top spec X-Terrain model. I say ‘potential’ stumbling point because the new model is so different, so much ‘better’ on every level, that ‘bang’ for your ‘buck’ is – in my humble opinion – far greater now than before.
Speaking at the official NZ launch of the all-new Gen-3 model at High Peak Station (see side bar story page 23) recently-appointed Isuzu Utes NZ General Manager Sam Waller characterised the Gen-3 model as “The ultimate all-rounder ... with cutting edge-technology, even more off-road ability, greater power and torque, plus improved driver comfort and safety.”
And after literally living with all the many and varied models made available to us on the station – as well as to and from Christchurch Airport – I think he is right on the nail!
Expanded line-up
New D-Max is available across three cabin types; Single Cab, Space Cab and Double Cab, and now there are with four different model variants; LX, LS-M, LS and the new range-topping, X-Terrain.
Headlining the all-new D-Max range is the new-flagship or ‘hero’ model, the D-Max X-Terrain. On the outside the new X-Terrain gets roof rails, fender flares, an aero sports bar, roller tonneau cover and tub liner plus underbody spoilers front and rear.
Inside the D-Max X-Terrain comes complete with a ‘veritable plethora’ of extras like remote engine start, smart keyless entry with both push-button and remote engine start functions, an eight-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support, plus a piano black and leather-accented interior.
The popular LS Double Cab and Space Cab models remain the cornerstone of the local range with both now equipped with a large 9” infotainment display with DAB+ radio, SatNav, Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay, dual zone climate control, a premium leather bound steering wheel and shifter, and 18” silver alloy wheels.
The Gen 3 line-up also gets a new stand-alone Double Cab wellside model – the LS-M – which slots in between the base model LX and the LS. Basic spec errs on the side of the LX but adds a boot-full of upgrades including Bi-LED headlights with LED daytime running lights (DRL), 17” alloy wheels and a higher-spec cloth interior with additional amenities.
Speaking of the LX – the workhorse of the range – it is available in Single Cab Chassis, Space Cab Chassis and Double Cab Ute bodies and boasts the largest carrying capacity of the range, with up to 1.3-tonnes of payload.
‘Ready-for-work’ it might be with its steel wheels and vinyl (rather than carpet) floor coverings, but buyers still get to enjoy a seven inch infotainment display including DAB+ radio, Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay, as well as benefit from the same extensive safety technology fitted to the other models in the new D-Max range.
On – and off – the road
The first thing I noticed about the first Gen-3 D-Max I drove (from Christchurch Airport to our first swap-over spot on the city’s far-western plains) was how much quieter Isuzu’s engineers have managed to make the latest version (dubbed the 4JJ3-CX) of their signature 3.0 litre DOHC/16 valve four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine.
Later I would pick up on the fact that the upgraded engine also felt considerably livelier and had a much better spread of torque. But there you go. Gone was its predecessor’s raucous top end ‘rattle.’ And that was the first thing I picked up on.
Later on I found out that the new 4JJ3-X engine is both more powerful (by 10kW to 140kW @ 3600 rpm)) and produces 20Nm more torque – with a broader spread as well – with 450Nm now available from 1,600rpm through to 2,600rpm, a torque-band five times wider than its predecessor.
This was immediately noticeable out on the Station’s steep, cliff-hanging tracks where I found myself leaving it in third gear and only using second when I would otherwise think I’d need to drop down to first gear.
Isuzu attributes the wholesale improvement to the 4JJ3—CX to “new engine internals, a more efficient electronically controlled Variable Geometry System (VGS) Turbocharger and a new high efficiency, high-pressure direct injection fuel system.
“With less internal wear and tear through engineering, the new 4JJ3-TCX makes more power and torque, while emitting less noise and vibrations. Faster-shifting six-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmissions complete the picture.
Ready for anything
Gen-3 4x4 D-Max also gets a rear axle electromagnetic differential lock as standard plus an extra 200mm wading depth (now 800mm), Hill Start Assist and improved ground clearance.
Finally, Isuzu has gone all-out to make the new D-Max the standard-setter in the Utility sector with as a world-class suite of active safety features such as Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Forward Collison Warning (FCW), Lane Support System (automatic models only), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Blind-Spot Monitor (BSM) and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA).
These safety features are in addition to a full complement of airbags including a new segment-first front seat centre airbag which protects front occupants in the case of side impacts.
Ride – whether on or off-road , one-up or loaded up with four burly men, and a tray full of fencing equipment is also noticeably improved, thanks to some major upgrades to the suspension – geometry as well as hardware = front and rear.
AT the pointy end the front axle weight capacity has been increased to 1,450kg, while new double wishbones, thicker anti-roll bars and new high-mounted upper-control arms help reduce body roll, whilst optimising the roll centre geometry and improving vehicle handling and dynamics.
The rear suspension features a new three-leaf design, manufactured using tempered SUP9 rated steel – which improves strength and ductility as well as reducing unsprung weight, with overall rear suspension travel increased by 30mm over the preceding model.
Inside out
The focus on setting a new standard for the Utility sector is also evident inside each of the new Gen-3 models regardless of spec levels, each D-Max cabin laid out to be functional and comfortable with premium materials used throughout.
All models feature the latest in high-definition infotainment, equipped with DAB+ radio, voice recognition, Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay, plus up to eight premium surround sound speakers.
LX and LS-M models sport a 7” display, whereas LS and X-TERRAIN models benefit from a larger 9” display with integrated Sat-Nav.
LS and X-Terrain models also benefit from dual zone climate control for the front row and AC vents in the rear, standard across all crew cab models.
The driver is kept up to date, meanwhile, via a new and customisble 4.2” multi-information display (aka a dashboard) while the indicator and wiper stalks now feature comfort turn indicator operation for easy lane changing and automatic rain sensing and headlight control, with automatic high-beam control.
A new array of sensors now control headlight and windshield wiper operation, automatically turning them on and off when needed. And an automatic high beam control function now autonomously dims the high beams, when traffic is detected to avoid dazzling other drivers.
Providing additional safety, all D-Max models, including cab chassis models come standard with a reverse camera including integrated parking lines and a rear-step bumper, which houses the rear IDAS radar sensors –that also take care of the rear cross traffic alert and blind spot monitoring.
With surveys detailing that close to half of all Isuzu owners tow with their vehicle – up to the maximum 3.5-tonnes – all models come equipped with trailer sway control (TSC), which adds that extra layer of certainty when towing.
Finally, buyers have the choice of seven different colour options from splash white, mercury silver metallic, obsidian grey, onyx black metallic, red spinel metallic, sapphire blue metallic and the striking new valencia orange metallic.
