It may not look very different, but the 2017 Isuzu D-Max ute has seen some significant changes under the skin.

The most significant chance is a re-worked version of the brand’s 3.0-litre turbo diesel truck engine, which is now Euro 5 compliant. It retains the same 177 Hp of power but now has 430 Nm of torque (from 2000-2200 rpm). The previous engine had 380 Nm of torque, and that’s still available from 1700-3500 rpm, where previously its torque curve was across a narrower 1800-2800 rpm band.


The new engine is teamed to a choice of two new gearboxes – a six-speed manual developed in-house by Isuzu, or a six-speed auto sourced from Aisin. Official fuel use figures haven’t been revealed, but the company claims it is five per cent more efficient than the previous drivetrain, and it adopts a diesel particulate filter as part of the update.

Cosmetically there are some amendments to the D-Max‘s look, albeit minor. There’s a reshaped bonnet, redesigned front bumper, revised grille treatment, and new designs for the headlights – projectors with LED daytime running lights on LS versions, and new halogens for EX and SX models.


The LS also gets new-look fog lights, and the flagship LS-T has new 18-inch alloy wheels, while the LS-U gets new 17s and the LS-M has 16-inch alloys with all-terrain tyres.

Inside there have been a few changes with the SX and LS-M models gaining a 7.0-inch touchscreen media system, while the LS-U and LS-T variants get a larger 8.0-inch media screen with built-in sat-nav. All models from LS-M up have a standard rear-view camera, while the SX and EX are only available with a back-up camera if you option it.


The LS versions now get three USB inputs, while the crew-cab SX and LS-M models now get eight-speaker sound systems (previously six speakers). All models now get hill descent control, too – 4×2 and 4×4.

Isuzu Ute Australia has also reworked its servicing campaign – thank goodness, because taking a ute in to be serviced every six months would surely have been painful.