The Isuzu D-Max andMU-X have been updated just 12
months after their last overhaul. The aim, according to Isuzu, is to boost
interest in the two vehicles as the brand tries to hit 30,000 sales in a year.
The key changes include upgrades to certain
variants, safety improvements and some engineering tweaks. One of the major
changes is the introduction of a new top-spec D-Max variant, the LS-T crew cab
it borrows many of its new bits and bobs from the equivalent model in the MU-X
range, and that includes 18-inch wheels with Highway-Terrain (HT) tyres, native
sat-nav, roof rails and a Passive Entry and Start System (PESS) on 4×4 LS-T
only. The flagship LS-T is available in two drivetrains; two-wheel drive or
through Isuzu’s “Terrain Command” 4WD Select System.
According to Isuzu, the D-Max LS-T also takes
styling cues from the MU-X with a new leather accented interior, plus
additional accents of polyurethane leatherette on the hard wearing bolsters and
rests. The dash, glovebox and armrest are trimmed in soft-touch leatherette,
door handles finished in chrome and the air vents and window switches finished
in gloss black— these soft-touch refinements can also be found inside the D-MAX
LS-M and LS-U variants.
Another interior update for the D-MAX 18MY LS-M,
LS-U and LS-T variants is the addition of two USB charge points; one in the
dash, and one in the rear console; it can also be found across the entire MU-X
range.
Apparently in response to customer feedback, Isuzu
engineers headed to Australia to develop a new three leaf (comfort) suspension
package for the SX, LS-U and LS-T Crew Cab ute variants as opposed to the
five-leaf suspension set-up previously…apparently, running the comfort
suspension doesn’t affect the carrying capacity.
More than this, the engineers also took another look
at the Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) capacity of the entire 18MY D-Max range —
increasing the GVM on 4×2 models to 2950 kg and the GVM on 4×4 models to 3050 kg.
This improvement increases the payload capacity of all models by 100 kg in comparison
to 17MY models. This upgrade gives the D-MAX 4×2 low-ride SX Single Cab Chassis
class-leading payload capacity of 1349 kg.
In terms of safety, Trailer Sway Control (TSC) is
now standard across all 18MY models (excluding the D-MAX 4×2 low-ride SX Single
Cab Chassis manual). Also, previously reserved for LS variants, all 18MY D-Max
ute models now feature a rear bumper, along with a reversing camera as
standard; both items remain optional on cab chassis models due to the nature of
the tray.
Isuzu for 18MY models and later is introducing a
five-year capped price servicing program.
