Isuzu D-MAX upgraded for 2022

The Australian debut of Isuzu’s downsized 1.9-litre turbo-diesel engine for the base single-cab version will headline a raft of changes for the updated 22MY Isuzu D-MAX range announced recently – only a year after the arrival of the new ute in September 2020. 

Due to arrive in local showrooms from the first quarter of next year, the revised 2022 Isuzu D-MAX line-up will also bring six new variants including a new LS-U+ grade, more equipment for LS-M and LS-U grades and more price hikes across the range. 

The flagship X-Terrain comes in for its second price increase since the new D-MAX’s Australian launch in September 2020 and now tops the range at $65,900 plus on-road costs, although Isuzu UTE Australia says it “is planned to be available” for $62,990 drive-away. 

And for 2022 the top-shelf D-MAX X-Terrain comes in line with its direct rivals by adding a factory-fitted tow bar receiver, plus red cabin stitching and extra black and red interior appointments, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and heated front seats and door mirrors. 

In addition to the hefty price rises applied to the third-generation D-MAX when it arrived last year, there’s another round of increases for various model grades ranging between $1000 and $2500 (see the price list below). 

Related reading:
Isuzu D-MAX v Toyota HiLux v Ford Ranger: 2020 Comparison
Isuzu D-MAX v Mazda BT-50: 2020 Comparison
Five-star safety for new Isuzu D-MAX

However, to help alleviate the pain of customers on a long waiting list, IUA is offering a “price protection guarantee” on all 21MY D-MAX orders placed before July 31, and says it may upgrade some unfulfilled 21MY orders to 22MY spec for no additional charge. 

“We share our customers’ frustrations with the unfortunate delays, but to show our appreciation for their patience and loyalty, IUA will guarantee the contract price across all existing orders placed before July, 31, 2021, and at our discretion update the order to 22MY specification, at no additional charge to the customer,” said IUA managing director, Hiroyasu Sato. 

IUA says the addition of six new D-MAX variants makes it one of the widest selections of body styles, tray configurations and powertrain options available in Australia’s booming one-tonne ute market. 

Opening the 22MY Isuzu D-MAX range, which IUA says was tweaked following feedback from customers and media in 2021, is a new entry-level D-MAX SX Single Cab Chassis 4x2 model powered by Isuzu's downsized RZ4E-TC 1.9-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel. All other models continue with the 4JJ3-TCX 3.0-litre turbo-diesel. 

Full 22MY D-MAX specs are yet to be revealed, but the downsized diesel engine costs $2000 less than the existing 3.0-litre turbo-diesel in the same base model, lowering the D-MAX’s starting price to $31,200 plus ORCs. 

Also available with six-speed manual and automatic transmissions, the new 1.9-litre turbo-diesel generates outputs of 110kW/350Nm – down from 140kW/450Nm for the upgraded 3.0-litre turbo-diesel that continues to power the rest of the D-MAX range. 

Braked towing capacity for the base 1.9-litre SX Single Cab Chassis 4x2 manual is 2800kg (3000kg auto), with both models rated to tow 750kg unbraked and both also available with a 2550mm-long alloy or steel tray. 

Fuel consumption is yet to be announced. 

Meanwhile, a new rear-drive D-MAX SX Space Cab Chassis 4x2 auto joins the 22MY range, fitted with the same 4JJ3-TCX engine, rear wing cabin doors and 2100mm-long alloy or steel tray as per the existing 4x4 extra-cab models. 

Also new to the range are two new mid-spec variants: D-MAX LS-M Crew Cab Chassis 4x4 auto and D-MAX LS-U Crew Cab Chassis 4x4 auto, both with the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel, 4x4 Terrain Command with rear diff-lock, and a 1800mm-long alloy or steel tray. 

IUA says the new LS-M and LS-U 4x4 dual-cab/chassis models are aimed at tradies, families and travellers who want the higher capacity of a tray-back. 

The sixth new D-MAX variant is the LS-U+ Crew Cab 4x4 auto, positioned between the LS-U and flagship X-Terrain. It comes with leather-accented seat trim, heated front seats and eight-way electric driver’s seat adjustment. 

Rounding out the additions is extra standard equipment for the mid-range LS-U Crew Cab Ute and LS-U Space Cab Ute variants, including Smart Keyless Entry with push-button start, Walk Away Door Lock (WADL), auto-dimming rear-view mirror and factory-fitted tow bar receiver and tub liner. 

The same additional features are fitted to the 22MY D-MAX LS-U Crew Cab Chassis 4x4, but without the tub liner due to the fitment of a 1800mm-long alloy or steel tray. 

And finally, the LS-M Crew Cab Ute 4x4 gains rear parking sensors in addition to the reversing camera that is standard equipment across all D-MAX models. 

The D-MAX SX Space Cab Ute 4x2 auto and D-MAX SX Crew Cab Ute 4x4 manual have been discontinued for 2022. 

For 22MY, all exterior paint colours except Mineral White will cost $500 extra, including Basalt Black mica, Cobalt Blue mica, Mercury Silver metallic, Obsidian Grey metallic, Marble White pearl (LS-U and X-Terrain only), Magnetic Red mica (LS-U and X-Terrain only) and Volcanic Amber metallic (X-Terrain only). 

SX single cab-chassis 4x2 1.9 6M: $31,200 (new) 
SX single cab-chassis 4x2 1.9 6A: $33,200 (new) 
SX single cab-chassis 4x2 3.0 6M: $33,200 (no change) 
SX single cab-chassis 4x2 3.0 6A: $35,200 (no change) 
SX space cab-chassis 4x2 3.0 6A: $38,700 (new) 
SX crew cab-chassis 4x2 3.0 6A: $41,700 (no change) 
SX crew cab ute 4x2 3.0 6A: $42,900 (no change) 
SX single cab-chassis 4x4 6M: $41,200 (+$1000) 
SX single cab-chassis 4x4 6A: $43,200 (+$1000) 
SX space cab-chassis 4x4 6M: $44,700 (+$1000) 
SX space cab-chassis 4x4 6A: $46,700 (+$1000) 
SX crew cab-chassis 4x4 6M: $47,700 (+$1000) 
SX crew cab-chassis 4x4 6A: $49,700 (+$1000) 
SX crew cab ute 4x4 6A: $50,900 (+$1000) 
LS-U crew cab ute 4x2 3.0 6A: $51,400 (new) 
LS-M crew cab ute 4x4 6M: $52,000 (+$1000) 
LS-M crew cab-chassis 4x4 6A: $52,800 (new) 
LS-M crew cab ute 4x4 6A: $54,000 (+$1000) 
LS-U space cab ute 4x4 6A: $56,400 ($2500) 
LS-U crew cab ute 4x4 6M: $57,400 (+$2500) 
LS-U crew cab ute 4x4 6A: $59,400 (+$2500) 
LS-U crew cab-chassis 4x4 6A: $58,200 (new) 
LS-U+ crew cab ute 4x4 6A: $61,900 (new) 
X-Terrain crew cab ute 4x4 6A: $65,900 (+$3000)