Isuzu Ute drops D-MAX launch date

Australian pricing and specifications for the new Isuzu D-MAX will be revealed on August 13, Isuzu UTE Australia has confirmed today, with expressions of interest also opened.

The 2021 Isuzu D-MAX officially touches down in Australian showrooms on September 1 following supply delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While it is already on sale in Thailand, where it was revealed in October and where production is now underway, this shadowy teaser is our first look at the Australian-spec D-MAX.

Sharing its engine and chassis with the new Mazda BT-50 that will follow it on sale here by the end of this year, the new Isuzu D-MAX boasts a big power boost for its 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine, better off-road ability and more advanced connectivity and safety tech.

According to Isuzu Ute Australia spokesman Mark Harman, the added specification will culminate in a ute that is much more rounded and family-friendly than before.

Harman wouldn’t be drawn on pricing for the replacement for Australia’s fifth best selling 4x4 ute, which is currently priced from $28,600 in entry-level SX 4x2 cab/chassis form and $38,200 in 4x4 form.

“We expect the new model to be picked up by more families looking for more technology and safety than the current model,” he said.

“It’s going to tick a lot of boxes for people. The current model is great for us and it does exactly what it says on the box. The new model will do that and much more.”

Brandishing a tough new look and transforming it from a no-frills budget ute to one of the most high-tech hay-haulers in its class, the redesigned Isuzu D-MAX is distinguished by dual LED headlights incorporating signature U-shaped LED daytime running lights.

Other new tech for top-spec versions of the new Isuzu D-MAX includes a big 9.0-inch colour touch-screen with Apple Car Play and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, voice recognition, dual-zone climate control, eight-speaker surround sound, remote engine start, proximity key, push-button start, dual-zone climate control, UV-protection windscreen, leather seat trim and a large 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster display with a digital speedo.

Also increasing comfort, convenience and ergonomics in the first full redesign for the D-MAX since 2012 is the fitment of reach adjustment for the steering wheel and rear air-vents.

On the safety front, new additions include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, emergency stop signal, LED tail-lights, auto-parking, hill start assist, hill descent control, auto locking, auto headlights, follow me home lighting, rain-sensing wipers, front/rear parking sensors.

Under the bonnet, the D-MAX’s 3.0-litre engine has been upgraded to deliver 140kW of power at 3600rpm and 450Nm of torque over 1600-2600rpm.

That’s up from 130kW/430Nm in the current model and a much better match for key rivals like the Toyota HiLux (130kW/450Nm), Ford Ranger (147kW/470Nm and 157kW/500Nm), Mitsubishi Triton (133kW/430Nm), Holden Colorado (147kW/500Nm), Nissan Navara (140kW/450Nm) and outgoing Mazda BT-50 (147kW/470Nm).

Isuzu UTE Australia is now taking expressions of interest from potential buyers of the new D-MAX via its public website.