Isuzu’s trusted workhorse recently received a significant update for its 2024 model year. While it may look totally different from the pre-facelift model, the 2024 truck is actually built on the current generation chassis. This update was much needed, as the competition inches forward year by year, even if those updates aren’t always significant. With the latest changes, the D-Max is back in the spotlight for those in the market for a brand-new pickup truck. This time around, I will be checking out the latest Isuzu D-Max 3.0L X-Terrain to see how the updates bring a new lease of life to this truck.
For the latest D-Max, many of the updates occur on the exterior. From the front, you’ll notice that the latest D-Max comes with an all-new front fascia, which is quite a drastic change from the pre-facelift model. The front now features a totally redesigned headlight and daytime running lights, which refresh the look of the pickup truck. In addition to the headlights, the front grille has also been redesigned. It is now painted in gloss black, giving the truck a completely different look when it appears in your rearview mirror. I quite like the new front end of the vehicle, as it gives the truck a sleeker appeal compared to the outgoing model. 
Moving to the rear of the vehicle, there are also some visual updates to make the new D-Max stand out more compared to the pre-facelift model. However, to be fair, the updates are fairly subtle and can be hard to spot. For example, the tailgate is a design you’d find on any pickup truck, but on this latest D-Max, there is a redesigned exterior tailgate panel that looks different from the pre-facelift vehicle. The tailgate latch is now chrome instead of the gunmetal color on the previous model. The taillights are also new; you can tell they’re different but might not pinpoint the differences until you see them side by side. Additionally, the previously optional tailgate assist strut is now standard on the new D-Max. To top it all off, the updated D-Max gets newly designed 18-inch rims that look much sportier and more muscular compared to the older design. 
When you open the front door, you’ll notice that the D-Max now has illuminated door sills. While these door sills give the impression of a more premium vehicle, they do look a bit aftermarket to me. However, as you step inside, you’ll notice that the interior is pretty much carried over. Even so, Isuzu has refreshed the interior with some new features to make the vehicle feel more modern. For starters, the D-Max now has a brand-new 7-inch digital instrument cluster, mixed with an analog tachometer and fuel gauge. The new graphics are quite reminiscent of Proton’s instrument cluster. At least this new cluster is still easy to navigate and read under the hot sun. 
Next up, the D-Max now comes with an even larger 10-inch screen on the dashboard. Apart from the larger screen, the infotainment system now features wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which greatly improves connectivity. While this infotainment screen is still hooked up to the 8-speaker sound system, I was quite surprised to find that the sound system now sounds clearer compared to the older D-Max. This could be because the new infotainment screen produces clearer audio signals to enhance in-car entertainment. On top of that, the D-Max now features USB-C charging slots for faster charging, with two USB-C ports at the front and one at the rear. If your phone supports wireless charging, Isuzu has you covered with a wireless charger in the center console. 
Additionally, this updated D-Max also comes with ambient lighting to make the interior feel more upmarket. For now, the ambient lighting is only available at the front part of the cabin, but at least the driver gets to enjoy the lights as much as they want. The seats are now wrapped in a new combination of leather that feels much softer compared to the pre-facelift model. This new leather makes the seats feel more premium to the touch. However, the seat design remains largely the same, so the support provided by the seats feels similar to the outgoing model. Those are pretty much the changes for this latest D-Max. 
In terms of the drive, there’s no change in the powertrain department. The D-Max is still powered by a 3.0L inline-4 turbodiesel engine, with a 1.9L turbodiesel also available if you don’t need the extra torque. This engine continues to be mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, and there is a transfer case to make it an all-wheel-drive vehicle if needed. With the same powertrain, the driving feel is pretty much carried over. However, I did notice that the new D-Max feels a tad more refined than before. This could be because it’s a new truck, so only long-term users would be able to tell. Overall, this truck is quite decent to drive, giving you the confidence to tackle all kinds of terrains. 
With an updated price tag of RM 157,938.40, the new D-Max definitely feels more upmarket than before. I find that these changes make the D-Max nicer to live with, especially if it’s a vehicle you drive daily. The more premium interior makes the D-Max feel more like a passenger vehicle than a pickup truck. However, in terms of comfort, there are still more comfortable trucks on the market. But the D-Max has always been synonymous with being a reliable and fuel-efficient workhorse, and this character remains true in this updated vehicle. So you can still count on this truck for many years to come. 
Check out the full photo album here.
To check out the previous D-Max review here:
