Review: Isuzu RC D-Max utility (2012-20)

Review: Isuzu RC.I D-Max utility (2012-17)

Overview

Released in July 2012, the Isuzu RC Series I (RC.I) D-Max utility was available in space cab and crew cab bodies, the former featuring reverse-opening ‘wing’ doors. Manufactured in Thailand, the RC D-Max was powered by a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine that was mated to either a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. The five-speed ‘Rev-Tronic’ automatic transmission had a sequential sports mode and an adaptive-learning function which monitored brake and throttle use to select the most appropriate gearshift and lock-up points.

Jointly developed with the Holden RG Colorado , the RC D-Max had independent, double wishbone front suspension. The low-ride models were fitted with underslung semi-elliptic leaf spring rear suspension, while high-ride models had overslung long-span semi-elliptic leaf springs. Four-wheel drive models had a ‘Terrain Command’ dial in the centre console which enabled the driver to ‘shift on the fly’ from two- to four-wheel drive at speeds of up to 100 km/h. Four-wheel drive models were fitted with steel plate guards for the sump, transfer case and fuel tank, while the low range gears had a 2.482:1 reduction ratio.

Compared to the Isuzu RA D-Max utility , the RC D-Max had a 45 mm longer wheelbase (at 3095 mm) and 50 mm wider front and rear tracks; major service intervals were also extended from 10,000 km to 20,000 km. The D-Max had a braked towing capacity of 2500 kg for RWD and 3000 kg for 4WD models, while load capacity was in excess of 1000 kg for all models.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Isuzu D-Max utility included dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Euro NCAP and ANCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the Isuzu RC D-Max Crew cab received a four star safety rating which included an 83 per cent adult occupant protection rating. In the offset crash test, protection for the driver’s chest and legs was rated as marginal. In the side impact test, maximum points were awarded; the D-Max also performed well in the more severe side impact test. Under ANCAP’s methodology , this testing resulted in a four star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 30.48 out of 37.

In separate ANCAP testing of models that were released in November 2013, the RC D-Max Crew cab received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 33.58 out of 37. In the front offset crash test, protection of the front occupants’ heads and upper legs was rated as good, though chest and lower leg protection was rated as adequate. The EuroNCAP results in the side and pole tests were carried over.

Features: Isuzu D-Max

Standard features for the Isuzu D-Max SX included a two speaker sound system with a CD player, MP3-compatibility, auxiliary inputs and Bluetooth audio streaming, air conditioning, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a tilt adjustable steering wheel, vinyl floor, a 12 volt power outlet (in the glovebox) and an immobiliser. Space cab models were fitted with twin rear pull-down jump seats, while crew cab models had split and folding rear seats.

The Isuzu D-Max LS was further equipped with alloy wheels, a six speaker sound system, projector lens headlights, front fog lights, a multifunction steering wheel, height adjustable driver’s seat, trip computer, lockable tailgate and carpeted floors. The LS-U was further equipped with power folding mirrors, while the LS-Terrain added an auxiliary USB audio input, satellite navigation system, leather seats, a power adjustable driver’s seat, reversing camera, roof rails. Visually, the LS, LS-U and LS-Terrain variants could be identified by their chrome radiator grille, chrome door mirrors, one-step chrome rear bumpers, chrome door handles and chrome tailgate handle.

Compared to the SX, the Isuzu D-Max LS-M added a six speaker sound system, projector lens headlights, front fog lights and a trip computer. Visually, the LS-M could be identified by its chrome radiator grille and LED rear combination lamps.

2013 Isuzu D-Max X-Runner

In February 2013, a limited edition Isuzu D-Max X-Runner variant was released. Based on the Crew Cab LS-U 4WD, the X-Runner added a three-piece hard tonneau cover, tub liner, a black sports bar, carpet floor mats and metallic pearl white paint.

2014 Isuzu D-Max X-Runner

In March 2014, the Isuzu D-Max X-Runner returned. Again based on the Crew Cab LS-U 4WD, the X-Runner could be identified by its pearlescent white or black mica paint finishes with contrasting stripes and decals, gun metal grey alloy wheels and side steps, front and rear body kit, black sports bar and tub liner. Inside, the X-Runner featured red and black two-tone seat trim, red contrast steering wheel stitching and high-gloss piano black dashboard trim.

2015 Isuzu D-Max X-Runner

The D-Max X-Runner returned in March 2015 with a production run of 360 vehicles. Based on the Crew Cab LS-Terrain 4WD, the X-Runner added climate control air conditioning, satellite navigation, rear parking sensors, a rear view camera, Isuzu’s ‘Passive Entry & Start System’ (PESS), dark-grey interior trim, a bodykit, alloy sports bar and tub liner. The 2015 D-Max X-Runner was available in pearlescent white and lapis blue paint finishes, with contrasting striping and decals.

Brochure and specifications

• Brochure: Isuzu RC D-Max (May 2014)
• Specifications: Isuzu RC D-Max (January 2014)

Review: Isuzu RC.II D-Max utility (2017-20)

Overview

Officially released in Australia in February 2017, the Isuzu RC Series II (RC.II) D-Max was powered by a new 3.0-litre 4JJ1-TC turbo diesel engine which had a variable geometry turbocharger, larger exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler and complied with Euro 5 emissions standards.

The 4JJ1-TC engine was available with either:

• A new six-speed Aisin AWR6B45 automatic transmission with lock-up torque converter for the second through sixth forward gears. The transmission had an ‘adaptive learning’ function which adjusted to the driver’s style and circumstances; a sequential shift mode also provided on-demand shifting; or,
• A new six-speed Isuzu MVL-6N manual transmission with close ratios, triple cone synchronisers and a 275 mm diameter clutch plate.

According to Isuzu, the RC.II D-Max also had reduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) due to new sound and vibration insulation.

Visually, the Isuzu RC.II D-Max could be identified by its new bonnet, grille, front bumper and front fog lamps; while D-Max LS variants had projector headlamps with LED daytime running lamps, the D-Max EX and SX variants had new halogen headlamp assemblies.

Safety equipment

Compared to the Isuzu RC.I D-Max, standard safety equipment for the RC.II D-Max was unchanged.

From April 2018, all Isuzu D-Max utility variants were equipped with Trailer Sway Control as standard.

Features: Isuzu D-Max SX

Standard features for the Isuzu RC.II D-Max SX included a six speaker sound system, seven-inch touch screen audio unit with USB/iPod inputs and Bluetooth audio streaming, air conditioning, cruise control, halogen multi-reflector headlights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power mirrors, power windows, a tilt adjustable steering wheel, rear window demister, a 12 volt power outlet (in the glovebox), vinyl flooring, a trip computer and an immobiliser.

However,

• D-Max crew cab models had an eight speaker sound system; and,
• Four-wheel drive models had steel plate guards for the sump, transfer case and leading edge of the fuel tank.

Features: D-Max LS-M

Compared to the D-Max SX, the Isuzu D-Max LS-M added projector lens headlights, LED daytime running lights, front fog lights, reversing camera and a height adjustable driver’s seat. Furthermore, both the D-Max LS-M and LS-U had LED rear combination lamps.

Features: D-Max LS-U

The D-Max LS-U was further equipped with an integrated satellite navigation system, climate control air conditioning, rear USB charging port, carpeted flooring and electro-luminescent gauges, The D-Max LS-U could be identified by its aluminium side steps and chrome door handles.

Features: D-Max LS-T

Available from April 2018, the D-Max LS-T featured 18-inch alloy wheels, a leather accented interior, a Passive Entry and Start System (PESS) and roof rails.

The Isuzu D-Max LS-T also featured:

• Soft-touch leatherette trim for the dashboard, glovebox and armrest; and,
• Two 2.1-amp USB charge points (one in the dashboard and one in the rear console) to charge mobile devices.

These items were also introduced for the D-Max LS-M and LS-U in April 2018.

2017 Isuzu D-Max X-Runner

Released in February 2017, the Isuzu D-Max X-Runner was a limited edition model. Inside, the D-Max X-Runner was distinguished by its two-tone red and black seats, dark grey trim with piano black accents and red stitching for the steering wheel, while standard features included climate control air conditioning and rear parking sensors. Visually, the Isuzu D-Max X-Runner could be identified by its gun metal grey grille, alloy wheels and side steps, black sports bar, under-rail tub liner, red Isuzu badging and ‘100 years’ motif.

April 2018 update (18MY)

From April 2018, the Isuzu D-Max LS-M and LS-U featured:

• Soft-touch leatherette trim for the dashboard, glovebox and armrest; and,
• Two 2.1-amp USB charge points (one in the dashboard and one in the rear console) to charge mobile devices.

Furthermore, a new three-span leaf-spring suspension tune was introduced for Isuzu D-Max Crew Cab variants that was claimed to improve ride quality and handling.

May 2019: Isuzu D-Max update

An updated Isuzu D-Max range was released in Australia in May 2019. As part of this update,

• All D-Max LS-U, LS-M and LS-T variants had a matte black finish for the front radiator air intake and, for Crew Cab bodies, B-pillars;
• The D-Max LS-U and LS-T were fitted with new fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) sidesteps that were bolted to the body with steel brackets; and,
• The D-Max LS-T was fitted with new 18-inch machined-face aluminium wheels with a matte black finish, 255/60 R18 Toyo Open Country Highway Terrain tyres, new roof rails finished in matte black and matte black accents for the body. Furthermore, features for the D-Max LS-T 4×2 were extended to include Isuzu’s ‘Passive Entry and Start System’ (PESS) which had previously been reserved for the D-Max LS-T 4×4.

From May 2019, the Isuzu D-Max was sold with a six year or 150,000 kilometre warranty, six years of roadside assistance and seven years or 105,000 kilometres of capped price servicing.

As an optional accessory, post-2017 model year Isuzu D-Max LS-M, LS-U and LS-T variants could be fitted with front parking sensors (Isuzu’s ‘Front Park Assist’) for $545.

2019 Isuzu D-Max X-Runner

The Isuzu D-Max X-Runner was released in Australia in May 2019. Based on the Isuzu D-Max 4×4 LS-T, the X-Runner was fitted with equipment otherwise reserved for D-Max LS-T variants such as a six-way power adjustable driver’s seat, leather accented seats (with red perforated leather on body contact areas) and a Passive Entry and Start System (PESS). Inside, the D-Max X-Runner had ‘X-Runner’ scuff plates, piano black finishes and red Isuzu badges and trims.

Visually, the Isuzu D-Max X-Runner could be identified by its ‘X-Runner’ branding on the bonnet, doors, rear quarter and tailgate. The ‘Isuzu’ tailgate branding and front fog lights were also revised with a dark grey finish, ‘Isuzu’ branding in red and soft touch materials with red stitching for the dashboard, doors, glove box and console lid. The Isuzu D-Max X-Runner was available in Pearl White and Magnetic Red paint finishes.

Australian deliveries of the Isuzu D-Max X-Runner were limited to 645 vehicles.

Brochure and specifications

• Brochure: Isuzu RC D-Max MY17 (February 2017)
• Specifications: Isuzu RC D-Max MY17 (February 2017)

Related links

• Isuzu Ute: Isuzu D-Max
• Wikipedia.org: Isuzu D-Max (second generation)