Isuzu expands 2022 D-Max ute range

Isuzu Ute Australia (IUA) has announced a host of changes to its D-Max ute range for the 2022 model year.

Due to arrive in dealers in the first quarter of the new year, they include upgraded specification and equipment, a new entry-level diesel engine and minor price rises.

While sales of popular D-Max are still being hampered by supply restraints overseas, any new ute ordered on or before July 31, 2021 will not be subject to the price rise – even though some orders may be upgraded to the 2022 specification to meet demand.

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Isuzu's 1.9-litre RZ4E diesel engine will arrive in the entry-level D-Max 4x2 SX single cab-chassis. This base-spec is often called the ‘traffic controller model’ due to its use by the stop/go lolly-pop wranglers.

In many markets around the globe, the newer design and technology 1.9L engine is the only engine offered, while Australia has fought to upgrade and retain its popular 4JJ3 3.0-litre engine. In the SX 4x4, the RZ4E makes 110kW of power and 350Nm of torque. It is available with a choice of six-speed automatic or manual transmissions.

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The RZ4E is a cleaner more efficient engine than the 4JJ3 but doesn’t have the outputs to be competitive in the Australian ute market. In some countries it uses AdBlue to meet the latest emissions regulations, while the 4JJ3 isn’t AdBlue ready yet as it doesn’t need to be to meet Australian standards.

As a result, all other D-Max variants will continue to be powered by the 140kW/450Nm 4JJ3 engine.

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The six new D-Max variants are mainly cab-chassis models, with the aforementioned SX single cab 1.9L in auto and manual; SX extra-cab 3.0L with auto; LS-M and LS-U 4x4 double-cab cab-chassis with auto; and the new LS-U+ double-cab 4x4 with auto.

D-Max SX extra–cab 4x2 auto and D-Max SX double-cab 4x4 manual have been dropped for the new year.

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Updated specification

The 2022 D-Max X-Terrain boosts its top of the range stature by adding features including; variable heated front seats, vanity mirror light, auto-dimming rear view mirror, heated door mirrors, a factory-fitted tow bar and black and red accents to the interior trim.

Queensland-based IUA didn’t offer heated seats on any of its D-Max variants in the past, while the closely related Mazda BT-50 has had them on its top-spec model since launch. It’s nice to see them finally making it to the D-Max – just in time for summer.

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The new LS-U+ double-cab 4x4 ute 4x4 D-Max also benefits from the inclusion of heated seats, with 8-way electric adjustment with electric lumbar support for the driver’s seat and black leather inclusions on the trim.

Regular LS-U double and extra-cab D-Max utes also get keyless entry with push button start, automatic locks on the doors when the driver walks away, an auto-dimming rear view mirror, a vanity mirror light and a factory-fitted tow bar receiver and tub liner. The cab-chassis 4x4 gets the same features minus the tub liner due to its tray.

A rear view camera is standard on all D-Max models, but the LS-M double-cab adds rear parking sensors to its class-leading safety kit to ease reverse parking.

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2022 Isuzu D-Max pricing (excluding on-road costs)