Isuzu puts its new 2.2-litre turbodiesel into the ultimate test of efficiency with a Malaysian road trip.
While diesel subsidies have once again returned, the idea of using less of it may still be appealing to most pickup owners. And perhaps just to capitalise on this sentiment, Isuzu is currently attempting to circumnavigate Peninsular Malaysia with just one tank of diesel.
To prove just how far its latest pickup can go between fuel stops, Isuzu has now embarked on the D-MAX One-Tank. One Nation challenge. The new Isuzu D-Max 2.2-litre turbodiesel will set off from Balakong, Selangor this week, before travelling through Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Pahang, Kelantan, Kedah and Perak and attempting to return to Kuala Lumpur six days later without refuelling.
Joining the D-Max and crew at key dealerships along the route will be brand ambassador Baki Zainal, who will document the journey while meeting fans and handing out giveaways and refreshments. Fans can also guess the total mileage covered by the time the truck returns to Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, with a RM5,000 grocery shopping voucher up for grabs for the closest guess, alongside secondary prizes.
Now make of it what you will, but this writer has incidentally already managed to complete a KL–JB–KL journey in the very same Isuzu D-Max 2.2L using just half a tank of diesel. The 621.8 km round trip saw the truck return an impressive 6.3 litres per 100 km (15.8 km/l), which is rather respectable for any vehicle, let alone a proper workhorse like the D-Max.
Incidentally too, this is not the first time Isuzu has attempted to demonstrate just how far its pickup can go on a tank. The D-Max previously entered the Malaysian Book of Records for the ‘Longest Distance Driven In A Pick-up Truck With A Single Tank Of Fuel’, managing an incredible 2,000 km from Bangkok to Klang using just the contents of its 76-litre fuel tank.
“We believe that the new Isuzu D-MAX featuring the ‘best engine ever’ 2.2-litre powerplant possesses the ideal qualities to engage in such a daunting challenge. Its amazing power delivery where 56% of the vehicle’s maximum torque is already available from as low as 1,000rpm, coupled to a new 8-speed automatic gearbox will allow the vehicle to efficiently accelerate to speed yet cruise comfortably along the highways,” said Chief Operating Officer of Isuzu Malaysia Kenichi Kudo.
For those who have not been keeping up with their Isuzus, the D-Max received a fairly significant update earlier this year, with one of the biggest changes being the introduction of this new 2.2-litre turbodiesel in place of the outgoing 1.9-litre unit. The 2,164 cc four-cylinder turbodiesel features an extensively revised design, with a new engine block, cylinder head, crankshaft, pistons and connecting rods, alongside a new turbocharger and high-pressure 250 MPa fuel injection system.
The new engine produces 163 PS at 3,600 rpm and 400 Nm of torque between 1,600 and 2,400 rpm, giving it 13 PS and 50 Nm more than the outgoing 1.9-litre. More importantly for everyday driving, Isuzu claims a 56% improvement in off-the-line response, with 255 Nm already available from just 1,000 rpm. This is paired with a new eight-speed automatic transmission co-developed with Aisin, giving the D-Max two more ratios than before for smoother acceleration and more relaxed highway cruising.
And while the new engine brings more performance to the table, Isuzu says it is also more efficient and cleaner than before. Extra-urban fuel consumption has improved by 10.7%, while overall emissions are down by 21% and particulate emissions by as much as 99%. These improvements come courtesy of a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), diesel particulate diffuser (DPD) and intelligent exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), while the engine is also compatible with biodiesel blends of up to B20.
Full pricing for the 2026 Isuzu D-Max lineup in Malaysia is as follows:
Single Cab
- 2.2L 4×4 MT Single Cab: RM103,121.20
- 2.2L 4×4 AT Single Cab: RM109,121.20
- 3.0L 4×4 MT Single Cab: RM108,888.40
Standard
- 2.2L 4×4 MT Standard: RM114,171.20
- 2.2L 4×4 AT Standard: RM122,171.20
Auto Plus
- 2.2L 4×2 Auto Plus: RM114,671.20
Premium
- 2.2L 4×4 AT Premium: RM141,821.20
- 3.0L 4×4 AT Premium: RM145,138.40
X-Terrain
- 3.0L 4×4 AT X-Terrain: RM162,938.40
