Isuzu D-Max: Quantum leap

THE MOST promising bit for the industry is that the D-Max will soon be made at Isuzu Philippines Corp.’s Biñan, Laguna factory, helping ensure jobs for the local economy.

I’ve been writing about cars for just about a decade, and there has been much change since January 2004. Car manufacturers gave limited seat time then versus now, car models have come and gone. There has been a handful of constants: I still can’t afford most of the cars I test-drive, I’m still a tad too big to fit comfortably in many of today’s cars, and I still love driving cars, and writing about them. Oh wait, those points are totally irrelevant to the industry.

Thankfully, one thing has changed, which I very much welcome. Isuzu’s D-Max.

Yes, cynics will say that the D-Max is long overdue and is simply a clone of the Chevrolet Colorado pickup with an older engine. True. So? It’s still mighty fine and truly represents a quantum leap for the hardworking guys and gals of Isuzu.

My biggest complaint about the previous D-Max was that it was tight, felt uncomfortable even on medium-length (over two  hours of driving) trips, had a really noisy engine and just felt like it identified itself more with an agricultural machine cum torture device from the era of the Spanish Inquisition, rather than a highly capable pickup. In short, it was pretty much nasty, especially compared to pickup alternatives from Toyota and Mitsubishi. That the old D-Max was made for people below 5 feet 6 inches with a waistline slimmer than 34 (mine’s a careful 42, honest!), and size 8 feet didn’t win it any favors. Indeed Isuzu personnel also admitted that many of them felt the same.

Which is a shame, because the D-Max did have excellent off-road ability right out of the box, had a really sturdy ladder-on-frame chassis, laughed off mud, high water, rocks and boulders even if it felt quite limp when you showed it a long, wide superhighway like Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) or North Luzon Expressway (NLEx). The D-Max was truly in its element creating roads where there was previously none rather than traversing the beaten path.

But the world has changed. A pickup nowadays is an urban fashion accessory. They say  over-specification is the name of the game in the 21st century and having a pickup means you CAN go boldly to where your pansy sedan could never dream of going to, carry huge numbers of large boxes with nothing in them  and project your insecure persona. It’s all about image. Rightfully Isuzu has acknowledged this fact and decided that their best-selling pickup (yes, the D-Max still sold like crazy in the province where provincial folk preferred something very familiar) needed a major overhaul. And the result is truly a quantum leap.

Finally the D-Max rides very comfortably as its longer wheelbase and larger interior cabin meant that the D-Max could confidently tackle off-road mayhem as well as motorway monotony. The pickup bed is huge, it looks like you could fit a decently sized motorcycle (no pansy underbone bikes, but full-on trail/dirt and lower-CC sport bikes), and the driving dynamics finally felt like they did belong to the 21st century, with backseat space agreeable to larger human species like me. Isuzu also realized that an integrated multimedia system, though simpler, actually looks more sophisticated than a

2-DIN aftermarket-fitted audio system, and the bold looks have a sense of European feel and maturity. Yes the D-Max has grown up a bit, lost some of its rugged brashness and donned a suit, sans tie.

The Chevrolet Colorado is an excellent pickup, so it follows that the D-Max is equally excellent, considering its predecessor especially. But the Colorado has two very opposing poles: the impressive 2.8-liter VGT turbo CRDi engine (very good) and that peculiar plasticky interior (no comment, I want to be polite here). The D-Max on the other hand has a much more cohesive and impressive, restrained but sophisticated interior composed of black plastics and dark brown leather interior with a sprinkling of gray/silver accents, a brave combination but one pulled off very nicely. Alas, Isuzu opted  NOT to bring in yet the 2.8-L VGT CRDi lump that delivers 175 HP and  470 Newton-meters mated to a six-speed automatic. Instead, we still get the older 3.0 4JJ1-TC CRDi lump that delivers a very modest 144 HP and

294 Newton-meters of torque transferring its power to the ground via an older five-speed automatic transmission.  But it’s more than adequate because in the Colorado, traction limitation can become an issue especially on wet, muddy and slippery surfaces. Isuzu promises to bring in the 2.8 lump once Euro IV fuels become available nationwide to avoid the issue of warranty problems of failing fuel systems caused by poor diesel fuel quality.

Driving from Metro Manila to Subic via NLEx and SCTEx for the second leg of the STV-Auto Rally Corporate Challenge hosted by media pillar Ray Butch Gamboa, the new D-Max makes quick work of the highway. Cruising at a steady 100-120 kilometers per hour delivers an impressive 17.4 kilometers per liter, the absence of engine drone, tire and wind noise being a welcome respite from the early morning wake-up call. Highway manners are far improved: Steering is slow and steady but with better, more accurate feel than the older model. The brakes are still soft but easily modulated, with decent feel and feedback. Throttle response is linear; there’s definitely not much there but once we get to the winding roads of Subic, particularly through the old Naval Mag area and Forest Reserve, the throttle’s linearity makes overtaking safe and predictably consistent. On turn-in, there’s that distinctive slight delay form when the fronts start turning, followed by the rears, but breakaway feel is impressive as the tires let out a gentle squeal before progressing into a full-on howl to warn you of the impending loss of traction and your sensibility. On the winding roads of Subic, littered with uneven surfaces, potholes, dips, camber changes and undulations, the D-Max was, dare-I-say-it, loads of fun. And it still delivered an overall average of 13 kilometers per liter inside Subic’s many undulating passes. There’s also ABS-EBD brakes available plus dual airbags, in keeping with the modern, safety-conscious times.

While the D-Max brought sophistication to a segment previously demoted to business and agricultural necessity rather than a subjective desire, it was left behind when competitors rushed to introduce their own models. Finally, Isuzu can stand proud by offering a truly formidable, complete and sophisticated, as well as well-rounded, pickup alternative to pickup buyers looking for mean pickup looks with a sprinkling of versatility and modernity. The most promising bit for the industry though is that the D-Max will be made at Isuzu Philippines Corp.’s  Biñan, Laguna factory, helping ensure jobs for the local economy.