Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain, the New Lifestyle 4 x 4

Isuzu vehicles have been around for 57 years, and my earliest encounter with the Isuzu 4 x 4 was with the Trooper, a SUV that was purchased by the company that I was working with, in 1982. The Trooper was used as a project management vehicle for the construction of an oil palm mill off Lahat Datu in Sabah. The road from Lahat Datu to the mill site was 44 kilometres, but it was unpaved, and full of potholes. In the dry months, you would get your bones jarred over the hard and rough surface, and your mouth full of dust, and in the monsoon months, you never can predict when you can reach your destination because of the deep mud. A winch was a must, and even then, it was tough. The Trooper was really abused, but it survived the harsh treatment.

The Isuzu 4 x 4 pick-up started here with the Isuzu Rodeo, and we started seeing it here in the mid-1980’s. Mostly sold as workhorses, it was a strong vehicle with full 4 x 4 capabilities, and the D-max was the replacement model, first launched in 2002 and in 2019, its 3^rd Generation was born. Today, we have the refreshed 2021 model, which has two engine choices, and 7 different variants.

For today, we will concentrate on the Isuzu D-Max, X-Terrain, the range topper. Launched in April 2021, the new X-Terrain is targeted at the ‘lifestyle’ user – a study by Isuzu revealed that 44 percent of pick-up truck users are just ordinary people who want a more ‘adventurous’ and outdoor lifestyle, who use the pick-up truck as a daily commuter, and also perhaps use it for outings with family and friends on weekends. Whilst the commercial users want a tough and durable truck, these ‘lifestyle’ users want a ‘softer’ vehicle that has more creature comforts, and more attractive-looking, and with more safety features, and the Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain was developed with that in mind.

In terms of overall looks, the D-Max has a bolder front mask, and the X-Terrain comes with over-fenders, and attractive-looking Bi-LED projector headlamps with LED Daytime Running Lights. At the rear, there are LED Combination lights, and wheels are 18-inch with blacked out alloy rims for a more muscular effect. Bumpers are body-coloured, and roof-rails are standard for the X-Terrain. Two colours choices are available: Valencia Orange and Sapphire Blue. These colours are targeted more to the lifestyle user.

In the power department, the D-Max has two engine options, the base 1.9 litre, 150 PS diesel turbo engine, but the X-Terrain gets the 4JJ3-TCX 3.0 litre inline 4-cylinder DOHC, VGS turbo with intercooler diesel engine. Power output is a more-than-decent 190PS and 450Nm of torque. Power is to the rear wheels in 2WD mode through a 6-speed automatic transmission, with a sequential shift available by pulling the shift stick to the right.

Driving with the powerful engine is actually quite pleasant – there is plenty of power, as diesels get to maximum torque very early in the rev band, and the 6-speed automatic has well-spaced ratios that are good for leisurely driving, but if you grow some little horns, it will deliver as well we do have a video of the D-Max on our favourite hill climb. You may watch the video at (https://www.yskhongdriving.com/2021/04/27/isuzu-dmax-x-terrain-2021-genting-test-drive-ys-khong-driving/)

The controls are very user-friendly and very car-like, with a leather-bound steering wheel and automatic transmission that provides seamlessly smooth shifts.

The vehicle itself is very comfortable, with suspension tuned on the comfortable side of firm. Steering effort is light, and the occupants are treated to combination leather seats, electrically –controlled, 8-way for driver and 4-way for front passenger.

The interior is actually better-equipped than many cars, with a large 9-inch touchscreen audio system that is Apple and Android-friendly, steering is tilt and telescopic adjustable, with steering control buttons for audio, phone and other controls.  For driving information, there is a 4.2 –inch MID display in the instrument panel. Climate control comes standard, and there are USB charging ports at the front and rear. Doors come with speed-sensing auto locks, and assist handles on the A and B pillars.

Convenience features include Remote Engine Start, Walk Away Lock, and a Passive Entry and Start System (PESS).

Not to be outdone in the safety department, the D-Max X-Terrain comes with the full complement of Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS), which includes, Forward Collision Warning (FCW) with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Pedal Misapplication Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Blind spot Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), and Automatic High Beam (AHB)

For the busy executive who has to spend his weekdays stuck in an office, owning a D-Max X-Terrain provides a healthy change-over to an active and adventurous lifestyle. During the week, he or she goes to office driving like any other vehicle, but with a higher and commanding view of the surroundings, and on weekends, he or she can go to a totally different and fresh environment, and go where others cannot.

Life in the bustling city is quite hectic, and being able to unwind on weekends is becoming more a priority, and the D-Max X-Terrain is the perfect vehicle for the job.