The wait for the all-new, locally built Isuzu D-Max is finally over! Let’s take a look at pricing and specifications for South Africa’s newest bakkie entrant…

Following a significant investment of R1.2-billion in 2019 to upgrade its Struandale production facilities in Gqeberha, Isuzu is finally launching its all-new D-Max bakkie on local soil.The investment has secured at least 1 000 jobs and as many as 25 000 jobs throughout the supply chain in South Africa.

Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel and Isuzu CEO, Billy Tom, rubbing elbows in Gqeberha.

Last year, agovernment delegation, including Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel visited Isuzu’s facilities in Gqeberha and met with Isuzu CEO, Billy Tom.

“Our focus remains on being able to ensure the sustainability of Isuzu’s operations in South Africa. We are committed to transformation and believe that an inclusive economy is the foundation to economic prosperity for all citizens. We ascribe to the 2035 vision of the South Africa Automotive Masterplan to be a globally competitive and transformed industry that actively contributes to the sustainable development of South Africa’s productive economy,” said Tom.

Unpacking the SA line-up for the new Isuzu D-Max

The new Isuzu D-Max has the look and it’s bound to win South African hearts

The new D-Max, with its bold and imposing styling, is set to ruffle a few feathers now that it’s finally gone on sale in local showrooms.

The 2022 Isuzu D-Max is built to suit various customer needs and buyers will be able to choose fromsingle-cab, extended-cab and double-cabbody styles. Sharing its underpinnings with the new Mazda BT-50, the D-Max is powered by a revised 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine with 140 kW and 450 Nm in conjunction with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission.

But don’t let those outputs fool you, the same engine in the Mazda BT-50 has proven that it’s a strong performer which was clearly evident in our recent 2021 Big Bakkie Bonanza, not to mention that the BT-50 is also currently the second-fastest double-cab bakkie in South Africa. This all bodes very well for the D-Max!

But that’s not all, the D-Max will also be offered with a 1.9-litre turbodiesel engine with110 kW and 350 Nm of torque.

More so, the new D-Max will undoubtedly look to build on its reputation as a formidable off-road vehicle and features 240 mm ground clearance and an 800mm wading depth. Approach, departure and break-over angles are improved too and an electro-magnetic differential lock is fitted to 4×4 derivatives.

The new 23-strong D-Max range starts with the single-cab D-Max which isoffered only with the 1.9-litre engine,while the extended-cab and double-cab D-Max models are availablewill eitherthe 1.9-litre or the 3.0-litre turbodiesel powerplants. Each body style is furthermore offered in either 4×2 or 4×4 guise.

Trim grades include Standard and L for the single-cab variants,while the extended cab derivatives are offered in Standard, L, LS, LSE and LSE trim. As for the double-cab D-Max, trim grades include L, L, LS, LSE and the range-topping V-Cross trim.

As for the interior, the new D-Max is vastly improvedover the outgoing model, with modern infotainment systems and connectivity solutions as well as a range of comfort and convenience features that customers in this segment have come to expect.

A brief look at 2022 Isuzu D-Max specifications

The entry-levelStandard trim level ships with items such as a basic audio system (featuring a radio, CD player and Bluetooth), manual air-conditioning, an immobiliser, follow-me-home headlamps and tilt-and-telescopic adjustment for the steering column. Safety features include dual front airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist.

The L specification level, meanwhile, adds items such as an alarm, electric windows and audio controls on the steering wheel. Safety is further enhanced with the addition of IsoFix child-seat anchors in the double-cab variants. One step up, the LS trim includes 17-inch alloy wheels, a 7-inch infotainment screen, Wi-Fi connectivity, 6 speakers, USB ports (fore and aft), cruise control, 7airbags, halogen daytime-running lights, a reversing camera and black side steps.

In LSE models, the diameter of the wheels grows to 18 inches, while tyre-pressure monitoring is added. The infotainment system upgrades to a 9-inch screen and two extra speakers are added, while a passive entry start system also features. Additional enhancements include LED head- and taillamps, dual-zone automatic air-conditioning, front and rear park assist, a tow bar, roof rails and a tubular chrome sports bar.

The V-Cross specification level sits at the very summit of the D-Max range, boasting items such as leather seats (with 8-way power adjustment), 8 airbags and automatic high-beam activation for the headlamps. It is further differentiated by gun-metallic finishes for the grille, fender flares, door handles, side-mirror caps, roof rails and the hooped sports bar.

Finally, the V-Cross gains a raft of active driving safety features, including forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, rear cross traffic alert and a multi-collision braking system that automatically applies the stoppers when the airbags are deployed.

2022 Isuzu D-Max pricing in SA (April 2022)

D-Max 1.9 Ddi Single Cab HR: R401 700

D-Max 1.9 Ddi Single Cab HR L: R421 000

D-Max 1.9 Ddi Single Cab HR L AT: R439 200

D-Max 1.9 Ddi Single Cab 4×4 L: R506 200

D-Max 1.9 Ddi Single Cab 4×4 L AT: R528 800

D-Max 1.9 Ddi Extended Cab HR: R433 600

D-Max 1.9 Ddi Extended Cab HR L: R448 500

D-Max 1.9 Ddi Extended Cab HR LS: R477 000

D-Max 1.9 Ddi Extended Cab HR LS AT: R496 200

D-Max 3.0 Ddi Extended Cab HR LSE AT: R595 100

D-Max 3.0 Ddi Extended Cab 4×4 LSE AT: R670 300

D-Max 1.9 Ddi Double Cab HR L: R498 900

D-Max 1.9 Ddi Double Cab HR L AT: R517 100

D-Max 1.9 Ddi Double Cab HR LS: R520 800

D-Max 1.9 Ddi Double Cab HR LS AT: R537 500

D-Max 1.9 Ddi Double Cab 4×4 L: R575 900

D-Max 1.9 Ddi Double Cab 4×4 LS AT: R629 300

D-Max 3.0 Ddi Double Cab HR LSE AT: R716 400

D-Max 3.0 Ddi Double Cab 4×4 LS: R679 400 D-Max

D-Max 3.0 Ddi Double Cab 4×4 LS AT: R697 200

D-Max 3.0 Ddi Double Cab 4×4 LSE AT: R771 100

D-Max 3.0 Ddi Double Cab V-Cross HR AT: R760 100

D-Max 3.0 Ddi Double Cab V-Cross 4×4 AT: R814 700

For the latest, updated pricing check out our new car specs page

Buy a new or used Isuzu D-Max on Cars.co.za

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