Isuzu D-MAX Gets New 2.2L Diesel & Malaysia’s First Automatic Single Cab

Isuzu Malaysia has launched the latest 2026 D-MAX range, headlined by a new 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel engine that promises better performance, improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions.

Another talking point from the D-MAX range update is the arrival of Malaysia’s first automatic Single Cab in the pick-up market, giving buyers another option in a segment that usually leans heavily toward manual and work-focused setups.

More Power, More Torque, Better Refinement

The new 2.2-litre engine replaces the 1.9-litre unit in selected variants and is said to bring gains across the board, from power delivery and drivability to fuel economy and emissions.

Isuzu says the engine now produces 163PS at 3,600rpm and 400Nm of torque between 1,600rpm and 2,400rpm. More than half of the maximum torque is available from 1,000rpm, which should help with low-speed pulling power and everyday drivability.

The engine is paired with a new 8-speed automatic gearbox with sequential shift, designed to improve response and overall driving feel.

Speaking at the launch, Isuzu Malaysia CEO Tomoyuki Yamaguchi said: “Our 1.9-litre Isuzu D-MAX range has been very popular among users who come away impressed with its ability to make every journey a smooth, comfortable and efficient one. Today, we bring a new level of performance and driving pleasure with the introduction of the all-new 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel powered Isuzu D-MAX range. I believe Malaysian motorists will appreciate that the new model boasts improved driving character while offering greater fuel efficiency.”

Isuzu Malaysia Chief Operating Officer Kenichi Kudo added: “Significantly, more than half of the maximum torque is generated from 1,000rpm, giving the new model plenty of low-end grunt making it supremely pleasurable to drive. Coupled to this, the new engine comes paired with a new 8-speed automatic gearbox with sequential shift, bringing a new level of driving dynamics be it for business or leisure.”

Malaysia’s First Automatic Single Cab

The new 2.2-litre lineup includes the Isuzu D-MAX 2.2L Single Cab Auto, making it the first automatic Single Cab available in Malaysia.

According to Isuzu, this variant uses the same 8-speed automatic transmission as the rest of the 2.2-litre range, but with a revised final drive to better suit payload requirements. It also gets Rough Terrain Mode, which is part of Isuzu’s off-road traction control system.

That is the detail that matters most for business users. A Single Cab with an automatic gearbox should make the D-MAX more appealing to operators who want convenience without giving up load-carrying practicality.

Range Layout And Updates

The 2.2-litre engine will be offered in the Premium 4×4 variant, followed by the 4×2 Auto Plus and Standard 4×4. The flagship X-Terrain remains powered by the 3.0-litre engine.

The whole 2.2-litre range complies with Euro 5 exhaust emission standards, making it one of the cleaner pick-up truck options in its class.

Elsewhere, the 2026 D-MAX range receives a number of visual and equipment updates, including new light clusters, grille, rims and side steps. Selected variants also get new colours (Inishmore Green & Obsidian Gray), while the automatic models feature body-coloured bumpers for a more contemporary look.

Equipment upgrades include:

• a new 10-inch infotainment system for the X-Terrain, Premium and 4×2 Auto Plus
• a new 7-inch head unit for the Standard variant
• Tailgate Assist for the Standard variant
• Rough Terrain Mode as standard across all 4×4 models, including the Single Cab 4×4 Manual

Pricing And Warranty

Prices for the new D-MAX 2.2L Single Cab (M) start from RM103,121.20 on the road without insurance in Peninsular Malaysia, RM105,204.60 in Sabah and RM105,267.60 in Sarawak.

The D-MAX 2.2L Premium 4×4 is priced at RM141,821.20 in Peninsular Malaysia, RM144,804.60 in Sabah and RM144,867.60 in Sarawak.

Isuzu says all 2026 D-MAX 2.2L and 3.0L variants come with a 20,000km/2-year free periodic maintenance service package and a 150,000km or 5-year warranty, except for the X-Terrain, which gets a 7-year unlimited mileage warranty.

The new models are now available at authorised Isuzu showrooms nationwide. For more information on the D-MAX range, visit https://pickuptruck.isuzu.net.my/

CarTok Editor’s Note

The timing of this D-MAX update may seem odd given the current global situation. But such happenings are beyond the control of most. And workhorses do not get to stop working just because fuel prices change.

The new 2.2-litre engine is not merely about adding power from 150PS to 163PS or reaching the 400Nm figure. The more strategic value lies in improving efficiency and drivability at lower revs, allowing the truck to do the same job with less effort and potentially lower fuel burn under real-world load conditions, because in times like this, every litre counts.

The first automatic Single Cab is equally significant in this environment. Commercial vehicles spend much of their lives in stop-start urban traffic, industrial zones and congested logistics corridors. An automatic transmission reduces driver fatigue, improves accessibility across a wider labour pool, and helps optimise shift logic for better fuel use compared with inconsistent manual driving habits.

In short, Isuzu has positioned the D-MAX as a smarter tool for a tougher economic climate.