2024 Isuzu D-Max debuts with updated styling, improved tech

Isuzu Motors Limited has unveiled the updated 2024 D-Max for the Thai market. It gets significant improvements to its exterior styling, an improved advanced driver assist safety kit, and more in the way of off-road capability. 

2024 Isuzu D-Max D-Cross [Photo: Isuzu Thailand]

This updated version of the truck previews what’s most likely coming to the Philippine market. Isuzu Philippines, however, is launching the D-Max Limited this week, but that may be focused on exterior enhancements only. In turn, the brand is yet to share when the updated 2024 model will reach our shores.

So for now, let’s talk about the improvements on the 2024 Isuzu D-Max V-Cross (LS-E in the Philippines) which will be initially sold in Thailand this week.

Exterior

The new and improved version of the third-generation Isuzu D-Max appears to have gained a heftier, more macho look. This comes courtesy of an angular “power bulge” added to its hood, as well as a slimmer two-bar grille. 

A closer look at the 2024 D-Max's grille [Photo: Isuzu Thailand]

The new front fascia also received a pair of hook-shaped LED daytime running lamps positioned just above the new main headlamps which are now bi-LED. The front bumper meanwhile, was enhanced with new air curtains. These are found before the front tires, and they are said to improve the truck’s aerodynamics. 

Not much has changed for the side portion of the truck, but its rear portion has received a more prominent tailgate spoiler. Its taillights also received a redesign consisting of three levels of L-shaped LED tubes. The brand says these are presented as if the truck’s rear sprouted a bird’s wings. 

2024 D-Max from the rear [Photo: Isuzu Thailand]

Interior 

Step inside the 2024 D-Max and one will see that it has a new interior theme. The general shape of the dashboard was carried over from the older D-Max, but the seats, interior door panels, and the steering wheel now get a two-tone look.

The seats were updated with a new design with perforations on their black-colored sections. This design is dubbed “Coolmax” which is said to be able to reduce heat accumulation by way of a new leather material. The driver’s seat is still an eight-way power-adjustable seat. 

Inside the updated Isuzu pickup truck [Photo: Isuzu Thailand]

The interior door cards also received a revamped look thanks to a new textured surface adjacent to the door armrests. Just above the door handles are new glossy brown trim pieces which were gloss black on the pre-updated D-Max. In addition, the D-Max’s dual-zone automatic climate control system was also improved with a 2.5 air filter. 

Other than those, the 2024 D-Max carries over many convenience features found in the pre-updated model. This includes a 60:40 split-folding rear seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a push-to-start button, and rain-sensing wipers.

The 2024 D-Max's seats [Photo: Isuzu Thailand]

Tech & Safety

For onboard entertainment, the higher trims of the Thai-spec D-Max get a nine-inch infotainment touchscreen which now comes with physical knobs on its bottom corners. Further improving this touchscreen display is the brand’s in-house designed graphical user interface (GUI) for better visibility and user-friendliness.

The said infotainment touchscreen is also integrated with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. This means it has better smartphone integration than the larger 10.1-inch head unit currently offered on the Philippine-spec D-Max. On top of that, many of the older type A USB ports from the old model were replaced with type C ports. Sound meanwhile, is still outputted by an eight-piece speaker system. 

The touchscreen gets an updated GUI [Photo: Isuzu Thailand]

For the driver meanwhile, the 2024 D-Max gets a new seven-inch digital instrument display. It is seven inches in size, and a user can toggle between display formats. Analog gauges can still be found on either side of the digital display, but these also come with a sleeker, more compact design. 

Another key improvement on the 2024 D-Max is the addition of a new camera. This allows the truck’s advanced driver assist safety suite (ADAS) to detect oncoming traffic and pedestrians at an intersection and apply automatic emergency braking (AEB) to stop the vehicle if a collision is imminent. And to make sure the camera works even in low temperatures, Isuzu added a heating element around its lens. This will warm up automatically in order to prevent clouding in the glass surrounding the lens. 

The truck can also warn the driver via flashing lights on the side mirrors if there are obstacles or other cars from behind. This can be useful for backing up from a parking sport. The AEB can also stop the truck from rear collisions in the event the driver misses the warning. 

The D-Max's new seven-inch digital instrument display [Photo: Isuzu Thailand]

Isuzu also added adaptive cruise control for the D-Max’s manual variants. But other than those mentioned, we can expect that the updated version will also carry over the existing safety bits from the older model. This includes anti-lock braking, stability control, traction control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring, among others. 

Engine

The 2024 Isuzu D-Max is getting the same engine options. The 1.9-liter turbodiesel version still makes 148 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque, while the 3.0-liter turbodiesel on higher-spec trims can still churn out 190 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque. 

The 4x4 version of the Thai-spec V-Cross (LS-E) does get a rear-locking differential for better traction. Note that this feature is crucial for off-roading, but for the currently available Philippine-spec version, it is only available on the lower grade LS 4x4 MT. 

The updated truck is poised for better off-road capability [Photo: Isuzu Thailand]

Added to the 2024 D-Max is the rough terrain mode. With a press of a button, the said driving mode improves the performance of the D-Max’s traction control, giving the most optimized torque and traction to the wheels, which prevents wheel spin when driving in tough or rough terrain.    

With all that said, it is hoped that these new features on the Thai-spec D-Max will make it to the Philippines as well. Then again, we still don’t know when the updated Isuzu truck will make it to our shores, but if we had to guess, that might happen in 2024. Fingers crossed. 

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