Expert review
Isuzu D-Max 2.2 (2026 - ) review
The Isuzu D-Max 2.2’s engine upgrade makes it better to drive than previous models without losing ANY of its established appeal… and that’s all
Words by: Tom Roberts
Published on 24 September 2026 | 0 min read
The Autotrader expert verdict:
The D-Max really did need a new engine. So, we’ve got a new 2.2-litre diesel engine to replace the long-serving and noisy 1.9-litre unit, providing more torque and less noise while keeping power output and overall performance the same. Beyond that, there are some new flourishes on the exterior and alloys for the higher trim level, a new set of paint options… and that’s probably why the new truck deserves a bit of scrutiny, because not a lot else – besides a new engine – has really changed. But it’s not a bad thing. Because even if the D-Max still competes unfavourably with more refined trucks like the indomitable Ford Ranger (despite being more affordable) and outperforms pick-ups like the KGM Musso Rhino in sheer durability terms, it’s the go-to truck for the agricultural setting. Indeed, it’s often one of the go-to trucks people look at first for any setting where being hard-as-nails and capable of carrying serious weight while dealing with tough terrain is the prime requirement. And this is the best D-Max yet, perhaps the best we’ll see for a few years, and that’s going to be the thrusting point of this whole review. D-Max didn’t need to do anything new, but it did need a better engine and now it’s got one.
Reasons to buy:
- New 2.2-litre diesel engine
- Practicality remains high
- New external styling
Cargo & practicality
Have a read of any of the D-Max reviews we’ve published to-date and you’ll see there’s little difference in terms of practicality ratings… being practical is what this truck does best. So, the new trucks fitted with the 2.2-litre diesel engine can carry payloads of up to 1,205 kg and have a towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes. The truck itself is available in a variety of body types, including Single Cab, Extended Cab, and Double Cab configurations across the pick-up’s ‘Utility’, ‘DL20’, ‘DL40’, and ‘V-Cross’ trim levels. A commercial variant of all Double Cab configs are available qualifying for flat-rate Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax and 100 per cent capital allowance… which is pretty great, and very in line with other trucks being offered in commercial formats – such as the Mitsubishi L200 Commercial.
Expert rating: 5/5
Interior
The cabin has remained relatively untouched aside from some redesigned seats with new textured cloth as standard on the Utility and DL20 trims, and full leather as standard on DL40 and V-Cross models. Aside from that, the screen is the same, controls are the same… it’s mostly the same. Which doesn’t hurt the D-Max at all because it’s not meant to be a new D-Max, it’s the D-Max we know and love with a new engine.
Expert rating: 3/5
Running costs
So, the new engine claims to improve fuel economy with an mpg rating sitting somewhere between 31.4 to 32.8 mpg (WLTP), and we saw around 32.5. That means WLTP figures are getting more reliable! The new eight-speed automatic gearbox (fitted on the model we tested) helps with efficiency, as do the Dunlop tyres they’re fitted with when new. Prices start at around £33.5K ex VAT and top out with the V-Cross at just under £43K ex VAT. That plonks it into a category of competitively-priced pick-up trucks alongside trucks like the GWM POER300 and KGM Musso Rhino – which all undercut the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux. A good finance or lease deal will make acquiring one easier to budget for.
Expert rating: 3/5
Reliability
The D-Max comes with a solid five-year / 125,000-mile warranty with roadside assistance, which is more than the three-year warranty the Ford Ranger gets. As with most pick-up trucks, the suspension joints are the major weak points, but the last refresh saw the D-Max gain a new suspension setup specifically designed to mitigate wear. The D-Max is known for being reliable and tough, and it’s hard to imagine that a new and slightly more efficient engine would change that.
Expert rating: 4/5
Performance
The all-new engine is a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine outputting around 160 horsepower. It produces more torque – 40 more Nm than the 1.9-litre diesel unit, to be precise – giving you 400 Nm of maximum torque to play with. Notably, 255 Nm are available at just 1,000 rpm which translates into slightly more low-end response when pulling away and really helps if you’re carrying a heavy load or towing at lower speeds. It’s not quick, but what truck is beyond performance models? You’ll get up to speed fine on normal roads and have more than enough power at the low-end if you’re taking the truck over some rugged terrain.
Expert rating: 4/5
Ride and handling
You get a choice of either a six-speed manual gearbox or the new eight-speed automatic box, the latter of which is definitely our preferred choice. Off-road capabilities remain excellent with 220mm ground clearance and a wading depth of up to 800 mm. The D-Max features a shift-on-the-fly 4WD system allowing quick transitions between 2WD and 4WD. You also get Selectable Rear Differential Lock (in 4WD Low), Rough Terrain Mode (RTM), Hill Start Assist (HSA), and Hill Descent Control (HDC) as standard across the range. The new Dunlop tyres fitted as standard claim to deliver a seven per cent improvement in friction on wet surfaces… which is great to hear, but the D-Max is already a confident off-roader so it’s hard to say we really noticed the difference. What we did notice when we took the truck to our local woodland, fields and a gravel bowl was an overall quieter experience while off-roading, there’s still the occasional shunt as you add more power, but none of the noise. The new engine has clearly been tested to the hilt. On-road handling is absolutely fine… this is no sports car and it’s not as if you’re going to drive it like one, eh?
Expert rating: 4/5
Safety
Aside from the D-Max’s established list of safety features, highlights on the new 2.2-litre models include the Driver Monitoring System, Advanced Driver Distraction (ADD) warning and Emergency Lane Keeping systems. You also get a full 360-degree Surround View Camera system on DL40 and V-Cross trims, which uses digital cameras on the front grille, tailgate and wing mirrors to give you full awareness of your surroundings when maneuvering. We found it really safe to drive, and can imagine that if this truck was your first pick-up, you’d feel the same.
Expert rating: 4/5
Equipment
On the outside, the new D-Max 2.2 features a redesigned front radiator grille, new front fog lamp housing on the DL20, DL40 and V-Cross models, new grey LED headlight accent colors on DL40 and V-Cross trims, and updated rear LED lamp colours. You get 16-inch steel wheels on the Utility trim Single Cabs, 18-inch steel wheels on the Utility trim Double Cabs, and new 18-inch alloy wheels in silver (DL20 trim), grey metallic (DL40 trim), or dark grey metallic (V-Cross trim). Finally, there are eight new paint options to choose from, including one called ‘Urban Moss’ which is a metallic paint option (available for a price). The rest of the equipment is relatively unchanged from previous models. Like we said… this latest D-Max is all about the new engine.
Expert rating: 4/5
Why buy?
You’ll buy the new Isuzu D-Max 2.2 because you want to drive the best D-Max yet, and have a tough and responsive pick-up truck at your disposal. Its pricing is good, practicality high and it packs an off-road system capable of tackling (really nearly) anything. The new engine is quieter, slightly better at the low-end, but otherwise the truck remains as good as it ever was. Yes, there are other pick-ups to choose from if you want a more refined overall package, but D-Max has never pretended to be anything other than tough and practical. There’s a simplicity to its focused approach to doing those things well, which we (and many others) like.
Expert rating: 3/5