Choosing a truck that gets every job done makes the difference
When it comes to selecting a pick-up truck, it is easy to get caught up in all the marketing hype, snazzy paintwork or the promise of a lifestyle image. Often, that enthusiasm quickly wanes when owners realise how limited the capabilities of their vehicles are or how expensive it is to upkeep.
On the other hand, choosing wisely to buy a pick-up truck that ticks all the right boxes ensures that the ownership experience remains a fulfilling one, long after it has left the showroom floor. It is a truck that you wake up to and know full well, it will handle just about any task you expect of it and see you through your tough day as your best buddy should.
So what is it that makes a pick-up truck stand apart from the rest? Here are five important factors to consider when deciding on your next pick-up truck:
Tough as nails
A truck needs to work hard. Carrying heavy loads as a daily routine over potholed roads, along muddy trails or making regular 500km dashes across the country in a day count as a normal day for a pick-up truck.
As the only pick-up truck that inherits its DNA from a commercial vehicle company, the Isuzu D-MAX boasts a chassis and engine that is designed and built truck tough!
Isuzu engineers spend countless hours stress testing new frame designs to ensure not only driving pleasure but to gain greater durability and safety. These designs are tested to an equivalent of 4 million kilometers before they actually reach the showroom floors. The result is a D-MAX that offers significantly improved handling, stability and strength for consistent driving pleasure throughout its life.
One you can rely on
There can be nothing more frustrating for a vehicle owner than to constantly deal with vehicle breakdowns, parts that easily break or fail, or repeatedly having to return the vehicle to the workshop for attention.
It raises the question; can we depend on our car or truck to bring us on that long journey with our precious family or with the goods that MUST arrive half way across the country by noon tomorrow? Do you always need to have a Plan B or a standby vehicle?
As Isuzu engineers always emphasize, the D-MAX should be our buddy. It is the friend you always turn to and the friend who always has your back no matter what.
This is why Isuzu engineers ensure their vehicles come with typical Japanese reliability. Everything is purpose-built or created to withstand the rigors of tough daily life and more.
Building a pick-up truck to perform with clockwork reliability comes naturally with Isuzu. Know-how comes from decades of intimate involvement with customers who extract all the strengths of their trucks on a daily basis and more.
Vulnerable components such as the radiator and intercooler are protected by steel beams while the oil sump is shielded by a massive 3mm thick steel plate. Items that may ingest mud and water during off-roading such as the rear axle breather and air intake for the engine are placed high, allowing the D-MAX to wade at a class-leading 800mm.
On events such as the Borneo Safari, failure is not an option. No matter the conditions or how demanding the route may be, the media and guests must always get to the finish safely.
What is even more amazing is that some of the Borneo Safari D-MAX trucks have been through multiple events. Every year, it just receives thorough cleaning, a fresh set of tyres, an engine oil change and it is ready to tackle Asia’s toughest off-road challenge once again. That’s dependability!
Going the distance
It is often said that power is nothing without control. While that remains true, we also believe that power with limited fuel range is equally pointless. After all, who needs to stop every couple of hundred kilometers for fuel or constantly having to re-route in search of a fuel station during the journey?
Fuel efficiency is not just a matter of reaping the savings to put in your pocket or to be kind to the environment. Those are the tangible benefits. Time and effort taken to go out in search of a petrol station is an inconvenience many people do not take into consideration. For those living in remote parts of the country, having a limited fuel range further raises anxiety levels, needing to constantly monitor fuel usage and planning when you need to go in search of fuel.
Petrol stations in flood-prone towns can sometimes suffer from fuel contamination in their storage tanks. This fuel might then be pumped into vehicles causing engine damage or breakdowns. To avoid such risks, it is always advisable to refuel at major petrol stations in larger towns that have higher elevations. This might not always be possible unless you drive vehicles with excellent fuel range.
With a pick-up truck like the Isuzu D-MAX, you can easily get to your destination and possibly even back without needing to stop for fuel. This was proven lately when the trucks embarked on the D-MAX One Tank. One Nation. challenge—completing a 1,756 km loop of Peninsular Malaysia with 5% fuel remaining in the tank, as well as a 1,605 km drive from Sandakan to Kuching in East Malaysia with approximately 9% fuel to spare, all on just a single tank of fuel. Notably, during the East Malaysia leg covering the journey from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu, a cumulative elevation gain of 4,923 m was recorded.
Just right for you
Everyone has different needs and requirements when it comes to choosing a pick-up truck. Whether we use it hard on a farm or send goods between towns or simply because we love the unique assurance a pick-up truck offers, our expectations of how the truck serves us varies. So why do we need to buy a vehicle that doesn’t fit our needs?
With ten different variants of the Isuzu D-MAX to choose from, you have the widest selection of pick-up trucks in the market to exactly match what you’re looking for. Customers looking for an award-winning pick-up truck should look no further than the X-Terrain model. Featuring all the luxurious touches that top SUVs possess, the X-Terrain appeals very much to those who yearn the toughness and go-anywhere capability of a pick-up truck but still remain cocooned in sophisticated ambience.
Next comes the D-MAX Premium 4×4 variants that are available either with the highly-respected 3.0-litre turbo diesel engine or the latest innovation – the 2.2-litre turbo diesel.
This highly-popular model is high in demand for its excellent specifications and features that make driving a real pleasure. With its high level of comfort coming from its premium features and sophisticated four-wheel drive system, it has proven an ideal choice for pick-up truck owners who spend lots of time in their vehicles.
A standout favorite for both practical business owners and adventure enthusiasts is the D-MAX 2.2L 4×4 Standard. Offered in both Automatic and Manual transmissions, this variant has become a top choice for business operations requiring dependable off-road power, as well as overlanding enthusiasts seeking a reliable, economical, and highly capable platform to build their ultimate adventure rig.
While the D-MAX is highly respected for its amazing off-road capabilities, the truth is that not everyone requires 4×4 capabilities in their trucks.
Many owners use their trucks primarily on sealed tarmac for jobs in construction or renovation works, highway escort, goods distribution or even courier services. For this, Isuzu Malaysia offers the only 4×2 Auto pick-up truck in the market.
The Auto Plus variant comes with plenty of capability in terms of load carrying and space for 5 adults, offering plenty of value to business folk. Featuring a high-ride configuration, the Auto Plus tackles mild off-road tracks with ease. With a lower kerb weight and less friction from its driveline, this model has proven to be the ultimate mileage buster.
For the owner who truly needs to move significant loads, the answer comes in the form of the D-MAX Single Cab. Featuring a 2.3m-long cargo bed, large or bulky items are a cinch to carry. And with a payload capability of 935kg in Malaysia’s first Single Cab Automatic pick-up truck, hauling goods has never been easier. Add to it a mix of sophisticated 4×4 functions and you have a vehicle that easily gets you and your cargo through the toughest of situations.
A buddy that cares
One of the reasons that owners enjoy driving their pick-up trucks is due to its commanding driving position. It evokes a sense of security as you enjoy a clear view of the surroundings. However, with a higher stance raises the question of vehicle stability and how the vehicle reacts in corners or in emergency situations.
Here is where some trucks differ. With the Isuzu D-MAX, safety starts from the basic design of the truck. The front and rear suspension have been designed to provide assured handling and offer excellent high-speed stability.
Added to this, advanced features such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA) provide D-MAX drivers with a very assured feel whether on a leisurely drive or in an emergency situation.
To protect both the occupants and other road users, the Isuzu D-MAX features one of the strongest passenger cells in its class. In event of a major collision, the D-MAX’s airbags have been specifically designed to not only provide greater protection, their shapes and pattern of deployment reduce the level of occupant injury. Should the airbags deploy too, the vehicle’s door locks automatically unlock to ensure occupants don’t get trapped inside.
Pedestrians are also well protected as the frontal design of the D-MAX is designed with strategically-deformable body panels thus reducing the severity of head, back and limb injuries in event of an impact.
It is not surprising then that the current D-MAX range not only achieves its 5-star rating from ASEAN NCAP, it also surpasses the 5-star NCAP ratings in Europe and Australia making the D-MAX a pick-up truck that truly cares for your wellbeing.
Combined with its handsome good looks, comfort for long-distance travel, excellent ergonomics for easy operation and the sheer pleasure of driving for serious work or even more serious leisure and you have a genuine pick-up truck that satisfies both the head and the heart.
