All-new third generation Isuzu D-Max won’t be in Malaysia until 2022

Several months ago, the all-new third generation 2020 Isuzu D-Max made its global at the 2019 Thailand International Motor Expo. With chunkier looks and a far more refined interior, the all-new D-Max is a massive upgrade from the current model. However, the all-new D-Max won’t be launched in Malaysia anytime soon.

According to Isuzu Malaysia’s CEO Mr. Koji Nakamura, the third generation Isuzu D-Max is at least two years away.

Isuzu Malaysia had only launched the facelifted 2019 Isuzu D-Max, now locally-assembled at Pekan with a new 1.9-litre Ddi BluePower engine last September.  

The third generation D-Max is currently only on sale in Thailand, and exports have yet to begin.

Australia is Isuzu’s second biggest market in the region and Isuzu Ute Australia have also confirmed to the Australian media that the latest D-Max, although launched in Thailand, is still ‘some time’ away.

Nakamura added that introduction of the all-new D-Max in other countries outside of Thailand will not happen simultaneously, but will instead be done in stages.

Although the new generation D-Max features a new platform and body, the powertrain is carried over from the current (outgoing generation) model.

It will still be powered by the same range of Ddi BluePower engines - a 1.9-litre that makes 150 PS and 350 Nm, as well as 3.0-litre, the latter will be updated to push out 15 PS more power and 70 Nm more torque, totaling 190 PS and 450 Nm.

More on the all-new 2020 Isuzu D-Max here. Here's our review of the 2019 Isuzu D-Max 1.9-litre Ddi BluePower.