2022 Isuzu D-Max: Price rises and long waiting times for popular models – UPDATE

4 January 2022: The 2022 Isuzu D-Max has begun arriving in Australian showrooms, with minor updates, the option of a new 1.9-litre turbo diesel engine on the base model, big price bumps on key models – and no good news on waiting times.

The first shipments of the 2022 D-Max began arriving in December 2021, with higher prices on the most popular models, up by between $4000 and $10,000 depending on the variant.

Many of these recent arrivals are pre-orders that were sold months ago; order a new Isuzu D-Max today and some dealers are still quoting delivery times in excess of six months.

Importantly, for 2022 Isuzu has added a button on the steering wheel to disable one of its most annoying features: an over-zealous lane-keeping assistance program, one of the requirements to earn a five-star safety rating.

The 2022 Mazda BT-50 – the twin under the skin to the 2022 Isuzu D-Max – also has the same "favourites" button on the steering wheel to disable the over-zealous lane-keeping safety technology, but Mazda announced this important feature change last year. Isuzu Ute Australia for some reason has kept it secret until now.

For 2022, the flagship Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain double-cab 4x4 (pictured above) is now $62,990 drive-away – after originally launching at $58,990 drive-away, an increase of $4000.

The second most popular model in the line-up, the 3.0-litre single-cab-chassis 2WD manual "traffic controller," has leapt from $29,990 to $40,000 drive-away, an increase of $10,000.

Instead, the $29,990 drive-away price point will be filled by a new 1.9-litre turbo diesel 2WD manual (pictured below). It maintains the full suite of advanced safety technology that is fitted as standard on all other Isuzu D-Max model grades.

While you can click here to read more about the specific upgrades and price changes revealed in September 2021, the story below covers the highlights of the latest changes for 2022 – and a lot more detail on the 1.9-litre turbo diesel four-cylinder – followed by detailed pricing and specification lists for each variant.

Headlining the 2022 upgrades is a new 1.9-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine on the entry-level model, which develops 110kW and 350Nm – sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual or automatic – and claims to sip 7.0 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined cycle according to laboratory tests. This figure makes the 1.9-litre turbo diesel the most fuel-efficient Isuzu D-Max sold locally to date.

That output compares to the existing 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder offered on most D-Max variants, passing 140kW/450Nm through to rear- or four-wheel-drive layouts through six-speed manual or automatic transmissions. Fuel use ranges between 7.7 and 8.0L/100km.

While the 3.0-litre Isuzu D-Max can tow up to 3500kg, 1.9-litre versions can haul 3000kg with an automatic, or 2800kg with a manual. Payload is rated at up to 1405kg with the smaller engine.

Isuzu Ute Australia has also issued more detail on the 1.9-litre turbo diesel engine itself, for those who are technically-minded and are curious about its robustness given its smaller capacity.

Isuzu says the 1.9-litre turbo diesel delivers 110kW at 3600pm and 350Nm between 1800rpm and 2600rpm, generating the maximum 350Nm across 26.6 per cent of its available torque band.

Isuzu says 300Nm (or 85.7 per cent of the maximum torque output) is available across 71.6 per cent of the torque band – from 1550rpm through to 3700rpm.

Isuzu says the result is a "linear delivery of torque across the entire rev-range and strong mid-range response, which aids in both drivability and performance, particularly when carrying or towing a load." 

The Isuzu 1.9-litre turbo diesel utilises a cast-iron upper-block, aluminium lower-block (crankcase), and special patented aluminium alloy head combination – and has a relatively low (for a diesel) 15.9:1 compression ratio – for engine longevity. By comparison, the latest Isuzu 3.0-litre turbo diesel has a compression ratio of 16.3:1.

On the 1.9-litre "the valve-train features double overhead camshafts, with each cam lobe treated to induction hardening for durability, with roller bearing rocker arms actuating the 16 valves that feature an automatic hydraulic lash adjuster that maintains the optimal valve clearance at all times, meaning less maintenance and lower cost of ownership," says Isuzu Ute Australia.

"Adding an extra layer of durability and longevity to the engine, each cylinder bore is treated and strengthened with Isuzu’s induction-hardened melt-in liner, which significantly improves strength and friction for longevity and efficiency, without the need of an additional heavy steel bore liner." 

The company says each lightweight aluminium piston features a tapered internal design for added strength, and the combustion chamber is optimised for efficient air-and-fuel combustion – and has internal cooling passages for heat dissipation and longevity 

Each connecting rod bearing and crankshaft bearing are constructed with a special patented aluminium alloy for longevity. Isuzu says the steel timing chain is designed to be maintenance-free for the life of the engine.

With a 76-litre diesel fuel tank, the 1.9-litre Isuzu D-Max is capable of travelling close to a 1000km between fuel stops in ideal conditions.

Also new for 2022 is a mid-spec LS-U+ variant, which builds on the LS-U with features from the flagship 2022 X-Terrain, including heated front seats, an electric driver's seat, heated mirrors, leather seats, and more.

The heated elements are also new to the X-Terrain for 2022, along with red contrast stitching, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, additional badging, vanity mirror lights, black interior elements, and a tow bar receiver.

New features for the mid-spec LS-U for 2022 include keyless entry and start (with walk-away locking), an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, an under rail tub liner, and a tow bar receiver.

The LS-M gains rear parking sensors for the ute variant, and an expanded choice of cab chassis and ute body styles.

The entire range benefits from a new Lane Support System switch – also added to the related Mazda BT-50 for 2022 – which allows drivers to switch lane-keep assist, lane departure warning and prevention, and Emergency Lane Keeping systems off with a single switch.

Four-wheel-drive 3.0-litre models have also undergone a gross combination mass (GCM) increase to 6000kg.

In total, six new variants have been added for 2022: 1.9-litre SX Single Cab Chassis 4x2 manual and auto, SX Space Cab Chassis 4x2 auto, LS-M Crew Cab Chassis 4x4 auto, LS-U Crew Cab Chassis 4x4 auto, and LS-U+ Crew Cab Ute 4x4 auto.

Meanwhile, D-Max SX Space Cab Ute 4x2 automatic and SX Crew Cab Ute 4x4 manual models have been discontinued.

The only free colour available is Mineral White, with Basalt Black mica, Cobalt Blue mica, Mercury Silver metallic and Obsidian Grey metallic available on all variants for an extra $500. The LS-U, LS-U+ and X-Terrain can be had in Marble White pearl or Magnetic Red mica for an additional $500, while Volcanic Amber metallic is exclusive to the X-Terrain.

The 2022 Isuzu D-Max range will go on sale in Australia on 1 December 2021 – with the 1.9-litre SX Single Cab Chassis 4x2 set to follow on 4 January 2022.

Full pricing and specification lists are included below. For more details on the price rises applied to the 2022 D-Max range, click here to read the full story.

4x2

4x4

Note: All prices above exclude on-road costs, unless stated otherwise.

Below: Features in bold indicate they are new to the specific variant for Model Year 2022.