Verdict
At RM103,121, the D-MAX costs RM3,141 more than the RM99,980 Xpander, but these are tools for very different jobs. The Isuzu brings 400 Nm from its 2.2-litre diesel, six-speed manual gearbox and all-wheel drive, where the Mitsubishi has 141 Nm, a 1.5-litre petrol engine and front-wheel drive. Yet the Xpander carries seven people, has a 495-litre boot and costs RM120 a year in road tax against RM571. For Malaysian family duty, the Mitsubishi is the clear fit; the D-MAX is for two-seat pickup work.
Pick the Isuzu D-MAX if you need a two-seat pickup with 400 Nm of diesel torque and all-wheel drive.
Pick the Mitsubishi Xpander if you need seven seats, a 495-litre boot and a four-speed automatic for less money.
Key differences
- Price: Isuzu D-MAX RM103,121; Mitsubishi Xpander RM99,980.
- Power and torque: Isuzu D-MAX 161 hp and 400 Nm; Mitsubishi Xpander 104 hp and 141 Nm.
- Driveline: Isuzu D-MAX all-wheel drive; Mitsubishi Xpander front-wheel drive.
- Seating: Isuzu D-MAX 2 seats; Mitsubishi Xpander 7 seats.
- Dimensions: Isuzu D-MAX 5,330 mm long; Mitsubishi Xpander 4,475 mm long.
- Road tax: Isuzu D-MAX RM571 per year; Mitsubishi Xpander RM120 per year.
D-MAX
- 161 hp and 400 Nm 2.2-litre diesel engine.
- All-wheel drive and a six-speed manual gearbox.
- 76-litre fuel tank and full-size spare tyre.
- Only two seats and two doors versus the Xpander's seven seats and five doors.
- RM571 annual road tax versus RM120.
- No reverse camera or rear parking sensors, while the Xpander has both.
Xpander
- Seven seats, five doors and a 495-litre boot.
- Nine-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- LED projector headlamps, reverse camera and rear parking sensors.
- 104 hp and 141 Nm trail the D-MAX's 161 hp and 400 Nm.
- Front-wheel drive rather than the D-MAX's all-wheel drive.
- 45-litre fuel tank is smaller than the D-MAX's 76 litres.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM103,121 | RM99,980✓ |
| Body type | Pickup | MPV |
| Segment | Truck/4X4 | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM571 | RM120✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Variable Geometry Turbocharger and Common-Rail Direct Injection | 16-valve DOHC naturally-aspirated, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,164 cc | 1,499 cc |
| Horsepower | 161 hp at 3,600 rpm✓ | 104 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 400 Nm✓ | 141 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Diesel | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 80 mm × 94.4 mm | 75 mm × 84.8 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 16.5 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Manual | 4AT |
| Gears | 6 | 4 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Jatco |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,330 mm | 4,475 mm |
| Width | 1,810 mm | 1,750 mm |
| Height | 1,770 mm | 1,720 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,125 mm | 2,775 mm |
| Weight | 1,805 kg | 1,240 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 76 litres | 45 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Seats | 2 | 7 |
| Boot Space | — | 495 litres |
| Front Tyre | 205R16C | 205/55R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 205R16C | 205/55R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size | Full Size |
| Factory Tyres | — | Bridgestone Ecopia 150 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson strut |
| Rear Suspension | Leaf Springs | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 16" Steel Wheels | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Steel Wheels | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 2 (Driver and Passenger) | 2 (Driver and Passenger) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 2 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | — | Available for two outer middle row passenger seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Reflector | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable, Driver's Seat Height Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | — | Second row 60:40 Split Fold, Third row 50:50 Split Fold |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Single-zone Manual Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents with Blower Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Audio | Radio with Bluetooth, USB and Two Speakers | 9" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Driver Side One Touch Up and Down | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down |
| Engine Start | Manual Key Ignition | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | — | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used D-MAX & Xpander for sale
D-MAX vs Xpander FAQ
Is the Isuzu D-MAX or Mitsubishi Xpander better?
The Xpander is better for carrying up to seven people and their luggage, while the D-MAX is better for two-seat pickup use needing 400 Nm and all-wheel drive.
What is the price difference?
The Isuzu D-MAX costs RM3,141 more than the Mitsubishi Xpander.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The Mitsubishi Xpander has lower annual road tax at RM120, compared with RM571 for the Isuzu D-MAX.
