Verdict
The Isuzu D-MAX RT Facelift is the more practical Malaysian buy at RM80,424: four doors, five seats, 60:40 rear backrests, a reverse camera and a 7.0-inch touchscreen with eight speakers make it far easier to live with. The RM22,697 dearer Isuzu D-MAX RG Facelift 2 brings 161 hp, 400 Nm, all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual, against the RT’s 134 hp, 320 Nm, rear-wheel drive and five-speed manual. Choose the RG only if its extra 27 hp and 80 Nm matter more than carrying passengers; it is a two-door, two-seat pickup.
Pick the Isuzu D-MAX RT Facelift if you need a five-seat, four-door pickup with more cabin equipment for RM22,697 less.
Pick the Isuzu D-MAX RG Facelift 2 if all-wheel drive, 161 hp and 400 Nm are more important than rear seats and convenience kit.
Key differences
- Price: RT Facelift RM80,424; RG Facelift 2 RM103,121.
- Output: RT Facelift 134 hp and 320 Nm; RG Facelift 2 161 hp and 400 Nm.
- Driveline and gearbox: RT Facelift rear-wheel drive with five-speed manual; RG Facelift 2 all-wheel drive with six-speed manual.
- Cabin layout: RT Facelift four doors and five seats; RG Facelift 2 two doors and two seats.
- Infotainment: RT Facelift 7.0-inch touchscreen with eight speakers; RG Facelift 2 radio with Bluetooth, USB and two speakers.
- Road tax: RT Facelift RM839 a year; RG Facelift 2 RM571 a year.
RT Facelift
- Four doors, five seats and 60:40 split-folding rear seats.
- Reverse camera, rear parking sensors and folding wing mirrors.
- 16-inch alloy wheels and a 7.0-inch touchscreen with eight speakers.
- 134 hp and 320 Nm trail the RG Facelift 2’s 161 hp and 400 Nm.
- Rear-wheel drive and a five-speed manual versus all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual.
- RM839 annual road tax, RM268 more than the RG Facelift 2.
RG Facelift 2
- 161 hp and 400 Nm from its 2,164 cc diesel.
- All-wheel drive with a six-speed manual gearbox.
- RM571 annual road tax, versus RM839 for the RT Facelift.
- RM103,121 price is RM22,697 above the RT Facelift.
- Only two doors and two seats, against the RT Facelift’s four doors and five seats.
- Steel wheels, no reverse camera or rear parking sensors, and a two-speaker radio instead of the RT’s touchscreen and eight speakers.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM80,424✓ | RM103,121 |
| Body type | Pickup | Pickup |
| Segment | Truck/4X4 | Truck/4X4 |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM839 | RM571✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC commonrail diesel with variable geometry turbo | 16-valve DOHC with Variable Geometry Turbocharger and Common-Rail Direct Injection |
| Capacity | 2,499 cc | 2,164 cc |
| Horsepower | 134 hp | 161 hp✓ |
| Torque | 320 Nm | 400 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Diesel | Diesel |
| Bore | 95.4 mm | 80 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 18.1 | 16.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 5 MT | 6-speed Manual |
| Gears | 5 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,295 mm | 5,330 mm |
| Width | 1,860 mm | 1,810 mm |
| Height | 1,795 mm | 1,770 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,095 mm | 3,125 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,805 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 76 litres | 76 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Front Tyre | 245/70R16 | 205R16C |
| Rear Tyre | 245/70R16 | 205R16C |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size | Full Size |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Dueler H/T | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Leaf Springs | Leaf Springs |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 16" Steel Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 16" Steel Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 4 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| ANCAP | 4 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| ASEAN NCAP | 4 stars — With 2 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger | Driver and Passenger |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Door | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 2 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available on two outer rear seats | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Projector | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable, Driver's Seat Height Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | — |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Manual Air-con |
| Power Sockets | 2 Front | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 3 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | 7" Touchscreen DVD/MP3 Player with 8 Speakers | Radio with Bluetooth, USB and Two Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Driver Side One Touch Up and Down |
| Engine Start | Manual Key | Manual Key Ignition |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | 150,000 km |
| 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.
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RT Facelift vs RG Facelift 2 FAQ
Is the Isuzu D-MAX RT Facelift or Isuzu D-MAX RG Facelift 2 better?
The RT Facelift is better for most buyers because it has four doors, five seats, a reverse camera and stronger cabin equipment. Pick the RG Facelift 2 only when its all-wheel drive, 161 hp and 400 Nm take priority over passenger space.
What is the price difference?
The Isuzu D-MAX RG Facelift 2 costs RM22,697 more: RM103,121 versus RM80,424 for the RT Facelift.
Which D-MAX is better for carrying passengers?
The RT Facelift. It has four doors, five seats, five three-point seat belts, rear child locks and ISOFIX on the two outer rear seats. The RG Facelift 2 has two doors, two seats and two three-point belts.
