Verdict
These two D-Max generations share the 5,330-mm body, 1,805-kg weight and six-speed manual, but their roles diverge sharply. The Isuzu D-MAX RG Facelift 2 brings a 2,164-cc diesel with 161 hp and 400 Nm, plus all-wheel drive: a real 13-hp and 50-Nm step up. Yet it is a two-door, two-seat workhorse on 16-inch steel wheels. The Isuzu D-MAX RG Facelift carries five through four doors, gets 17-inch alloys and rear parking sensors, and its RM399 annual road tax undercuts the other’s RM571.
Pick the Isuzu D-MAX RG Facelift if you need four doors, five seats, 17-inch alloy wheels and lower annual road tax.
Pick the Isuzu D-MAX RG Facelift 2 if the 161-hp, 400-Nm 2.2-litre diesel and all-wheel drive matter more than passenger space.
Key differences
- Engine output: 1,898 cc, 148 hp and 350 Nm versus 2,164 cc, 161 hp and 400 Nm.
- Driveline: rear-wheel drive versus all-wheel drive.
- Cabin layout: four doors and five seats versus two doors and two seats.
- Wheels and tyres: 17-inch alloys with 255/65R17 tyres versus 16-inch steel wheels with 205R16C tyres.
- Annual road tax: RM399 versus RM571.
- Rear parking assistance: two rear sensors versus no rear parking sensors.
RG Facelift
- Four doors and five seats
- 17-inch alloy wheels with 255/65R17 tyres
- Rear parking sensors and RM399 annual road tax
- 148 hp and 350 Nm trail the other model’s 161 hp and 400 Nm
- Rear-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive
RG Facelift 2
- 2,164-cc diesel makes 161 hp and 400 Nm
- All-wheel drive
- Only two doors and two seats, against four doors and five seats
- 16-inch steel wheels and narrower 205R16C tyres
- RM571 annual road tax is RM172 higher
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM92,199✓ | RM103,121 |
| Body type | Pickup | Pickup |
| Segment | Truck/4X4 | Truck/4X4 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM399✓ | RM571 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Variable Geometry Turbocharger and Common-Rail Direct Injection | 16-valve DOHC with Variable Geometry Turbocharger and Common-Rail Direct Injection |
| Capacity | 1,898 cc | 2,164 cc |
| Horsepower | 148 hp | 161 hp✓ |
| Torque | 350 Nm | 400 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Diesel | Diesel |
| Bore | 80 mm | 80 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Manual | 6-speed Manual |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,330 mm | 5,330 mm |
| Width | 1,810 mm | 1,810 mm |
| Height | 1,770 mm | 1,770 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,125 mm | 3,125 mm |
| Weight | 1,805 kg | 1,805 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 76 litres | 76 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Front Tyre | 255/65R17 | 205R16C |
| Rear Tyre | 255/65R17 | 205R16C |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size | Full Size |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Duravis R611 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (CBU) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Leaf Springs | Leaf Springs |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 16" Steel Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 16" Steel Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger | Driver and Passenger |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seat Belts | 2 Three-point | 2 Three-point |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Reflector | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | Normal Bulb |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable, Driver's Seat Height Adjustable | Manual Adjustable, Driver's Seat Height Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | Tilt-up Base | — |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Manual Air-con |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front |
| Audio | Radio with Bluetooth, USB and Two Speakers | Radio with Bluetooth, USB and Two Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Driver Side One Touch Up and Down | Driver Side One Touch Up and Down |
| Engine Start | Manual Key Ignition | Manual Key Ignition |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | — |
| 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.
Used cars for sale
RG Facelift vs RG Facelift 2 FAQ
Is the Isuzu D-MAX RG Facelift or Isuzu D-MAX RG Facelift 2 better?
The Isuzu D-MAX RG Facelift 2 is better for output and driveline, with 161 hp, 400 Nm and all-wheel drive. The Isuzu D-MAX RG Facelift is the better passenger vehicle because it has four doors and five seats.
What is the price difference?
The Isuzu D-MAX RG Facelift 2 costs RM10,922 more than the Isuzu D-MAX RG Facelift.
Which Isuzu D-MAX has more passenger space?
The Isuzu D-MAX RG Facelift does. It has four doors and five seats, while the Isuzu D-MAX RG Facelift 2 has two doors and two seats.
