Verdict
At RM79,400 against RM103,121, the five-seat Isuzu D-MAX RT Facelift 2 is the more sensible Malaysian buy for carrying people as well as cargo, and its annual road tax is RM399 rather than RM571. The Isuzu D-MAX RG Facelift 2 answers with all-wheel drive and a 2.164-litre diesel producing 161 hp and 400 Nm, versus the RT’s rear-wheel drive, 148 hp and 350 Nm. But the RG is a two-door, two-seat pickup. Unless all-wheel-drive traction and the extra 50 Nm are central to the job, take the RT.
Pick the Isuzu D-MAX RT Facelift 2 if you need five seats and four doors while spending RM23,721 less.
Pick the Isuzu D-MAX RG Facelift 2 if all-wheel drive and 400 Nm matter more than rear-seat accommodation and purchase cost.
Key differences
- Price: Isuzu D-MAX RT Facelift 2 RM79,400; Isuzu D-MAX RG Facelift 2 RM103,121.
- Engine output: RT 1,898 cc, 148 hp and 350 Nm; RG 2,164 cc, 161 hp and 400 Nm.
- Driveline: RT rear-wheel drive; RG all-wheel drive.
- Cabin capacity: RT has four doors and five seats; RG has two doors and two seats.
- Annual road tax: RT RM399; RG RM571.
- Wheels and tyres: RT 15-inch alloy wheels with 195R15C tyres; RG 16-inch steel wheels with 205R16C tyres.
RT Facelift 2
- Five seats and four doors
- RM23,721 lower purchase price
- 15-inch alloy wheels and ISOFIX on two rear outer seats
- Rear-wheel drive versus the RG’s all-wheel drive
- 148 hp and 350 Nm trail the RG’s 161 hp and 400 Nm
- No Bluetooth or steering reach adjustment
RG Facelift 2
- All-wheel drive
- 161 hp and 400 Nm diesel
- Bluetooth, front foglamps and telescopic steering adjustment
- RM23,721 more expensive
- Only two doors and two seats
- 16-inch steel wheels versus the RT’s 15-inch alloys
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM79,400✓ | RM103,121 |
| Body type | Pickup | Pickup |
| Segment | Truck/4X4 | Truck/4X4 |
| Assembly | CKD | 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 at 3,600 rpm | 161 hp at 3,600 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 350 Nm at 1,800 rpm | 400 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Diesel | Diesel |
| Bore × Stroke | 80 mm × 94.4 mm | 80 mm × 94.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Manual | 6-speed Manual |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 13.9 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | 8 L/100 km | — |
| 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 | 195R15C | 205R16C |
| Rear Tyre | 195R15C | 205R16C |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size | Full Size |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Leaf Springs | Leaf Springs |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloy | 16" Steel Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 15" 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 | 2 (Driver and Passenger) | 2 (Driver and Passenger) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| 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 |
| Safety Notes | Hill Descent Control | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Reflector | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | Normal Bulb |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable, Driver's Seat Height Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | Tilt-up Base | — |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Manual Air-con |
| Power Sockets | 2 Front, 1 Front USB | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 4 Front | 2 Front |
| Audio | 1-DIN Radio/CD Player with 4 Speakers | Radio with Bluetooth, USB and Two Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Down | Driver Side One Touch Up and Down |
| Engine Start | Manual Key | Manual Key Ignition |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| 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.
Used cars for sale
RT Facelift 2 vs RG Facelift 2 FAQ
Is the Isuzu D-MAX RT Facelift 2 or Isuzu D-MAX RG Facelift 2 better?
The RT is better for most buyers because it carries five people through four doors at a far lower price. Choose the RG only if its all-wheel drive and extra 50 Nm are more important than passenger capacity.
What is the price difference?
The Isuzu D-MAX RG Facelift 2 costs RM23,721 more than the Isuzu D-MAX RT Facelift 2: RM103,121 versus RM79,400.
Which D-MAX has more power and traction?
The RG has the stronger diesel, with 161 hp and 400 Nm from 2,164 cc, and it has all-wheel drive. The RT makes 148 hp and 350 Nm from 1,898 cc and drives its rear wheels.
