Verdict
These are radically different tools. The Isuzu D-MAX costs RM103,121 and brings 161 hp, 400 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 76-litre diesel tank, so it is the choice for load-carrying work and rougher access. The MG 5 is RM9,321 cheaper, carries five rather than two and has a 401-litre boot. Its 112 hp and 150 Nm petrol engine is far less forceful, but the CVT, 11.5-second 0-100 km/h time, six airbags and autonomous braking make it the more sensible daily passenger car. Annual road tax is RM571 versus RM90.
Pick the Isuzu D-MAX if you need 400 Nm, all-wheel drive, a full-size spare tyre and a two-seat pickup bed for work.
Pick the MG 5 if you need five seats, a 401-litre boot, CVT automatic driving and far more active safety equipment for less money.
Key differences
- Price: Isuzu D-MAX RM103,121; MG 5 RM93,800.
- Output: Isuzu D-MAX 161 hp and 400 Nm; MG 5 112 hp and 150 Nm.
- Driveline: Isuzu D-MAX all-wheel drive; MG 5 front-wheel drive.
- Seating: Isuzu D-MAX 2 seats; MG 5 5 seats.
- Fuel tank: Isuzu D-MAX 76 litres; MG 5 45 litres.
- Annual road tax: Isuzu D-MAX RM571; MG 5 RM90.
D-MAX
- 161 hp and 400 Nm diesel engine.
- All-wheel drive and a full-size spare tyre.
- 76-litre fuel tank.
- Only two seats, against the MG 5's five.
- RM9,321 dearer and RM481 more in annual road tax.
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring or reverse camera.
5
- Five seats and a 401-litre boot.
- Six airbags, autonomous braking and blind-spot information system.
- CVT automatic, 360-degree camera and 10.25-inch touchscreen.
- 112 hp and 150 Nm trail the D-MAX by 49 hp and 250 Nm.
- Front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive.
- 45-litre tank and space-saver spare tyre versus 76 litres and a full-size spare.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM103,121 | RM93,800✓ |
| Body type | Pickup | Sedan |
| Segment | Truck/4X4 | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM571 | RM90✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Variable Geometry Turbocharger and Common-Rail Direct Injection | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,164 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 161 hp✓ | 112 hp |
| Torque | 400 Nm✓ | 150 Nm |
| Fuel | Diesel | Petrol |
| Bore | 80 mm | 75 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 16.5 | 11.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Manual | iCVT |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 11.5 seconds |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,330 mm | 4,675 mm |
| Width | 1,810 mm | 1,842 mm |
| Height | 1,770 mm | 1,480 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,125 mm | 2,680 mm |
| Weight | 1,805 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 76 litres | 45 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 4 |
| Seats | 2 | 5 |
| Boot Space | — | 401 litres |
| Front Tyre | 205R16C | 215/50R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 205R16C | 215/55R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Maxxis Primetra S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (CBU) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Leaf Springs | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 16" Steel Wheels | 17" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Steel Wheels | 17" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual For Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 2 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available On Outer Two Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Reflector | LED Projector |
| 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 | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Front Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | — | One-piece Folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC vent |
| Sunroof | — | Yes |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 3 USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | Radio with Bluetooth, USB and Two Speakers | 10.25" Touchscreen with Wired Apple CarPlay & Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Driver Side One Touch Up and Down | Four Windows, 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 |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | — | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 3 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 7 Years/Unlimited Mileage Warranty on Powertrain |
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 & 5 for sale
D-MAX vs 5 FAQ
Is the Isuzu D-MAX or MG 5 better?
The MG 5 is better for carrying people, daily automatic driving and safety equipment. The D-MAX is better if your priority is 400 Nm diesel pulling force, all-wheel drive and pickup utility.
What is the price difference?
The Isuzu D-MAX costs RM9,321 more than the MG 5. Its annual road tax is also RM481 higher, at RM571 against RM90.
Which has more safety equipment?
The MG 5 has the stronger safety list: six airbags, autonomous braking, collision warning, blind-spot information and a 360-degree camera. The D-MAX has driver and passenger airbags, ABS/EBD and stability control, but no autonomous braking.