Isuzu D-MAX vs Nissan Navara
Verdict
The Isuzu D-MAX is the cheaper, more passenger-friendly buy here: RM92,199 gets five seats, a 1.9-litre diesel with 148 hp/350 Nm, rear-wheel drive and RM399 annual road tax. The Nissan Navara asks RM98,600 and gives you the stronger 2.5-litre diesel at 161 hp/403 Nm, all-wheel drive, a slightly longer wheelbase and 80-litre tank, but only two seats and RM830 road tax. Both are manual diesel pick-ups with two airbags, no AEB and a 5-year warranty, so the choice is use case, not badge theatre.
Pick the Isuzu D-MAX if you need five seats, lower buying cost and much lower annual road tax.
Pick the Nissan Navara if you want more output, all-wheel drive and the larger 80-litre fuel tank, and can live with two seats.
Key differences
- Price: Isuzu D-MAX RM92,199; Nissan Navara RM98,600
- Engine output: Isuzu D-MAX 148 hp/350 Nm; Nissan Navara 161 hp/403 Nm
- Driven wheels: Isuzu D-MAX rear-wheel drive; Nissan Navara all-wheel drive
- Seats: Isuzu D-MAX 5; Nissan Navara 2
- Fuel tank: Isuzu D-MAX 76 L; Nissan Navara 80 L
- Road tax: Isuzu D-MAX RM399/year; Nissan Navara RM830/year
D-MAX
- RM6,401 cheaper to buy
- Five-seat cabin
- Lower RM399 annual road tax
- Less power and torque
- Rear-wheel drive only
- Smaller 76-litre fuel tank
Navara
- Stronger 161 hp/403 Nm diesel
- All-wheel drive
- Longer 3,150 mm wheelbase
- Costs RM6,401 more
- Only two seats
- RM830 annual road tax
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 92,199✓ | RM 98,600 |
| Body type | Pickup | Pickup |
| Segment | Truck/4X4 | Truck/4X4 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Variable Geometry Turbocharger and Common-Rail Direct Injection | 16-valve DOHC, Common-rail direct injection, Variable Geometry Turbo |
| Capacity | 1,898 cc | 2,488 cc |
| Horsepower | 148 hp | 161 hp✓ |
| Torque | 350 Nm | 403 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Diesel | Diesel |
| Bore | 80 mm | 89 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 16.5 | 15 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Manual | 6MT |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Nissan |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,330 mm | 5,335 mm |
| Width | 1,810 mm | 1,790 mm |
| Height | 1,770 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,125 mm | 3,150 mm |
| Weight | 1,805 kg | 1,828 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 76 litres | 80 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 | Bridgestone Dueler HT |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (CBU) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Chassis | Ladder-frame | Ladder Frame |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Leaf Springs | Leaf Spring |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 16" Steel |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 16" Steel |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Drums | Drum |
| 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 | Front Seats Only |
| 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 |
| Rear Seats | Tilt-up Base | — |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Single-Zone Manual |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 1 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front |
| Audio | Radio with Bluetooth, USB and Two Speakers | AM/FM Tuner, CD-Player, MP3, Bluetooth, AUX Input with 2 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Driver Side One Touch Up and Down | Two Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Manual Key Ignition | Manual Key |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Steering Audio Control | — | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | — |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | — | Multi-info Display |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 399✓ | RM 830 |
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.
D-MAX vs Navara FAQ
Is the Isuzu D-MAX or Nissan Navara better?
The Isuzu D-MAX is better for most private buyers here because it has five seats, costs less and has lower road tax. The Nissan Navara suits buyers who prioritise 161 hp/403 Nm and all-wheel drive over cabin seating.
What is the price difference?
The Nissan Navara costs RM98,600, while the Isuzu D-MAX costs RM92,199. That makes the Navara RM6,401 more expensive before considering the higher RM830 annual road tax versus RM399 for the D-MAX.
Which has the stronger diesel engine?
The Nissan Navara is stronger on paper, with a 2,488 cc diesel making 161 hp and 403 Nm. The Isuzu D-MAX uses a 1,898 cc diesel with 148 hp and 350 Nm.