Verdict
At RM103,121, the Isuzu D-MAX costs RM12,521 more than the RM90,600 Toyota Vios. The D-MAX brings a 2.164-litre diesel with 161 hp and 400 Nm, six-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drive, but it is a two-seat, two-door pickup measuring 5,330 mm long. The Vios is the easier fit for five occupants, with four doors, a 475-litre boot, CVT, 5.2 L/100 km rated economy and RM90 annual road tax versus RM571. Its 104 hp and 138 Nm petrol engine is substantially less muscular, however.
Pick the Isuzu D-MAX if you need a two-seat pickup with 400 Nm of diesel torque, all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual.
Pick the Toyota Vios if you want a five-seat sedan with lower purchase price, RM90 road tax, a 475-litre boot and substantially fuller safety equipment.
Key differences
- Price: Isuzu D-MAX RM103,121; Toyota Vios RM90,600.
- Engine output: Isuzu D-MAX 2,164 cc diesel, 161 hp and 400 Nm; Toyota Vios 1,496 cc petrol, 104 hp and 138 Nm.
- Transmission and drive: Isuzu D-MAX six-speed manual and all-wheel drive; Toyota Vios CVT automatic and front-wheel drive.
- Size and seating: Isuzu D-MAX is 5,330 mm long with two doors and two seats; Toyota Vios is 4,425 mm long with four doors and five seats.
- Running costs: Isuzu D-MAX road tax is RM571 yearly and has a 76-litre tank; Toyota Vios road tax is RM90, rated at 5.2 L/100 km, with a 40-litre tank.
- Safety equipment: Isuzu D-MAX has two airbags; Toyota Vios has six airbags, pre-collision braking, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert.
D-MAX
- 161 hp and 400 Nm 2.164-litre diesel
- All-wheel drive with a six-speed manual
- 76-litre fuel tank and full-size spare tyre
- RM12,521 dearer and RM481 more in annual road tax
- Two doors and two seats, against the Vios' four doors and five seats
- Only two airbags; lacks the Vios' pre-collision braking, blind spot monitoring and reverse camera
Vios
- RM90,600 price and RM90 annual road tax
- Five seats, four doors and a 475-litre boot
- Six airbags, pre-collision braking and 3D panoramic-view reverse camera
- 104 hp and 138 Nm trail the D-MAX's 161 hp and 400 Nm
- Front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive
- 40-litre fuel tank is 36 litres smaller than the D-MAX's
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM103,121 | RM90,600✓ |
| Body type | Pickup | Sedan |
| Segment | Truck/4X4 | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| 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 Dual Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,164 cc | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | 161 hp✓ | 104 hp |
| Torque | 400 Nm✓ | 138 Nm |
| Fuel | Diesel | Petrol |
| Bore | 80 mm | 72.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 16.5 | 11.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Manual | CVT with 7-speed Sequential Shiftmatic |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Akashi Kikai |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | — | 5.2 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | — | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,330 mm | 4,425 mm |
| Width | 1,810 mm | 1,740 mm |
| Height | 1,770 mm | 1,480 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,125 mm | 2,620 mm |
| Weight | 1,805 kg | 1,015 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 76 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 4 |
| Seats | 2 | 5 |
| Boot Space | — | 475 litres |
| Front Tyre | 205R16C | 195/60R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 205R16C | 195/60R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size | Full-size 16" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | — | Toyo Proxes CR1 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Leaf Springs | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 16" Steel Wheels | 16" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Steel Wheels | 16" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | — | 5 stars |
| 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 Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Front Departure Alert, Pedal Misoperation Control, Rear Cross Traffic Alert |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Reflector | LED Reflector |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable, Driver's Seat Height Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | — | Fixed Bench |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Single-zone Manual |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Radio with Bluetooth, USB and Two Speakers | 9" Touchscreen Display Audio with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Driver Side One Touch Up and Down | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Manual Key Ignition | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | — | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | — | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes, with 3D Panoramic View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger, Premium Solar and Security Tint, Front Digital Video Recorder |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| 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 D-MAX & Vios for sale
D-MAX vs Vios FAQ
Is the Isuzu D-MAX or Toyota Vios better?
The Vios is better for five-seat sedan use, lower costs and active safety equipment. Choose the D-MAX when its 400 Nm diesel engine, all-wheel drive and pickup body are the priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Isuzu D-MAX costs RM103,121 and the Toyota Vios costs RM90,600, so the D-MAX is RM12,521 more expensive.
Which has the better safety equipment?
The Toyota Vios has the fuller safety kit: six airbags, pre-collision braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and lane-keeping steering correction. The D-MAX has two airbags, ABS/EBD and stability control.