Verdict
For a Malaysian work-truck buyer, the RM60,411 D-MAX RT is the budget route, but its 78 hp, 176 Nm 2.5-litre diesel, five-speed manual and rear-wheel drive are a major step down. The RM103,121 D-MAX RG Facelift 2 costs RM42,710 more, yet brings 161 hp and 400 Nm from its 2.2-litre, a six-speed manual, all-wheel drive, airbags, ABS/EBD and stability control. Its five-year/150,000 km warranty also gives the newer-generation choice a clear practical edge. The RT only makes sense when purchase cost matters far more than performance and safety kit.
Pick the Isuzu D-MAX RT if you need the lowest upfront cost and can accept rear-wheel drive, 78 hp and no listed airbags or ABS/EBD.
Pick the Isuzu D-MAX RG Facelift 2 if you want 400 Nm, all-wheel drive and the essential safety equipment for the RM42,710 premium.
Key differences
- Price: RM60,411 vs RM103,121
- Power and torque: 78 hp/176 Nm vs 161 hp/400 Nm
- Transmission: five-speed manual vs six-speed manual
- Driveline: rear-wheel drive vs all-wheel drive
- Safety: no listed airbags, ABS/EBD or stability control vs dual airbags, ABS/EBD and stability control
- Warranty: three years/100,000 km vs five years/150,000 km
RT
- RM42,710 cheaper to buy
- 2.5-litre diesel engine
- Slightly wider body: 1,860 mm versus 1,810 mm
- Much lower output: 78 hp and 176 Nm versus 161 hp and 400 Nm
- Rear-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive
- No listed airbags, ABS/EBD, stability control or hill start assist
RG Facelift 2
- 161 hp and 400 Nm from the 2.2-litre turbodiesel
- All-wheel drive and six-speed manual
- Dual airbags, ABS/EBD, stability control and five-year/150,000 km warranty
- RM42,710 more expensive
- Narrower body: 1,810 mm versus 1,860 mm
- Road tax is RM571 per year versus RM839 per year for the RT
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM60,411✓ | RM103,121 |
| Body type | Pickup | Pickup |
| Segment | Truck/4X4 | Truck/4X4 |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM839 | RM571✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC turbodiesel | 16-valve DOHC with Variable Geometry Turbocharger and Common-Rail Direct Injection |
| Capacity | 2,499 cc | 2,164 cc |
| Horsepower | 78 hp | 161 hp✓ |
| Torque | 176 Nm | 400 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Diesel | Diesel |
| Bore | 93 mm | 80 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 18.5 | 16.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 5 M/T | 6-speed Manual |
| Gears | 5 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Eaton | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,215 mm | 5,330 mm |
| Width | 1,860 mm | 1,810 mm |
| Height | 1,780 mm | 1,770 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,095 mm | 3,125 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,805 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 76 litres | 76 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Seats | 2 | 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" Steel | 16" Steel Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Steel | 16" Steel Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | — | Driver and Passenger |
| ABS/EBD | — | ✓ |
| Stability Control | — | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seat Belts | 2 Three-point | 2 Three-point |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Reflectors | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | Normal Bulb |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable, Driver's Seat Height Adjustable |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Manual Air-con |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 3 Front | 2 Front |
| Audio | Not Specified | Radio with Bluetooth, USB and Two Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows | 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 | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | — | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 150,000 km✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 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.
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RT vs RG Facelift 2 FAQ
Is the Isuzu D-MAX RT or Isuzu D-MAX RG Facelift 2 better?
The D-MAX RG Facelift 2 is decisively better on performance, traction, safety equipment and warranty. It has 161 hp, 400 Nm, all-wheel drive, dual airbags, ABS/EBD and stability control; the RT has 78 hp, 176 Nm and rear-wheel drive.
What is the price difference?
The D-MAX RG Facelift 2 costs RM42,710 more than the D-MAX RT. That gap brings 83 hp more power, 224 Nm more torque, all-wheel drive, a six-speed manual and substantially more safety equipment.
Which D-MAX has the lower annual road tax?
The D-MAX RG Facelift 2 has the lower annual road tax at RM571, compared with RM839 for the D-MAX RT. Its 2,164 cc engine is smaller than the RT's 2,499 cc unit.