Isuzu upgrades D-Max and MU-X with new 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine
Isuzu introduces new 2.2-litre turbodiesel on select D-Max and MU-X model ranges.
The old automotive adage that there’s no substitute for cubic capacity appears to ring true at Isuzu Ute Australia (IUA) which is set to replace its entry-level 1.9-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine with a new 2.2-litre unit for both the D-Max Ute and MU-X seven-seat SUV ranges.
Due in showrooms in October as an MY 25.5 update, the new 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine joins the four-cylinder 3.0-litre unit in Isuzu’s local engine line-up, replacing the previous 1.9-litre engine which has now been discontinued.
The new engine, codenamed RZ4F-TC, is EURO5 emissions compliant and develops a more robust 120kW/400Nm versus the outgoing 1.9-litre unit’s 110kW/350Nm, with combined cycle fuel consumption from 6.3L/100km.
Buyers wanting to match the new engine with a manual transmission will be disappointed, however, as it is available exclusively with a new eight-speed automatic transmission.
The updated drivetrain is also not available across the entire D-Max and MU-X model range but will instead be offered on SX and X-Rider variants of the D-Max, and in LS-M, LS-U and LS-T variants of the MU-X.
The new Isuzu 2.2-litre engine.
The updated engine arrives alongside a new colour option, Wolfram Grey Metallic, available in the D-Max X-Rider specification and higher.
Isuzu’s established four-cylinder 3.0-litre 4JJ3-TCX (140kW/450Nm) remains king of the hill in the D-MAX and MU-X lineups and will likely continue to be the preferred choice of caravanners and others who tow, but the adoption of the new engine means all variants of the ute and wagon now have a 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity, where the previous 1.9-litre unit was limited to 3,000kg.
The 2.2-litre RZ4F should make a decent fist of towing, too, generating a healthy 255Nm from just 1,000rpm, with its peak 400Nm available between 1,600 and 2,400rpm. The engine’s peak power of 120kW power is achieved at 3600rpm.
By comparison, the 2.0-litre bi-turbodiesel engine in the rival Ford Ranger produces 154kW at 3750rpm and 500Nm between 1750 and 2000rpm. The Ford engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
All 2.2-litre variants retain a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating, with standard safety kit including eight airbags, plus Isuzu's Intelligent Driver Assistance System (IDAS).
The latter includes:
- Autonomous Emergency Braking with turn assist (AEB)
- Forward Collision Warning
- Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go
- Traffic Sign Recognition
- Lane Departure Warning
- Lane Departure Prevention
- Lane Keep Assist
- Emergency Lane Keep Assist
- Blind-Spot Monitoring
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
- Rear Cross-Traffic Brake
- Welcome Headlight
- Trailer Sway Control.
An Isuzu D-Max in Wolfram Grey Metallic.
Pricing for the new 2.2-litre powered D-MAX line-up starts at $36,200 for the SX 2.2L 4x2 single cab, rising to $59,500 for the X-Rider 4x4. The MU-X 2.2-litre range starts at $49,900 for the LS-M 2.2L 4x4, rising to $71,400 for the LS-T 2.2L 4x4.
The full pricing table is listed below but a select range of the new models will be offered with special launch driveaway pricing.
These include:
- 2.2L D-MAX 4x2 SX Auto Single Cab Chassis with Eco Alloy Tray from $36,990
- 2.2L D-MAX 4x4 X-RIDER Auto Crew from $56,990
- 2.2L MU-X 4x2 LS-M Auto from $48,990; and the 2.2L MU-X 4x4 LS-T Auto from $69,990 driveaway.
Isuzu D-Max price guide
(RRP before on-road costs, new models in bold)
| 4x2 Single Cab Chassis SX 2.2L AT | $36,200 |
| 4x2 Single Cab Chassis SX 3.0L AT | $38,200 |
| 4x2 Space Cab Chassis SX 3.0L AT | $41,700 |
| 4x2 Crew Cab Chassis SX 2.2L AT | $42,700 |
| 4x2 Crew Cab Chassis SX 3.0L AT | $44,700 |
| 4x2 Crew Ute SX 2.2L AT | $44,200 |
| 4x2 Crew Ute SX 3.0L AT | $46,200 |
| 4x2 Crew Ute LS-U 3.0L AT | $57,000 |
| 4x4 Single Cab Chassis SX 3.0L AT | $46,200 |
| 4x4 Space Cab Chassis SX 3.0L AT | $49,700 |
| 4x4 Crew Cab Chassis SX 2.2L AT | $50,700 |
| 4x4 Crew Cab Chassis SX 3.0L AT | $52,700 |
| 4x4 Crew Cab Chassis SX 3.0L AT | $53,200 |
| 4x4 Crew Cab Chassis LS-U 3.0L AT | $63,500 |
| 4x4 Crew Ute SX 2.2L AT | $52,200 |
| 4x4 Crew UTE SX 3.0L AT | $54,200 |
| 4x4 Crew Ute LSM X-Rider 2.2L AT | $59,500 |
| 4x4 Crew Ute LSM X-Rider 3.0L AT | $61,500 |
| 4x4 Crew Ute LS-U 3.0L AT | $65,000 |
| 4x4 Crew Ute LS-U+ 3.0L AT | $68,000 |
| 4x4 Crew Ute X-Terrain 3.0L AT | $73,000 |
| 4x4 Crew Ute Blade 3.0L AT | $80,900 |
Isuzu MU-X price Guide
(RRP before on-road costs, new models in bold)
| 4x2 LS-M 2.2L AT | $49,900 |
| 4x4 LS-M 2.2L AT | $55,900 |
| 4x4 LS-M 3.0L AT | $57,900 |
| 4x4 LS-U 2.2L AT | $62,900 |
| 4x4 LS-U3.0L AT | $64,900 |
| 4x4 LS-T 2.2L AT | $71,400 |
| 4x4 LS-T 3.0L AT | $73,400 |
| 4x4 X-Terrain 3.0L AT | $77,100 |
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