The current Isuzu D-Max was introduced to our market back in 2021, and it was met with a favorable reception. There was also a minor refresh back in April of this year to keep things fresh.

But the landscape of the pickup segment has changed drastically in the past two years with entries like the Ford Ranger, the Mitsubishi Triton, and even the D-Max’s Hiroshima-based cousin, the Mazda BT-50, stealing the spotlight with better tech, looks, and equipment.

This made the timing ripe for Isuzu to introduce a much-needed update for its beloved pickup truck, which was just unveiled yesterday in Thailand.

It seems like the letter L is in vogue now when it comes to revising lights, as the bi-LED headlights and taillights get new L-shaped light signatures.

A new grille is supposed to aid with aerodynamics thanks to air curtains on both sides of the bumpers, alongside a slightly enlarged rear spoiler. And at least on the V-Cross 4×4 trim, there are new matte-black 18-inch wheels.

The interior design is mostly the same, save for the new seven-inch digital instrument cluster and nine-inch infotainment display. It gains a USB-C port, and both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are wireless.

The seats now have a heat-rejection coating called CoolMax, and the driver’s seat also gains eight-way power adjustment. Also, the door cards and the seats now incorporate a Miura fold pattern to spice things up a little.

It is still powered by the reliable 3.0-liter turbodiesel (4JJ3-TCX) with 190hp and 450Nm. Transmission choices include a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic, alongside a four-wheel drive system with an electronic rear differential to aid off-road performance.

However, the advanced driver-assistance system has been updated with a new stereo camera improving pedestrian detection at intersections. Rear cross-traffic alert and braking are added. And the adaptive cruise control now works at low speeds, and can also be found in manual transmission-equipped models.

Do you think this update is enough to sway buyers away from the competition?