2024 Isuzu D-Max SX 1.9 (manual) review: 0-100 & POV test drive

2024 Isuzu D-Max SX 1.9 (manual) review: 0-100 & POV test drive. For more info and specs, check out our full review here: drivingenthusi...
2024 Isuzu D-Max SX High Ride specifications:
110kW (150PS) / 350Nm, 1.9-litre turbo-diesel 4-cylinder
6-speed manual transmission with rear-wheel drive
Claimed 0-100km/h: N/A
Official average fuel consumption: 7.0L/100km
Kerb weight: 1600kg
Power-to-weight ratio: 68.75kW:1000kg
GCM/Payload/Braked towing capacity: 5300kg/1400kg/2800kg
Price: AU$32,700 (not including on-road costs, at time of upload)
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[@AD28197]

Wish you would test manual utes more often. Would be nice to see the difference in acceleration

[@0KiwiStyles0]

Would be nicer if he could drive

[@kellykonaka5535]

Brother!!! Thank You so Very Much! I've been trying to secure a fleet of work cars and have been worried about the reliability of the 1.9L. Also because it will be working. Does it have an aliminium or steel tail shaft. After weeks of searching and My very favourite channel decided to upload one. I honestly did not expect this as I thought you only did High End Models. Thank You!

[@drivingenthusiastaustralia]

No worries, thank you. Great timing!

[@WilliamBlinky]

I was once a manual gearbox guy. Then someone lent me a Pajero Auto to try and that was it for me. Even though I now live in the countryside, personally I see zero advantages for the manual. My logis=c is 'if autos are the go in the city then it seems logical that in the bush / countryside they'd be even more applicable'. Another plus for the auto is that it allows me to better concentrate on the road, what I'm doing, what other drivers are up to, and just make better decisions.

[@masterq2.033]

Same here. Never wanted an auto but since my Amarok 2021 with 8sp Zf I won't go back by choice.

[@RodneyW]

I'm still a manual gearbox guy, and I see quite a few advantages of manuals over auto's: 1) they force the driver to pay attention to what they are doing. This is especially useful for new drivers (I have two) in the age of gadget driven distractions. Even in the city, you can't slack off! There is some data to support this, with manual drivers having a lower accident rate than automatic drivers. 2) As an enthusiast, I like to have full control of the car. I select the gear I need for every corner under braking, giving me the power I need for the exit. An automatic transmission is essentially guessing what gear you will need... it can't see ahead to anticipate what is required. This means that it then has to adjust on the fly. 3) They are much simpler and require less maintenance. A manual transmission will typically outlast the car (maybe needing a clutch change on the way). An automatic is often the cause of the cars demise. 4) Driving a manual transmission car smoothly takes some skill (especially for down-shifts) and is much more satisfying.

[@WilliamBlinky]

@@RodneyW I see!!

[@mahcooharper9577]

@@WilliamBlinky I have both, but honestly I would never choose an auto unless it was purely for inner city driving. Driving a car with an auto becomes much more like operating an appliance than an engaging and enjoyable experience. That's fine for some people and some situations but as an enthusiast I just get so much more out of every trip when I'm driving a manual. You could hear it in Brett's voice too - he was getting genuine joy driving an underpowered poverty pack ute because it had a manual in it. Driving that vehicle with an auto would be a very mundane and soulless experience.

[@WilliamBlinky]

@@mahcooharper9577 I hear you & am pleased you enjoy your manual. I live on 100 acres in the bush, down a gravel road, across a creek, surrounded by forest, and that's Off-Road enough for me. These days I restrict my off roading to 4x4 tractor work on the property. Automatics serve me nicely pulling my camper, occasional beach driving, and of course as a daily drive. May you have many great adventures mate.

[@__PJ__]

Narellan Rd !! Nice to see you in my neck of the woods :)

[@tezza8717]

remember the days of the mazda b1600 great ute ,enough power for a tradie,these isuzu utes are great but grossley overprized

[@0KiwiStyles0]

Atleast you're simulating a drunk tradie with those shifts.

[@drivingenthusiastaustralia]

Yes lol

[@EnWorks]

We’ve got the 3L manual cab chassis. Pretty ordinary take-off, but plenty of poke between 2000 and 4000rpm. Bulletproof reliability. But the clatter really drains on me… I would’ve jumped at a petrol turbo.

[@doobiescoot554]

Almost bought the 1.9l but ended up going with the 3.0l. Hefty 7.5k price difference though. Main reason was for better overtaking. I think all these "efficient" smaller engines are too highly strung. The different gear ratios in 2nd and 3rd means lots more shifting too.

[@claysonwebster1622]

For long term use go with 3L

[@DabDabGoose]

it's a good economy car with extra practicality.

[@paulthompson1654]

1.9 ltr is a courier special or a workshop ute . 3.oltr has torque for towing or mid to heavy loads . Any load over 500kgs the 3.oltr is a better option . Resale will be far better .

[@drivingenthusiastaustralia]

Great points.

[@mahcooharper9577]

Is the 1.9 just a smaller 4J or is it a different motor entirely? Good solid ute anyway and it's great you can still get it in a manual.

[@axiemuna5602]

Its a rz4e which is a different motor

[@mahcooharper9577]

@axiemuna5602 thanks for that, I went back and looked and it didn't look like a 4J. What's the reliability of the RZ4E like?

[@Veekston312]

​@@mahcooharper9577got an Isuzu MU-X 1.9L MT 2021 model, doesnt have any issues so far. I just find the RZ4E a bit slow, but it's not that dramatically slow. Nothing a little retune will easily solve, most likely gonna squeeze out 50 more horses with a simple retune.

[@YZJB]

@@mahcooharper9577I think they’re ok, but they have some weird design choices like the timing chain is at the back of the engine which is painful if it ever needs to be replaced (engine-out)

[@mrx168]

Hold up a sec… so ur telling me that even this base spec diesel work Ute is over a second faster at traffic lights GP than the MG3 (11.27 vs 12.4) wtf? 😂

[@mahcooharper9577]

@@mrx168 Chy-na

[@angusnz7910]

Could napping at the lights playing with buttons were we ?😜

[@__PJ__]

I'm amazed he didn't get blasted by others... Narellan road is ruthless.....

[@gort3969]

Did you go from first straight to third gear on a few of these runs?

[@drivingenthusiastaustralia]

The very last run was 2nd gear start. But the rest were normal; 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc.

[@gort3969]

@drivingenthusiastaustralia I wonder if it would be quicker red lining first and then straight into third. But if the first gear is really short it may not have enough speed for third

[@فارسالتميمي-ع7غ]

The Hilux 2800 is better and more powerful, even the small 2400 engine is a little better than this, but the rear box is special for Isuzu, but for personal use, it is better than a regular box. The manual transmission is better than the automatic if it has six changes, but the automatic is good in crowded areas.

[@351tgv]

ah good ol South West technically Sydney buts its outskirts of Campbeltown / Woodbine. Nice solid fleet truck, good to see that Isuzu still cater to this end of the market. The 1.9L turbo with manual (eew manual*) will be fine for couriers and work maintenance work crews. * I get why manuals are still a thing but yeesh boring, sorry Bret, also remember, steel wheels bend alloys scuff.

[@drivingenthusiastaustralia]

@@351tgv No need to be sorry. I didn’t build this car - I just test them.

[@351tgv]

@@drivingenthusiastaustralia- In the sense that I am no fan of manual transmissions, as for your style of reviews, I notice that so called experts have taken your lead with the intros of there car videos which means you are doing the right thing.

[@SimpleCarsharingDriver]

Disagree that the 1.9 is as zippy as the 3.0. The torque difference is significant, especially noticeable during overtaking

[@drivingenthusiastaustralia]

@@SimpleCarsharingDriver Off the mark and during slow speed conditions is what I mean by zippy. Of course 100Nm is going to make a difference, especially in the top end and if carrying anything. PS. I have previously tested the SX manual 3.0TD and it did 0-60km/h in 4.90 seconds (unladen). This 1.9 just did it in 4.80 seconds. Same Vbox, same driver, same piece of tarmac. So yes, it seems the 1.9 is not just as zippy, it is zippier! Lol.

[@paulthompson1654]

Beaware the smaller engined utes that are used hard are always worn out

[@__PJ__]

We absolutely flogged a 2.4l petrol Holden Rodeo shop ute ( so Isuzu ) pov pack and put over 350k on it but it never broke... Just keep up the services.

[@paulthompson1654]

As the vid states the 1.9ltr is fine for everyday normal use .. That 1.9ltr would be hopeless if put to hard work/loads/towing . Always been that way ,always will be . Hard work wears out small motors .

[@paulthompson1654]

Thrashing . If your 2.4ltr petrol lasting longer than a year without work your not trying . The apprentices wore out baby utes and loan cars every year .Think about long jump over speed humps . Above the speed limit maybe . Maybe thats why trailling arms and g/box crossmembers fell out . After 2 years the motor was a smoker .

[@__PJ__]

@@paulthompson1654 What motor was it ? Ours was a Hire ute we flogged and was hired out and overloaded by randoms everyday... The 2.4L Petrol had a strong ticker to get 350k in 3 years and survive.. It was then traded in for new meat to destroy a few Hilux pov packs....

[@Veekston312]

​@@__PJ__i assume that was the 4JA1 engine no?

[@reubs91]

What? There is no substitute for powerrrr

[@russell3436]

I can run faster than this from 0-100

[@vvevvevvvv]

Show us, please

[@russell3436]

@ I’ll contact Brett and ask him to do a video