2012 Isuzu D-Max Crew Cab 3.0L 5AT AWD (177 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Introduced in 2012 as a replacement for the 2002 Isuzu D-Max/Rodeo, the second generation of this nameplate continued the story of this Japanese pickup based on an American ladder frame.

While it shared its chassis with the Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Sonoma, the second generation of the Isuzu D-Max came with original styling and turbodiesel engines unavailable for the American market. Furthermore, it was the first Isuzu pickup that focused more on the interior than its predecessors, trying to attract customers who used these vehicles for leisure instead of work. However, that didn’t stop the Japanese brand from making it sturdy and capable of doing demanding jobs. After all, Isuzu was a well-known and respected manufacturer of utility vehicles and turbodiesel engines, and the D-Max was the fifth generation of pickup trucks made by the Japanese automaker.

While for the previous generation of this nameplate, the automaker focused on making it look taller, for the 2012 Isuzu D-Max, the design team focused on a sportier design that emphasized the vehicle’s width. As a result, it equipped the pickup with swept-back headlights with sharp angles and slightly curved lines. They flanked a plastic grille with horizontal and oblique slats where the chromed badge took center stage. The automaker offered it with the same shade as the rest of the body or with a chromed finish, depending on the grade. Lower, on the bumper, Isuzu added a second air intake flanked by the available fog lamps.

With its tall stance, the four-door 2012 Isuzu D-Max revealed its muscular-looking fenders with flared wheel arches on both axles. To further emphasize them, the automaker installed sculptured door panels. The cabin was separated by the bed behind it so the vibrations caused by the metallic box wouldn’t be transferred to the passenger area. A set of fixed running boards was available and useful for getting in and out of the vehicle, but the breakover ramp angle was reduced. At the back, the pickup featured a flat tailgate flanked by tall, narrow taillights mounted on the rear quarter panels. While the Crew Cab (four-door) version had the same overall length as its two-door sibling, the loading area was shorter. It provided a 1.5-meter (4.9-ft.) long and a similarly sized width between the rear wheelhouses.

Inside, the hard-plastic dashboard didn’t look like it would fit excellently for an SUV. However, its smooth lines and rounded corners gave the impression of a high-class vehicle, bar the luxury amenities. For base versions, the 2012 Isuzu D-Max Crew Cab came with a standard AC unit, stereo, power windows, and locks, plus many other feats that were usually on the options list for many utility vehicles in this segment. At the front, the bucket seats provided adequate side support and were wrapped in cloth upholstery with available leather and heating. Fronting the driver was the rounded-shaped instrument cluster featuring large dials for the speedometer and tachometer that flanked a 4.2-inch LCD for the vehicle’s onboard computer. In the back, the split-lift bench seat could accommodate up to three passengers with plenty of headroom and adequate legroom.

Under the hood, the 2012 D-Max was available with a choice of two turbodiesel engines paired with a six-speed manual gearbox. Vehicles fitted with the shift-on-the-fly 4WD drivetrain were also fitted with a two-speed transfer box that sent the power in all corners. Like its predecessors, the pickup relied on a body-on-frame construction with a ladder frame underneath that featured front independent suspensions and a rear five-link axle.