The popular Isuzu D-Max ute and its MU-X SUV sibling have traded up to new 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine with stronger outputs and less thirst than the base 1.9-litre mill it replaces. As previously reported, the familiar and much-loved 3.0-litre engine has been retained, albeit at a cost.
The local introduction of the new 2.2-litre ‘RZ4F-TC’ engine – a substantial evolution of the 1.9L ‘RZ4E-TC’ – has imposed a $1500 price increase for all affected variants across the ‘MY25.5’ D-Max and MU-X portfolios.
It means the 2025 Isuzu D-Max range now opens from $36,200 plus on-road costs and the 2025 Isuzu MU-X from $49,900, but the addition of the new engine hasn’t impacted the models’ standard equipment lists or designs in any way.
The lauded 3.0-litre ‘4JJ3-TCX’ engine continues on with price rises of up to $2700 despite being almost entirely unchanged. The flagship D-Max Blade is a special case however; on offer until now at $77,990 drive-away, it will be priced from October at $78,990 drive-away.
The new 2.2-litre engine makes 120kW@3600rpm and 400Nm between 1600-2400rpm whereas the old 1.9 offered 110kW@3600rpm and 350Nm between 1800-2600rpm – the 3.0-litre continues with 140kW/450Nm.
As previously reported, the new 2.2 has a bigger bore, longer stroke, redesigned block and head, and is fitted with a larger, electronically-controlled turbocharger.
The new engine also means all D-Max and MU-X variants now have a full 3500kg braked towing capacity, up from the 1.9’s 3000kg. Gross combined mass (GCM) ratings have also climbed.
The 2.2 is mated to a new eight-speed Aisin automatic transmission while the 3.0-litre continues with the existing six-speed for “compatibility” reasons.
The new power unit also comes with a stop-start function that’s been added to the 3.0-litre to save fuel and reduce emissions; crucial to complying with Australia’s new NVES CO2 reduction scheme.
The amount of savings varies across the two line-ups. Official ADR figures released by Isuzu Ute Australia claim a combined 6.6L/100km and 174g CO2/km for the 2.2 in a 4x4 D-Max SX Crew Cab ute, compared to 6.9L/100km and 180g CO2/km for the equivalent 1.9.
In the 2.2-litre MU-X LS-U 4x4, the gains are even more pronounced at 6.7L/100km and 177g CO2/km versus 7.4L/100km and 196g CO2/km.
Meanwhile, the 3.0-litre’s adoption of stop-start technology drops its combined figures from 8.0L/100km and 207g/km to 7.1L and 187g respectively for the D-Max, and from 8.3/220 to 7.6/200 in the MU-X.
Significantly – and as reported first by carsales back in February – the 4x2 MU-X line-up has been almost entirely culled because of NVES; only the base LS-M grade is still offered as a 4x2 as well as a 4x4.
As a result, and due to the fact the LS-T is now offered with a downsized engine as well as the 3.0-litre, the total number of MU-X variants drops from 10 to eight.
The MY25.5 D-Max range meantime has dropped from 25 variants to 22 because of the changeover from 1.9 to 2.2 and the deletion of all manual transmissions. The 3.0-litre LS-U Space Cab end all LS-M versions have also been dropped.
There are six 2.2-litre D-Max models comprising three 4x2s (SX Single Cab Chassis, SX Crew Cab Chassis, SX Crew Cab Ute) and three 4x4s (SX Crew Cab Ute, SX Crew Cab Chassis, X-Rider Crew Cab Ute.
The MY25.5 D-Max and MU-X will be on-sale from October 1.
Sales of both models are down in 2025, although they remain in the upper echelons of their segments and Isuzu is still a top 10 seller, despite Chinese pressure.
The old 1.9 claimed about 10 per cent of D-Max and MU-X sales and the expectation is the 2.2 will claim a bigger share.
How much does the Isuzu D-Max cost?
4x2
SX Single Cab Chassis 2.2L – $36,200 (+$1500)
SX Single Cab Chassis 3.0L – $38,200 (+$1500)
SX Space Cab Chassis 3.0L – $41,700 (+$1500)
SX Crew Cab Chassis 2.2L – $42,700 (+$1500)
SX Crew Cab Chassis 3.0L – $44,700 (+$1500)
SX Crew Cab Ute 2.2L – $44,200 (+$1500)
SX Crew Cab Ute 3.0L – $46,200 (+$1500)
LS-U Crew Cab Ute 3.0L – $57,000 (+$2500)
4x4
SX Single Cab Chassis 3.0L – $46,200 (+$1500)
SX Space Cab Chassis 3.0L – $49,700 (+$1500)
SX Crew Cab Chassis 2.2L – $50,700 New
SX Crew Cab Ute 2.2L – $52,200 (+$1500)
SX Crew Cab Chassis 3.0L – $52,700 (+$1500)
SX Crew Cab Chassis 3.0L – $53,200 (+$2000)
SX Crew Cab Ute 3.0L – $54,200 (+$1500)
X-Rider Crew Cab Ute 2.2L – $59,500 (New)
X-Rider Crew Cab Ute 3.0L – $61,500 (+$2000)
LS-U Crew Cab Chassis 3.0L – $63,500 (+$2500)
LS-U Crew Cab Ute 3.0L – $65,000 ($2500)
LS-U+ Crew Cab Ute 3.0L – $68,000 (+$2500)
X-Terrain Crew Cab Ute 3.0L – $73,000 (+$2500)
Blade Crew Cab Ute 3.0L – $78,990 drive-away (+$1000)
* Prices exclude on-road costs unless otherwise indicated
How much does the Isuzu MU-X cost?
LS-M 2.2L 4x2 – $49,900 (+$1500)
LS-M 2.2L 4x4 – $55,900 (+$1500)
LS-M 3.0L 4x4 – $57,900 (+$1500)
LS-U 2.2L 4x4 – $62,900 (+$1500)
LS-U 3.0L 4x4 – $64,900 (+$1500)
LS-T 2.2L 4x4 – $71,400 (New)
LS-T 3.0L 4x4 – $73,400 (+$2000)
X-Terrain 3.0L 4x4 – $77,100 (+$2700)
* Prices exclude on-road costs