Isuzu D-Max EV: Is electric a viable replacement for displacement?
We get behind the wheel of the D-Max EV at Isuzu’s Hokkaido Proving Grounds
Isuzu and diesel go hand-in-hand. It’s like having fried chicken with gravy (or banana ketchup) or, in this case, pairing tonkatsu with curry over a hot bed of rice.
In the same light , Isuzu has always been known for having reliable and durable vehicles powered by equally reliable and durable turbodiesel engines. Whether it’s for hauling goods, pulling trailers, delivering fuel, or moving your catering business, Isuzu’s reputation precedes itself. There are many good reasons why Isuzu continues to be the number one truck brand in the Philippines for 25 years.
The times they are a-changin’ though, and Isuzu is in the thick of it. In fact, when we visited the Isuzu booth at this year’s Japan Mobility Show, Isuzu had plenty of electrified vehicles on display, including an Elf EV Truck and an autonomous version of its Erga EV low-floor passenger bus. While they were all nice to look at, we actually got to drive an EV days before the biennial auto show at the Isuzu Hokkaido Proving Grounds.
That vehicle is the all-electric D-Max EV. Yes, you read those words correctly, this pickup truck doesn’t have the 4JJ3-TCX or the RZ4E turbo-diesel engines under the hood. Instead, it has a pair of electric motors that deliver AWD capability, a lithium-ion battery pack, and silent acceleration. With just one chance to get behind the wheel of the D-Max EV, I waited with eagerness to try it out. But before I could climb inside, I was surprised by how the D-Max EV looked, well, familiar.
Same Macho Looks
Isuzu didn’t try to make any drastic changes for the electric D-Max. And why would they? Since the pickup truck already looks good as it is, they decided to keep its macho appearance for the EV version. From the aggressive LED headlights to the assertive stance, as well as the alloy wheels and side steps, everything was carried over.
The few telltale signs that it’s the D-Max EV are the blue accents on the grille and the EV badges on the front fenders and the tailgate. Remove those, and anyone on the street will think you’re driving a regular D-Max. But instead of hearing the distinct clatter of a turbo-diesel engine, all you will hear is a quiet hum of the electric motors as you accelerate.
Quiet Strength
After taking pictures and getting to admire the D-Max EV from afar, it was now my turn to get behind the wheel of this electric workhorse. From the moment I stepped inside, adjusted my seating position, and tweaked the mirrors, everything felt familiar. From the leather steering wheel to the tactile buttons and stalks, nothing was out of the ordinary.
What caught me by surprise is the lack of engine noise, which is something I always expect from a pickup truck. I even had to ask the Japanese engineer who was with me inside the D-Max EV if the pickup was turned on, to which the gentleman nodded. With no vibration coming from under the hood, it was quite unnerving the first time I got inside the D-Max EV.
After getting my bearings, I gently put my foot on the accelerator and felt immediate torque from the electric motors. Despite only having a combined system output of 177 PS and 325 Nm of torque, the D-Max EV never felt sluggish. Since it uses a gear reduction system instead of a traditional transmission, torque comes in instantaneously with no delay. Bury your foot, and the electric motors respond with glee to your request for more torque.
Granted, I only did that once out of respect for the engineer, since the vehicle we were driving appeared to be a prototype. However, the gentleman did say I can go faster, but only up to 100 km/h on the straights and up to 80 km/h on the banked roads. Speaking of banked roads, the D-Max EV handled itself well on steeply angled tarmac. Sure, we weren’t testing it on a technical course, but the suspension remained composed and the steering felt secure. And since there was no engine under the hood, the front suspension felt lighter.
Range, Recharging, and Payload
With a 66.9 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, you would expect the D-Max EV to easily break 400 km without a sweat. Unfortunately, it only has a maximum range of up to 263 km based on the WLTC cycle. Yes, many were quick to notice its so-so range, but you have to remember that the D-Max EV is a frame-based pickup truck, not a unibody crossover SUV. If you want to be more specific, it has a curb weight of 2,350 kg, making it quite the hefty pickup truck.
It does come with regenerative braking to help recharge the battery while on the go. They can be adjusted via the paddle shifters and come with four modes, with four being the most powerful. With my time in the D-Max EV, I set the regenerative braking to three, to give the vehicle some time to compose itself without the brakes being too powerful.
Recharging the D-Max EV can be done in two ways: an 11 kW AC charger that can fully recharge the pickup from 0% to 100% in 10 hours, and the faster 50 kW DC fast charger that can replenish the battery from 20% to 80% in just an hour. Not bad for a pickup with a 66.9 kWh battery pack in its chassis.
It may not have a stonking turbo-diesel under the hood, but that doesn’t mean it can’t deliver the goods. Since it still has a ladder frame chassis, the electric D-Max has a payload capacity of 1,000 kg and a towing capacity of 3.5 tons. In case you need to go through high waters, Isuzu says the D-Max EV has up to 600mm of water wading capability and 210mm of ground clearance.
Is going electric worth trading diesel power?
Despite only having a single go with the D-Max EV, I was thoroughly impressed with how it performed. Coming from a brand that specializes in turbo-diesel power, the zero-emissions D-Max had plenty of torque on tap and was quick on its feet. The lack of engine noise and vibration translated to a smooth and quiet driving experience, which can be quite unnerving for the uninitiated.
Overall, I can say that Isuzu has something special going on with the D-Max EV. Not only did they prove that they can make an electric workhorse, but they also showed that despite not having diesel power, the D-Max EV can still haul plenty of cargo with ease. And despite only producing 325 Nm of torque versus the 4JJ3-TCX’s 450 Nm, the electric motors deliver the power instantaneously with no delay.
Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) has already confirmed that the D-Max EV will arrive, although no definite timeline was given. But with only up to 263 km of range, some are questioning whether the D-Max EV can go the distance. That’s because with 76 liters of diesel, the regular D-Max has a theoretical range of up to 1,000 km, give or take.
Heck, back in 2024, Isuzu did an eco run from Phitsanulok, Thailand, to Klang, Malaysia, and they were able to cover over 2,000 km on just one tank. Granted, there was some hypermiling involved, but the fact remains that the diesel-powered D-Max can go the distance.
What’s the advantage of the D-Max EV? Apart from being exempt from the number coding scheme and not producing tailpipe emissions, the electric pickup is immune to the constant fluctuation of fuel prices. Combined with the fact that the country’s EV charging network continues to grow, those who plan to get the D-Max EV can recharge via public chargers besides charging at home.
The Isuzu D-Max EV is an impressive workhorse, but I reckon it won’t be replacing the diesel-powered version any time soon. However, it’s a great alternative to have in case you want the capabilities of a pickup but don’t want the hassle of fueling it up or keeping up with engine/drivetrain maintenance in the coming years.
Isuzu didn’t have to reinvent the pickup to make the D-Max EV, but trading diesel power for electric propulsion will be on a case-to-case basis, especially for diehard fans of Isuzu’s midsize pickup truck.
