260-km road trip: Driving Isuzu’s new D-MAX from Iloilo to Caticlan

Boracay, Aklan, Philippines -—They say that when it comes to road trips, getting there is half the fun. That would apply if said trip is made with family or friends—people you’d want to spend long hours on the road with. It would also apply if the roads to be traversed are well-paved, relatively free from traffic, and offer nice vistas. Of course, to a motoring enthusiast, it would be best if the vehicle to be taken to said destination offers comfort, space, and power. The need for comfort and space is obvious, but you’d also appreciate power if you don’t want to be trapped behind the inevitable slow-moving and overloaded jeepney, minibus, or tricycle.

Thankfully, a recent road trip offered all three in spades. The company? Fellow motoring journalists who share the same interests and are generally a lot of fun. The destination? The posh and very relaxing Discovery Shores Resort Hotel in Boracay via Caticlan. The vehicle? Isuzu’s much awaited all-new D-MAX pickup.

In a driving activity called “Toughness, Refined and Redefined with the All-New Isuzu D-MAX,” the pickup displayed its other side, which is that of being comfy and, dare I say it, luxurious, ride across a route that traversed the Visayan island of Panay.

Seven new D-MAX units were shipped from Manila to Iloilo by 2GO Freight, the event’s official shipping line. The drive took off from Iloilo and ended in Caticlan, with the drivers and passengers leaving the pickups at Discovery Shores’ receiving office in Caticlan and taking a ferryboat ride to Boracay afterwards. Over the course of the 260-kilometer-plus route that traversed undulating but mostly paved provincial highways, we passed by several local attractions and scenic spots.

During the leisurely drive which averaged 80-100 km/h on the national highway, the new D-MAX pampered its occupants with convenience features like 10 cupholders and 15 storage compartments to stash all manner of phones, cameras, tablets, laptops, sunglasses, drinks, and snacks. The new model’s taller, wider, and longer body translates to improved head, shoulder and leg room, particularly for the backseat passengers. Leather seats finished in what Isuzu calls Mahogany shade, a driver’s seat that’s power-adjustable in six different ways, and a rear seat that has a center armrest provided car-like comfort. In-car entertainment came in the form of a premium audio unit with Bluetooth connectivity, 6-way speaker system with first-in-class ceiling-mounted speakers, and control buttons on the leather steering wheel.

“Toughness is a key strength for any pickup truck as this guarantees its ability to carry heavy payloads and conquer rough terrain,” said Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) President Nobuo Izumina during the welcome lunch. “But along with toughness, a pickup truck should also provide modern comfort and luxury features. In this regard the All-New Isuzu D-MAX delivers, making it not just an ideal workhorse but also a perfect companion in recreational activities,” he added.

I’ve never been a fan of a pickup’s harsh and jittery ride quality. But the new D-MAX was a revelation. The pickup’s body is bolted to a heavy-duty ladder chassis that’s stiffer yet lighter, and its cabin structure is constructed from high-tensile-strength steel that’s bonded by tailor blank welding, making it more rigid than ever. A new suspension fitted to the pickup’s front end—independent double wishbones, coil springs and gas shock absorbers—and semi-elliptical over-slung leaf springs at the rear combine high payload capacity, stability, and reasonably supple riding comfort. Proof of the pudding was when I slept soundly in the backseat of the top-of-the-line LS 4x4 A/T for a good two hours during the almost 7-hour drive (including restroom and meal stops too many to count).

Another feature is the new 5-speed automatic transmission with manumatic sequential shifting, which allows driver-actuated up- and downshifts for greater driver control and enjoyment. This feature allows the driver to hold a gear when the pickup is going downhill for more stable engine braking. The additional fifth (overdrive) gear improves fuel efficiency too, especially in highway cruising.

Matching the transmission is an available four-wheel drive system that boasts of the 4WD Terrain Command Select Dial. This console-mounted dial allows the D-MAX to be switched from 2-Wheel-Drive to 4-Wheel Drive High—even at speeds of up to 100 km/h. Further enhancing the traction provided by the four-wheel drive system is a Limited Slip Differential that sends engine power to the wheel which has the most available grip. Alloy wheels wrapped with huge 255/65R-17 all-terrain tires (for the 4x4 LS variant) delivered traction and on-road comfort equally well. The pickup has ABS-equipped brakes that are supplemented by Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and the new Brake Assist (BA) system.

Power for the D-MAX comes from the tried-and-tested Isuzu 4JJ1-TC 3.0-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged and intercooled common-rail direct-injection diesel engine (fed with Caltex Diesel during the drive) that makes 146ps at 3,800 rpm and an impressively flat torque curve of 294Nm from 1,400rpm to 3,400rpm, ensuring excellent acceleration and response. A steel timing chain and melt-in liner in the cylinders ensure reliability, while a camshaft drive gear with split design and larger roller bearings for the valves’ rocker arms reduce noise and friction, improving fuel economy.

“Numerous features of the all-new Isuzu D-MAX, from its interior appointments to aerodynamic styling to tough mechanical components, are geared toward making long drives comfortable, economical and pleasurable. That these new features come on top of Isuzu vehicles’ established strengths of durability, reliability and fuel efficiency make the D-MAX the best pickup truck choice in the market today,” Izumina said.

The 2014 D-MAX is available in seven variants; LS 4x4 A/T, LS 4x4 M/T, LS 4x2 A/T, LS 4x2 M/T, LT 4x4 M/T, LT 4x2 M/T and single cab 4x2 M/T. It comes in Cosmic Black, Garnet Red, Ash Beige, Titanium Silver and Splash White colors. Like the bestselling model it replaced, it will be built at Isuzu’s world-class manufacturing plant at the Laguna Technopark in Biñan, with assembly to start in the next few months.