Isuzu DMax VCross To Get A 2.2L Engine Soon: Details
Isuzu launched the 2026 D-Max V-Cross facelift in India in 2026. It came with a bunch of cosmetic updates and feature improvements. The new truck, however, remains mechanically unchanged and is powered by a 1.9-litre diesel engine producing 163hp and 360Nm. This is set to change in the near future. This engine will soon be replaced by a 2.2L diesel engine. The manufacturer recently launched the facelifted 2026 Isuzu D-Max in Malaysia with the new 2.2-litre turbodiesel MaxForce engine.
In Malaysia, the D-Max is sold in nine variants, including both single and double-cab bodystyles.The facelift is priced from RM103,121 to RM162,938, on road without insurance. That translates to roughly Rs 24 lakh to Rs 37.7 lakh. It should be noted that the generation currently on sale in India is not the same as that sold in markets like Malaysia. This makes it difficult to assume a timeline when the new 2.2-litre MaxForce engine would replace the 1.9L unit. We know that the new engine will eventually reach the Indian shores.
The new 2.2L engine is claimed to be more powerful and efficient than the unit it replaces. The cylinders have been redesigned to ensure improved oil flow, and get high-swirl cylinder heads for cleaner combustion. It also gets an electronic variable geometry turbocharger, low-friction pistons and high-pressure direct injectors.
The electronic control unit (ECU) has also been reworked. The new engine is torquier. It makes 163hp and 400Nm. In Malaysia, the higher-spec Premium and X-Terrain variants come with a more powerful 3.0L diesel engine that generates 190hp and 450Nm.
The 2.2L engine comes paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, co-developed with AISIN. This unit is claimed to lower fuel consumption significantly.
The manufacturer hasn’t made any official remarks or comments on the possible roll-out timeline of the new engine here or plans of the same. However, if the move to pull the plug on the 1.9L diesel engine is global, it makes little sense to keep the old engine in India, a relatively small market. Isuzu’s pickup truck portfolio here consists of the D-MAX, S-Cab, S-Cab Z, Hi-Lander and the range-topping V-Cross. It also sells a purpose-built ambulance version of the D-MAX here. The Hi-Lander and V Cross are in good demand among lifestyle buyers.
The India-spec V Cross is decently-packaged pickup truck, especially in its latest avatar. The 1.9L engine, however, felt just adequate for it. It won’t disappoint you. But it won’t excite you either. The performance is strong, but with ample room for improvement. The new engine is expected to address the same. 400Nm should feel quite fun on the India-spec model.
The recently-introduced facelift made the truck better-looking. The front grille has been redesigned and, on the top-spec trims, now gets blacked-out surrounds.
The front bumper has been reworked. It moves away from the earlier rugged look with heavy black cladding and a silver skid plate, and instead adopts a body-coloured finish with subtle chrome and black detailing.
Along the sides, the bulky wheel-arch cladding has been removed. The indicator lamps on ORVMs have become slimmer. The rear gets a gloss-black insert on the bumper.
Inside, the facelift gets more upmarket trims and a slightly revised layout. It gets a new dual-tone colour scheme and more premium upholstery. A new 10.3-inch floating touchscreen has been added, which also has support for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Paired with it is an 8-speaker sound system. Other features include a 360-degree camera, power adjustment for driver’s seat, passive entry and more.