Isuzu D-MAX travels 1,756 kms without refuelling – and it’s not a PHEV

Manufacturers usually advertise claims about fuel consumption of their vehicles being exceptional and generally support the claims with test results based on specific industry procedures.

Isuzu Malaysia goes further to validate the claims; over the past 20 years, it is put different generations of the D-MAX pick-up truck to real-world public tests over very long distances.

The first demonstration of the exceptional fuel economy of the D-MAX was in 2005. The truck was driven from Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru… and then up to Alor Setar and back to KL. Total distance – 1,401 kms without refuelling at all.

This week, another test was carried out to demonstrate the fuel economy capabilities of the new generation 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine in the latest D-MAX models which were launched in March 2026.

The drive this time, dubbed the ‘One Tank. One Nation Challenge’, took two units of the D-MAX on a full loop around Peninsular Malaysia over a period of 6 days.

The route was on normal roads and highways with varying traffic conditions. Without adding any fuel to the tank, the total distance travelled was 1,756 kms – and there was even a bit of fuel left over! The remaining 4% of fuel was said to be sufficient to continue to Melaka from KL.

Two vehicles used
The two units of the D-MAX were the 4×4 Auto Premium and a 4×2 Auto Plus, both using the new RZ4F-TC 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine and a new 8-speed automatic transmission. “The new Isuzu D-MAX featuring the ‘best engine ever’ 2.2-litre powerplant possessed the ideal qualities for such a daunting challenge,” said Isuzu Malaysia’ Chief Operating Officer Kenichi Kudo.

The 4×2 Auto Plus variant benefits further from structural weight-savings. By omitting 4×4 hardware, its overall kerb weight is approximately 80 kgs less than the versions with 4×4. Not having driveline friction from the front differential and driveshaft components also helps in fuel economy.

The 4×2 Auto Plus variant was driven by Sing Yuin Christy, who previously earned a place in the Malaysian Book of Records, clocking the longest distance ever driven in a pick-up truck using just one tank of fuel.

Behind the wheel of the 4×4 Auto Premium was Bernard Chin, a veteran of the Isuzu fuel economy drives that have also been known as the ‘Dura Miles Challenge’.

The drive
The two trucks left an Isuzu dealership in Balakong, Selangor on August 17, heading southwards through Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, to reach Johor. Along the way, they stopped at Isuzu dealerships for breaks.

From Johor, they moved northwards along the coastal road through Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan, and then onto the 215-km East-West Highway to Kedah. Throughout the journey, they went through all types of terrain with climbs over hilly regions.

Christy noted that the combination of engine calibration and gearbox ratios played a key role in the vehicle’s efficiency. “The 8-speed unit allowed the vehicle to cruise at low engine speeds in higher ratios along flat stretches, minimizing necessary throttle input,” she said.

From Kedah, it was back south towards the Klang Valley, passing through Penang and Perak before cruising through the gate of Isuzu 3S Centre in Jinjang, Kuala Lumpur, on August 22.

Ideal for every kind of road
Commenting on the completion of the drive, Mr. Kudo, said the feat not only highlighted the new Isuzu D-MAX 2.2-litre engine’s fuel efficiency, but also reinforced the capability of the D-MAX as a truly versatile vehicle that is ideal for every kind of road in Malaysia.

“The One Tank. One Nation Challenge was the result of us wanting to showcase the capability of the new Isuzu D-MAX and its 2.2-litre engine in a way that no others have done before. Our confidence in its ability was great enough for us to publicize the entire drive with live updates on our social media pages so everyone could witness and openly follow its progress,” he said.

As part of the engagement on Isuzu Malaysia’s social media pages, a ‘Guess the Final Mileage’ contest was held with prizes worth over a total of RM10,000 to be won. The winning entry was submitted from a participant from Kluang, Johor who accurately guessed the final mileage of 1,756 kms, winning himself RM5,000 worth of grocery shopping vouchers.

Visit an Isuzu showroom to test the latest D-MAX

New turbodiesel engine boosts Isuzu D-MAX sales