The new Isuzu D-Max 2.2-litre turbo diesel has completed a 1,605km drive from Sandakan to Kuching without refuelling, with the 4×2 variant finishing without even triggering its low-fuel warning.
The new Isuzu D-Max 2.2-litre turbo diesel has completed another long-distance fuel-efficiency challenge in Malaysia, travelling from Sandakan, Sabah, to Kuching, Sarawak, on a single tank of diesel.
The feat was part of Isuzu Malaysia’s D-Max One Tank. One Nation Challenge, which was designed to demonstrate the pickup truck’s fuel efficiency under real-world driving conditions. Two variants took part: the 4×2 AutoPlus and the 4×4 Automatic Premium, with both completing the journey with fuel remaining.
More impressively, the 4×2 AutoPlus reached the finish line without activating its low-fuel warning light.
The East Malaysian leg covered approximately 1,605km, following an earlier challenge in which the D-Max 2.2 completed a loop of Peninsular Malaysia using one tank of fuel.
Not just a highway fuel-economy run
The route was deliberately chosen to test the D-Max in more demanding conditions than a straightforward highway drive.
Starting at the Universal Motor Isuzu showroom in Sandakan, the convoy travelled towards Telupid, where construction work on the Pan Borneo Highway remains ongoing, before climbing the mountainous roads towards Kundasang and Kota Kinabalu.
The journey then continued through Brunei into Sarawak, passing Miri, Bintulu, Sarikei and Sibu before concluding at the Jimisar Auto Niaga Isuzu 3S Centre in Kuching.
The route presented a combination of construction zones, narrow trunk roads, heavy-vehicle traffic and steep gradients across the Crocker Range near Mount Kinabalu.
According to Isuzu Malaysia Chief Operating Officer for Light Commercial Vehicles Kenichi Kudo, the challenge was intended to reflect the conditions customers encounter in everyday driving rather than relying on easier, uninterrupted highway routes.
The new 2.2-litre engine takes centre stage
At the heart of the D-Max’s performance is its new 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine, which Isuzu describes as its best engine yet.
The engine is designed to deliver improved power, torque, refinement, durability and fuel efficiency. Its strong low-rev torque allows the pickup to tackle steep climbs without requiring excessive engine speed, helping maintain a more relaxed driving experience while managing fuel consumption.
The engine is paired with a new eight-speed automatic transmission, which is intended to improve both drivability and efficiency.
For pickup truck owners, fuel consumption is only part of the equation. Running costs, durability and vehicle uptime are equally important, particularly for those who depend on their vehicles for work. Isuzu also points to the new 2.2-litre D-Max’s lower road tax and operating costs as advantages for customers looking to manage ownership expenses.
Isuzu brings the challenge closer to Malaysians
Beyond testing the vehicle, the challenge included public engagement activities at selected Isuzu dealerships along the route. D-Max brand ambassador Baki Zainal met fans and distributed Isuzu merchandise as the convoy made its way across East Malaysia.
Members of the public were also invited to predict the total distance covered, with RM10,000 worth of prizes available, including RM5,000 in grocery shopping vouchers for the winning entry.
While the one-tank challenge is not a substitute for standardised fuel-consumption testing, completing the demanding cross-state route with fuel remaining provides a real-world demonstration of the D-Max 2.2’s long-distance efficiency.
For Malaysian pickup buyers who regularly travel between towns, carry loads or navigate challenging terrain, the result reinforces the importance of balancing fuel economy with usable torque, durability and everyday practicality.
