Verdict
The Ford Ranger costs RM115,888 to the Isuzu D-MAX’s RM103,121, a RM12,767 gap that buys a far more passenger-ready cabin: four doors, five seats, six airbags and ISOFIX, against the D-MAX’s two doors, two seats and two airbags. Its 168 hp and 405 Nm also narrowly beat 161 hp and 400 Nm. The D-MAX is 422 kg lighter at 1,805 kg, but its RM571 annual road tax is RM133 higher than the Ranger’s RM438. For work with a single crew, the cheaper D-MAX remains close; for carrying people, the Ranger is the clear choice.
Pick the Ford Ranger if you need five seats, six airbags and slightly stronger 168 hp/405 Nm outputs.
Pick the Isuzu D-MAX if a RM12,767 lower purchase price and 1,805 kg kerb weight matter more than rear-seat practicality.
Key differences
- Price: Ford Ranger RM115,888; Isuzu D-MAX RM103,121.
- Power and torque: Ford Ranger 168 hp and 405 Nm; Isuzu D-MAX 161 hp and 400 Nm.
- Kerb weight: Ford Ranger 2,227 kg; Isuzu D-MAX 1,805 kg.
- Seating and doors: Ford Ranger five seats/four doors; Isuzu D-MAX two seats/two doors.
- Airbags: Ford Ranger six; Isuzu D-MAX two.
- Annual road tax: Ford Ranger RM438; Isuzu D-MAX RM571.
Ranger
- Five seats and four doors.
- Six airbags, rear ISOFIX and rear curtain airbags.
- 168 hp and 405 Nm; dual-zone automatic air-con.
- RM12,767 dearer to buy.
- 422 kg heavier.
- RM438 annual road tax is lower, but its 80-litre tank is only 4 litres larger than the D-MAX’s.
D-MAX
- RM12,767 cheaper to buy.
- 422 kg lighter.
- Driver’s seat height adjustment and a radio with Bluetooth, USB and two speakers.
- Two seats and two doors versus the Ranger’s five seats and four doors.
- Two airbags versus the Ranger’s six, with no ISOFIX listed.
- 161 hp and 400 Nm trail the Ranger’s 168 hp and 405 Nm.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM115,888 | RM103,121✓ |
| Body type | Pickup | Pickup |
| Segment | Truck/4X4 | Truck/4X4 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM438✓ | RM571 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Commonrail Direct Injection with Single Turbocharger | 16-valve DOHC with Variable Geometry Turbocharger and Common-Rail Direct Injection |
| Capacity | 1,996 cc | 2,164 cc |
| Horsepower | 168 hp at 3,500 rpm✓ | 161 hp at 3,600 rpm |
| Torque | 405 Nm at 1,750 rpm✓ | 400 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Diesel | Diesel |
| Bore × Stroke | 84.01 mm × 90.03 mm | 80 mm × 94.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 15.8 | 16.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Manual |
| Transmission Name | MT88 | 6-speed Manual |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Ford | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,370 mm | 5,330 mm |
| Width | 1,918 mm | 1,810 mm |
| Height | 1,884 mm | 1,770 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,270 mm | 3,125 mm |
| Weight | 2,227 kg | 1,805 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 80 litres | 76 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Front Tyre | 255/70R16 | 205R16C |
| Rear Tyre | 255/70R16 | 205R16C |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size 16" Steel | Full Size |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Dueler H/T | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (CBU) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Leaf Springs | Leaf Springs |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 16" Steel Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 16" Steel Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 2 (Driver and Passenger) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 2 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Hill Descent Control | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Reflector | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable, Driver's Seat Height Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | Folding Bench with Tip-up Under-seat Storage | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-con |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 1 Rear | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | — | Radio with Bluetooth, USB and Two Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver and Front Passenger Auto Up and Down | Driver Side One Touch Up and Down |
| Engine Start | Manual Key | Manual Key Ignition |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | — |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Ranger & D-MAX for sale
Ranger vs D-MAX FAQ
Is the Ford Ranger or Isuzu D-MAX better?
The Ford Ranger is better for passenger carrying and safety, with five seats, six airbags and ISOFIX. The Isuzu D-MAX suits a two-person work role better if its lower purchase price and 422 kg lighter weight are the priority.
What is the price difference?
The Ford Ranger costs RM12,767 more than the Isuzu D-MAX.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The Ford Ranger has lower annual road tax at RM438, compared with RM571 for the Isuzu D-MAX.
