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How the Isuzu D-Max 2020 is gunning for Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger and Mitsubishi Triton: Brand targeting dual-cab top three

Isuzu is targeting the big boys of the ute world with the all-new D-Max, with the company confirming it is hopeful of cracking the top three on the sales charts when its new ute arrives next year.

The 2020 Isuzu D-Max - the ute's first full update in eight years - was revealed last week ahead of its offical unveiling next week, with a power boost, a tech overhaul and a new look chief among the changes.

And the brand in Australia is hopeful those changes will elevate the D-Max onto the country's best-seller podium, with spots one, two and three currently occupied by the HiLux, the Ranger and the Triton

"At the moment we’re the fifth best-selling vehicle in the segment, and we are continually looking to improve on that," a company representative told CarsGuide.

Across both two- and four-wheel-drive segments, the D-Max has shifted 12,299 units to the end of September this year. The Toyota HiLux leads the race, with a combined 36,529 sales, followed by the Ford Ranger with 30,961. The Mitsubishi Triton holds third, with 19,036 sales, and Holden Colorado is fourth with 13,593.

But with a new D-Max coming, Isuzu is confident of improving its position.

While the smaller, 1.9-litre diesel engine offered internationally is yet to be ruled out, it's understood the D-Max's 3.0-litre diesel will live on in Australia, only with a power boost that has seen outputs grow to 140kW and 450Nm.

The 2020 model also gets a tough new appearance that adds front and rear LED DRLs, LED headlights, a front-end and a redesigned rear.

The interior gets a significant overhaul, too, with a choice between a 7.0 or 9.0-inch touchscreen that gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and more premium-feeling cabin materials across the board. 

International cars get keyless entry, push-button start, voice recognition, auto headlights, dual-zone climate and front and rear parking sensors join the standard kit list on top-spec models internationally, while blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, round-body parking sensors, hill start assist and hill descent control join the safety kit. While uncomfirmed, AEB is expected to arrive for Australian cars, with Isuzu thought to  targeting a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

Andrew Chesterton
Contributing Journalist
Andrew Chesterton should probably hate cars. From his hail-damaged Camira that looked like it had spent a hard life parked at the end of Tiger Woods' personal driving range, to the Nissan Pulsar Reebok that shook like it was possessed by a particularly mean-spirited demon every time he dared push past 40km/h, his personal car history isn't exactly littered with gold. But that seemingly endless procession of rust-savaged hate machines taught him something even more important; that cars are more than a collection of nuts, bolts and petrol. They're your ticket to freedom, a way to unlock incredible experiences, rolling invitations to incredible adventures. They have soul. And so, somehow, the car bug still bit. And it bit hard. When "Chesto" started his journalism career with News Ltd's Sunday and Daily Telegraph newspapers, he covered just about everything, from business to real estate, courts to crime, before settling into state political reporting at NSW Parliament House. But the automotive world's siren song soon sounded again, and he begged anyone who would listen for the opportunity to write about cars. Eventually they listened, and his career since has seen him filing car news, reviews and features for TopGear, Wheels, Motor and, of course, CarsGuide, as well as many, many others. More than a decade later, and the car bug is yet to relinquish its toothy grip. And if you ask Chesto, he thinks it never will.
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