Isuzu D-Max 2.2 Covers Peninsular Malaysia Loop on One Tank

2026 Isuzu D-Max 2.2 Completes 1,756 km Peninsular Malaysia Loop on a Single Tank of Diesel

The 2026 Isuzu D-Max 2.2 is a pick-up truck manufactured by Isuzu, distributed in Malaysia by Isuzu Malaysia. It features a new RZ4F-TC 2.2-litre inline-four turbodiesel engine replacing the previous 1.9-litre unit. The vehicle completed a 1,756 km counter-clockwise loop of Peninsular Malaysia on one tank of diesel, with over 4% fuel remaining, demonstrating its fuel efficiency for Malaysian motorists facing mixed road conditions including highways, trunk roads, and mountainous terrain.

Key Facts

What Is the Isuzu D-Max One Tank One Nation Challenge?

The One Tank One Nation Challenge was a publicised fuel efficiency test conducted by Isuzu Malaysia in August 2026. Two units of the 2026 D-Max 2.2 attempted to complete a full counter-clockwise loop of Peninsular Malaysia without refuelling, covering highways, trunk roads, and the mountainous East-West Link Expressway from Jeli to Gerik.

The challenge began on August 17, 2026, and concluded on August 22, 2026, at the Isuzu 3S centre in Jinjang, Kuala Lumpur. The total distance covered was 1,756 km, with both vehicles still having over 4% fuel remaining at the finish line, enough to continue to Melaka.

The 2026 Isuzu D-Max 2.2 completed a 1,756 km loop of Peninsular Malaysia on one tank of diesel with over 4% fuel remaining.

What Engine Does the 2026 Isuzu D-Max Use in Malaysia?

The 2026 Isuzu D-Max uses the RZ4F-TC 2.2-litre inline-four turbodiesel engine, which replaces the previous RZ4E-TC 1.9-litre unit. This new engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic gearbox, which the challenge driver noted was matched brilliantly to the engine's power delivery for efficient cruising.

According to Sing Yuin Christy, who drove the 2.2L 4×2 Auto Plus variant during the challenge:

"The throttle response of the new engine and the way its power delivery has been matched brilliantly to the ratios of the new eight-speed gearbox meant that we were usually in the correct gear for any given road condition. Cruising along trunk roads and highways in seventh and eighth gears also allowed us to coast along rather efficiently without needing too much throttle input thereby saving lots of fuel."

— Sing Yuin Christy, challenge driver, via Paul Tan's Automotive News

The RZ4F-TC 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine with 8-speed automatic transmission delivered efficient fuel consumption across Malaysian highways and trunk roads.

How Did the D-Max Perform on Malaysian Road Conditions?

The challenge route was designed to reflect real Malaysian driving conditions, including rain, heavy traffic, trunk roads, mountains, and highways. The vehicles travelled through Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor, Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan, Kedah, Penang, Perak, and Selangor, with ten pit stops at Isuzu dealerships along the way.

Kenichi Kudo, Isuzu Malaysia's COO for light commercial vehicles, stated:

"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. We also wanted to reflect the kind of road conditions that Malaysian motorists would face in their daily drives around the country including rain, heavy traffic, trunk roads, mountains and highways."

— Kenichi Kudo, COO, Isuzu Malaysia

The D-Max 2.2 completed the loop through ten Malaysian states, including the mountainous East-West Link Expressway, on a single tank of diesel.

Who Drove the Isuzu D-Max During the Challenge?

The challenge involved two drivers piloting two D-Max variants: the 2.2L 4×4 AT Premium and the 2.2L 4×2 Auto Plus. The latter was driven by Sing Yuin Christy, who previously earned a Malaysian Book of Records entry for the longest distance driven in a pick-up truck on a single tank of fuel, accomplished during a 2,000 km run from Thailand to Malaysia in a 2024 Isuzu D-Max.

Isuzu Malaysia publicly live-updated the entire drive on their social media pages, allowing the public to follow the progress in real time. The company stated they were "proud that we took this challenge, proud that our 2.2L D-Max accomplished what it set out to do, proud that we 'Kept the Manifest Real' in front of every Malaysian."

Sing Yuin Christy, a Malaysian Book of Records holder for longest distance in a pick-up truck on one tank, drove the 2.2L 4×2 Auto Plus variant during the challenge.

Who Is This For in Malaysia?

The 2026 Isuzu D-Max 2.2 is aimed at Malaysian pick-up truck buyers seeking fuel efficiency without compromising on capability. The vehicle is suited for both urban and rural users, including those who regularly travel between states for work or leisure, given its demonstrated ability to cover long distances on a single tank.

For Malaysian users, the D-Max 2.2 addresses the practical concern of fuel costs, particularly for those who rely on pick-up trucks for commercial or agricultural purposes. The 1,756 km range on one tank means fewer refuelling stops on long journeys, which is a significant advantage for users in Peninsular Malaysia's varied terrain, from coastal highways to mountainous trunk roads.

The 2026 Isuzu D-Max 2.2 is positioned as the most fuel-efficient pick-up truck choice in Malaysia, with a demonstrated range of 1,756 km on a single tank.

Common Questions

How much does the 2026 Isuzu D-Max 2.2 cost in Malaysia?

The 2026 Isuzu D-Max 2.2 is priced between RM103,000 and RM163,000 on-the-road in Malaysia, depending on the variant. The 2.2L 4×4 AT Premium and 2.2L 4×2 Auto Plus variants were used in the fuel efficiency challenge.

What is the fuel range of the 2026 Isuzu D-Max 2.2?

The 2026 Isuzu D-Max 2.2 covered 1,756 km on a single tank of diesel during the One Tank One Nation Challenge, with over 4% fuel remaining. This suggests the total potential range exceeds 1,800 km under similar driving conditions.

When was the 2026 Isuzu D-Max launched in Malaysia?

The 2026 Isuzu D-Max was launched in Malaysia in March 2026. It features the new RZ4F-TC 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission, replacing the previous 1.9-litre unit.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the original report published by Paul Tan's Automotive News on August 28, 2026, titled "Isuzu D-Max 2.2 covers full loop of Peninsular Malaysia on one tank of diesel – 1,756 km covered with 4% fuel left." The source URL is https://paultan.org/2026/08/28/isuzu-d-max-2-2-covers-full-loop-of-peninsular-malaysia-on-one-tank-of-diesel/.

All prices are quoted in Ringgit Malaysia (RM) as provided in the source. No currency conversions were required. Vehicle specifications, challenge statistics, and direct quotes are attributed to Isuzu Malaysia officials and challenge participants as cited in the original article.

This article was last updated on August 28, 2026. Information specific to Malaysia was verified against the original Paul Tan's Automotive News report.