Nissan Navara vs Isuzu D-Max: Top-spec truck match-up
As time goes on, car manufacturers have realized that pickup trucks doesn't necessarily mean a basic, utilitarian vehicle that’s only used for logistics and work. In contrast, the modern pickup truck has evolved to be a comfortable five-seater that can almost do anything. Some have even evolved into sporty and off-road capable lifestyle cars for the adventurous driver.
Two of those trucks that have become much more than utility vehicles are of course the Nissan Navara PRO-4X and the Isuzu D-Max LS-E. So which of these two top-spec trucks are better on paper? Let’s find out.
Which truck offers the better specs?
Nissan Navara vs Isuzu D-Max: Exterior
In comparing dimensions, the Navara PRO-4X 4x4 AT comes with a length of 5,260mm, a width of 1,875mm, and a height of 1,855mm. It then has a wheelbase length of 3,150mm, and a ground clearance of 220mm.
The Nissan Navara PRO-4X
Meanwhile, the top-spec Isuzu D-Max LS-E length stretches to 5,277mm. It also has a width of 1,880mm, and a height of 1,810mm. For ground clearance, this variant of the D-Max has 240mm. Its wheelbase then measures 3,125mm.
| Nissan Navara PRO-4X 4x4 AT | Dimensions | Isuzu D-Max LS-E 4x4 AT |
| 5,260mm | Length | 5,277mm |
| 1,875mm | Width | 1,880mm |
| 1,855mm | Height | 1,810mm |
| 3,150mm | Wheelbase | 3,125mm |
| 220mm | Ground Clearance | 240mm |
Overall, the top-of-the-line D-Max is longer and wider than the top-spec Navara. The Isuzu model also has 20mm more ground clearance, though its wheelbase is shorter by 25mm. For that matter, the Navara PRO-4X has a lighter curb weight of 2,011kg, compared to the D-Max LS-E's 2,600kg.
The top-of-the-line Isuzu D-Max LS-E
For exterior equipment, both top-of-the-line trucks are equipped with auto on/off LED headlamps, LED daytime running lights, LED taillights, LED front fog lamps, power-folding side mirrors, side steps, overfenders, as well as roof rails.
Which do you think looks better from the rear? Is it the Navara PRO-4X (left), or the D-Max LS-E (right)
As for their beds, only the D-Max LS-E comes with a bedliner. In turn, the Navara PRO-4X is the only truck in the local market that has an adjustable, on-rails tie-point system for securing cargo. Both models do come with rain-sensing wipers.
| Nissan Navara PRO-4X 4x4 AT | Exterior Equipment | Isuzu D-Max LS-E 4x4 AT |
| Quad-LED w/ auto-on/off | Headlamps | Bi-LED w/ auto-on/off |
| LED | Daytime Running Lights | LED |
| LED | Turn signal lamps | LED |
| LED | Taillights | LED |
| LED | Front fog lights | LED |
| With | Roof rails | With |
| 17 | Wheel size | 18 |
| Alloy | Wheel type | Alloy |
Nissan Navara vs Isuzu D-Max: Interior
Inside, both the Navara PRO-4X and the D-Max LS-E can comfortably seat up to five. Both also come standard with a dual-zone automatic air-conditioning system with rear vents, a push to start button, and a predominantly dark interior.
Inside the Navara PRO-4X
The D-Max LS-E however does have an electronically adjustable driver’s seat as well as a tilt and telescopic steering wheel. In comparison, the Navara PRO-4X comes with a tilt only steering wheel, and a manually adjustable driver’s seat.
| Nissan Navara PRO-4X 4x4 AT | Interior Equipment | Isuzu D-Max LS-E 4x4 AT |
| Leather | Seat material | Leather |
| Manual | Driver’s seat adjustment | Electronic |
| Tilt | Steering wheel adjustment | Tilt and Telescopic |
| Dual-zone automatic AC with rear vents | Air-conditioning type | Automatic climate control with rear vents |
| Push button | Ignition | Push button |
| 5 | Seating capacity | 5 |
Moreover, the Navara PRO-4X has standard cruise control, whereas the D-Max LS-E gets adaptive cruise control. Both do get leather seats, though the Navara’s can be folded with a 60:40 split. The Nissan model’s rear seat also comes with a folding armrest, which isn’t available on the Isuzu model.
The D-Max LS-E's interior
For entertainment, the Navara PRO-4X is kitted out with an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it is then linked to a six-piece speaker system.
| Nissan Navara PRO-4X 4x4 AT | On-board tech | Isuzu D-Max LS-E 4x4 AT |
| 8-inch touchscreen | Infotainment system | 10.1-inch touchscreen |
| Apple CarPlay, Android Auto Bluetooth, USB | Connectivity options | Apple CarPlay, Android Auto Bluetooth, USB |
| 6 | # of Speakers | 8 |
| With | Offline Navigation | With |
| With | Power-folding side mirror | With |
| With | Auto-dimming rearview mirror | With |
| With | Rain-sensing wipers | With |
The D-Max LS-E meanwhile, gets a larger 10.1-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Isuzu model then gets more speakers numbering at eight.
Nissan Navara vs Isuzu D-Max: Engine and Performance
Under the hood of the top-spec Navara PRO-4X is a 2.5-liter inline-4 YD25 turbodiesel engine. At maximum, it can produce 187 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque. It then uses a seven-speed automatic gearbox with a manual mode.
The Navara's 2.5-liter YD25 inline-4 turbodiesel engine
In turn, the D-Max LS-E uses a 3.0-liter inline-4 4JJ3-TCX turbodiesel engine. It can churn out 187 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque, and it is then linked to a six-speed automatic gearbox.
Both trucks come with a 4x4 drivetrain with push-button controls for the said system. The one on the Nissan however, does come with a differential lock. Curiously, only the D-Max LS-E lacks a differential lock, and it is only available on the D-Max LS 4x4 MT.
The 3.0-liter 4JJ3-TCX inline-4 turbodiesel powering the D-Max
For suspensions, the Navara uses a double wishbone front, and a multi-link rear. Meanwhile, the D-Max also has a double wishbone front suspension, but it's rear uses a semi-elliptical leaf spring rear suspension.
For both trucks, braking is handled by a ventilated disc for the front, and drum brakes for the rear. Both also get manual, hand-operated parking brakes.
| Specs | Nissan Navara PRO-4X 4x4 AT | Isuzu D-Max LS-E 4x4 AT |
| Engine | Inline-4 turbodiesel | Inline-4 turbodiesel |
| Displacement | 2.5-liters | 3.0-liters |
| Transmission | Seven-speed automatic | Six-speed automatic |
| Horsepower | 187 horsepower | 187 horsepower |
| Torque | 450 Nm | 450 Nm |
| Drivetrain | 4x4 | 4x4 |
Nissan Navara vs Isuzu D-Max: Safety
In terms of safety, both trucks have anti-lock braking with electronic brake-force distribution, hill-start assist, parking sensors, traction control, and stability control. Both also have a security alarm, as well as a security alarm. When it comes to airbags though, the Isuzu model has seven, whereas the Nissan has six.
Moving on to driver assist features, both the Navara PRO-4X and the D-Max LS-E have quite a list. Both come standard with lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, a 360-degree view camera, autonomous emergency braking, forward collision alert, hill-descent control, among others.
| Nissan Navara PRO-4X 4x4 AT | Safety equipment | Isuzu D-Max LS-E 4x4 AT |
| 6 | Airbags | 7 |
| With | Antilock braking with EBD | With |
| With | Reverse Camera | With |
| With | 360-degree camera | With |
| Standard | Cruise control | Adaptive |
| With | Hill-start assist | With |
| With | Hill descent control | With |
| With | Stability control | With |
| With | ISOFIX child seat tethers | With |
| WIth | Lane departure warning | With |
| With | Blind-spot detection | With |
| None | Tire pressure monitoring | None |
| With | Engine immobilizer | With |
| With | Security alarm | With |
| With | Emergency braking | With |
Nissan Navara vs Isuzu D-Max: Price
| Nissan Navara Variants | Price |
| Navara EL 2.5 4x2 MT | Php 1,026,000 |
| Navara VE Calibre 2.5 4x2 MT | Php 1,246,000 |
| Navara VE Calibre 2.5 4x2 AT | Php 1,336,000 |
| Navara VE 2.5 4x4 MT | Php 1,376,000 |
| Navara VL Calibre 2.5 4x2 AT | Php 1,476,000 |
| Navara VL 2.5 4x4 MT | Php 1,576,000 |
| Navara VL 2.5 4x4 AT | Php 1,656,000 |
| Navara PRO-4X 2.5 4x4 AT | Php 1,746,000 |
| Isuzu D-Max Variants | Price |
| D-Max 1.9 4x2 Single Cab MT | 857,000 |
| D-Max LT 1.9 4x2 MT | 987,000 |
| D-Max RZ4E 1.9 LS 4x2 MT | 1,219,000 |
| D-Max LT 3.0 4x4 MT | 1,288,000 |
| D-Max RZ4E 1.9 LS 4x2 AT | 1,309,000 |
| D-Max 3.0 LS 4x2 MT | 1,320,000 |
| D-Max LS-A 3.0 4x2 AT | 1,390,000 |
| D-Max LS 3.0 4x4 MT | 1,630,000 |
| D-Max LS-E 3.0 4x4 AT | 1,825,000 |
Nissan Navara vs Isuzu D-Max: Conclusion
If evaluated as pickup trucks, both can do well. Both the Navara PRO-4X and the D-Max LS-E can carry up to around a ton, and both can handle rough terrain, unpaved roads, and potholes with ease. Both also have a decent amount of driver assist features, and both even have the same engine outputs.
Do you like how the Navara PRO-4X looks from the side?
Now, there are some things that set each other apart. For instance, the D-Max LS-E has adaptive cruise control. That’s pretty useful for long distance trips. Then again, the Nissan model has a locking rear differential, which is crucial for certain off-road situations. The D-Max also costs a fair bit more than the Navara so take note of that.
For styling though, we’ll leave that up to you as usual. Also, if you’re choosing between these two, we recommend taking each for a test drive first.
Or do you like the D-Max LS-E's side profile better?
If you want to check out more comparison articles between competing car models, keep it here on the Philippines' largest car portal.