Isuzu Ute Australia is now offering a smaller and more efficient 1.9 liter turbo diesel engine locally in both the D-Max ute and MU-X SUV, but will not be available across the entire local model range any time soon.
The company’s RZ4E-TC 1.9-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel is currently offered in the entry-level Isuzu D-Max SX as well as the MU-X LS-M and LS-U. Both are offered in 4×2 and 4×4 configurations.
The rest of the Isuzu D-Max and MU-X range is powered exclusively by the larger, proven 3.0-litre 4JJ3 four-cylinder turbodiesel, producing 140kW and 450Nm.
Isuzu Ute Australia Managing Director Junta Matsui said: CarExpert The company is open to introducing the 1.9-litre turbodiesel engine in the higher-priced D-Max and MU-X models, but the local market still prefers power from the 3.0-litre turbodiesel.
“The current situation [is] “We’re not saying we’re not willing to add this 1.9-liter engine to the high-end models, but at the moment we don’t see a market,” Junta-san said.
However, in certain markets, including the UK, only a Euro 6-compliant version of the 1.9-litre turbodiesel is offered.
For comparison, all powertrains in Australia are currently Euro 5 compliant. The stricter Euro 6d emissions standards apply locally to all new cars (including SUVs and light commercial vehicles) sold from December 2025.
A key difference between the Australian-spec 1.9-litre turbodiesel and the 3.0-litre turbodiesel, apart from the size difference and power and torque differences, is that it is said to be more fuel efficient.
D-Max models with 1.9-liter engines are said to be around 14 percent more efficient on average than models with 3.0-liter engines, while MU-Xs are between 5 and 12 percent more efficient, depending on configuration.
All D-Max and MU-X models with the 1.9-liter turbodiesel also have a lower braked towing capacity compared to models with the 3.0-liter turbodiesel. The former has a braked towing capacity of 2800kg with manual transmission and 3000kg with automatic transmission, while the latter is 3500kg regardless of transmission.
It’s worth noting that the D-Max and MU-X variants with the 1.9-liter turbodiesel are $2,000 cheaper than those with the 3.0-liter turbodiesel.
Isuzu Ute Australia hasn’t shied away from introducing the 1.9-litre turbo diesel engine locally to appeal to fleet companies looking to reduce CO2 emissions2 Emissions.
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