After completing a loop around Peninsular Malaysia using one tank of fuel, the new 2026 Isuzu D-Max 2.2L has now completed its second one-tank challenge, this time around across the East Malaysian region.
Starting from Sandakan in Sabah to Kuching in Sarawak, the second ‘D-Max One Tank. One Nation Challenge’ saw the trusted D-Max 2.2L covering a total distance of 1,605 km across the Malaysian Borneo region.
Isuzu’s ‘Best Engine Ever’ Put to the Test
Similar to the first one-tank challenge, Isuzu Malaysia fielded two variants of the latest D-Max, including the 2.2L 4×4 AT Premium and the 2.2L 4×2 Auto Plus for this Borneo crossing challenge.
Both pick-up trucks use the same 2.2-litre 4-cylinder RZ4F-TC turbodiesel engine that was introduced to the local market in March this year, which Isuzu described as their ‘best engine ever,’ replacing the old 1.9-litre 4-cylinder RZ4E-TC turbodiesel unit.
Unlike its Peninsular Malaysia loop, the Sabah-Sarawak one-tank challenge presented new challenges for the D-Max 2.2L, as it featured more rugged terrain with extreme elevations, as the journey took the two pick-up trucks across the Crocker Range—the highest mountain range in Malaysia and also home to the majestic Mount Kinabalu.
The D-Max 2.2L duo started their journey at Isuzu Malaysia’s showroom in Sandakan before heading to Telupid and then making a climb to Kundasang en route to Kota Kinabalu.
The journey continued to Sarawak via Brunei, with the next stops being Miri, Bintulu Sarikei, and Sibu, where the convoy stopped by several Isuzu dealerships along the way.
By the end of the trip, both pick-up trucks covered a total distance of 1,605 km and achieved their goal of completing this entire challenge on one tank of diesel fuel.
Commenting on this challenge completion, Isuzu Malaysia COO Kenichi Kudo said, “It is easy to claim that a vehicle is fuel efficient by driving it along a smooth and quiet highway. But for us, the Isuzu D-Max’s superiority is best showcased by keeping it real on roads our customers drive on daily. This means traversing narrow trunk roads choked with lorries and roads under construction and even crossing the Crocker Range at Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia’s highest mountain, rather than avoiding it.”
“Besides the obvious savings customers gain through the vehicle’s amazing fuel efficiency, the new Isuzu D-Max 2.2L offers lower operating costs through greater durability, higher productivity, and lower road tax, making it the compelling pick-up truck choice in today’s economic climate,” added Kudo.
