[TusharK]

Scoop! Isuzu D-Max Hi-Lander pick-up spotted at dealership

Earlier this month, we had reported that Isuzu was likely to offer two variants of its dual-cab pick-up truck in India. Along with the regular V-Cross, the company will also launch a base-spec Hi-Lander variant. The latter has now been spotted at a dealership.



As expected, the Hi-Lander is pretty barebones. It is essentially a slightly premium version of the D-Max S-cab with 225 mm of ground clearance and no speed limiter. The steel wheels get silver wheel caps and the front bumper features a more sporty design.



The Hi-Lander gets a basic interior with manual air-conditioning. It also misses out on a touchscreen infotainment head-unit.



The Isuzu Hi-Lander could be offered with a 1.9-litre diesel engine. This particular vehicle is equipped with a manual transmission but doesn't seem to have an all-wheel-drive system.



The Hi-Lander variant is rumoured to cost Rs. 5 lakh more than the D-Max S-Cab.







Thanks to the Team-BHP fan (he prefers to remain anonymous) who sent these images in. Heartfelt gratitude for sharing them with other enthusiasts via this Team-BHP share page!

Link to Team-BHP News

[Big Smoke]

Originally Posted by TusharK

The Hi-Lander variant is rumoured to cost Rs. 5 lakh more than the D-Max S-Cab.

If the Hi-Lander is only a "slightly" more premium offering than the D-Max, then what makes it more expensive by Rs. 5 lakh! I'm very sure that better paint, wheel caps & a different bumper don't cost Rs. 5 lakhs. I don't know whether the D-Max comes with AC or not. Even if the Hi-Lander provides AC which, suppose the D-Max doesn't, it still makes no sense!

It's a massive rip-off. And not offering 4x4 is a downer.

[prasanna.vps]

It seems a sensible approach from Isuzu, if the Hi-Lander comes in at <15 lac OTR, it will have many takers.

No 4x4 is not a downer for many, rear-wheel drive 4x2 is good enough. The 1.9 turbo is punchy. Upgrades would be a good ICE with integrated android auto/carplay with integrated rear camera and you will be set.

I am still awaiting news on the 3L new V-Cross, it will be fully kitted and based on oem market maybe we can "steal" some of its parts for this hi-lander too

So hold your horses, this option is better than no option at lower cost.

At the cost of making some friends cranky, on a given day this is way better than a lifestyle Thar which has a 4x4 never to be used.

[PrideRed]

Originally Posted by Big Smoke

If the Hi-Lander is only a "slightly" more premium offering than the D-Max, then what makes it more expensive by Rs. 5 lakh! I'm very sure that better paint, wheel caps & a different bumper don't cost Rs. 5 lakhs. I don't know whether the D-Max comes with AC or not. Even if the Hi-Lander provides AC which, suppose the D-Max doesn't, it still makes no sense!

It's a massive rip-off. And not offering 4x4 is a downer.

Hi Lander gets 19.L engine as compared to old 2.5L mill in S-Cab. May also get a different gearbox? Visually, there don't seem to be much difference.

[Turbanator]

I checked our last purchase, the V-Cross that first came in 2016, we got it for Rs 12,39 Lac Ex-showroom Chandigarh. VAT on such vehicles was 13,20 % so Isuzu got 10,94 as base price. Currently, the GST on such SUV's is 48 % whereas GST on commercial variant - D-Max Crew is 28%. Since the Highlander will be for personal use SUV, it will be taxed at 48%.

Hope this will bring clarity to the higher charges on Highlander vs the Crew Cab. This is subject to my understanding of the taxes.

V-Cross invoice from 2016 with 13,2 % VAT



D-Max Crew Cab invoice from 2019 with 28% GST (commercial use)

[swunkjyn]

So @Turbanator, from the calculation you've done, it seems like the news V-cross is going to be expensive.
Be it the bare-bones or the full loaded model, if barebones is around 15 Lakhs to 17 lakhs, then the top model will be somewhere between 20 lakhs to 22 lakhs.

Because the BS4 4x4 Automatic 1.9L was being sold for 19.99 Lakhs so a BS6 will for sure cost 2 Lakhs extra.

[Turbanator]

Originally Posted by swunkjyn

Because the BS4 4x4 Automatic 1.9L was being sold for 19.99 Lakhs so a BS6 will for sure cost 2 Lakhs extra.

Correct, I won't be surprised if they launch at 23 Plus Ex-Showroom

Originally Posted by prasanna.vps

Per my sources, it should be in the range of 15-16L ex-showroom, fingers crossed

That will be the newer Highlander, manual and 2 W variant. I was referring to the Auto, 1,9 - 4x4 V Cross.

[prasanna.vps]

Originally Posted by Turbanator

Correct, I won't be surprised if they launch at 23 Plus Ex-Showroom

Per my sources, it should be in the range of 15-16L OTR for base variant, fingers crossed!

[swunkjyn]

So there will be 2 models only, base variant with no 4x4 and manual transmission.
Top variant with 4x4 and Automatic only. I wish they had 4 models.
1. Base variant with no 4x4 and manual transmission.
2. Base variant with 4x4 and manual transmission.
3. Top end variant with 4x4 and manual transmission.
4. Top end variant with Automatic transmission.

[PrideRed]

Originally Posted by Turbanator

Correct, I won't be surprised if they launch at 23 Plus Ex-Showroom

So this wont be a cheap truck anymore! Given the OTR will cross 30L mark, wondering what will be the pricing of MU-X when Isuzu launches one. In nearly 4-5 years the prices of DMAX has nearly doubled

[chinchu.c]

Last week I had sent an email to Isuzu India asking them to classify the S-Cab as personal use vehicle so that it could be registered for personal use.
Did not get any reply though.
Guess I won't be getting a reply now
The Highlander at this high a price (of 5 lakhs more than D-max) is definitely out of bounds for me.

[Turbanator]

Originally Posted by swunkjyn

So there will be 2 models only

No, for V-Class, there will be both Manual and Auto Options. Not sure about the auto on the Highlander variant, though.

Originally Posted by PrideRed

So this wont be a cheap truck anymore! Given the OTR will cross 30L mark, wondering what will be the pricing of MU-X when Isuzu launches one. In nearly 4-5 years the prices of DMAX has nearly doubled

OTR will vary from state, over here in Chandigarh, even at 22-23 Lac ex-showroom, RTO will be 1,2 Lac ( Ex shw Minus GST x 8%). It was 19,9 Lac before in Euro 4 so practically, around 3 lac more, if they indeed launch at 23. I have mentioned the reasons of low launch prices in an earlier post. I will say a combination of factors and not necessarily that Isuzu has gone greedy. The one they launched was also a very basic one, manual (missing audio- remember!) current ones get an Auto, better engine/ interiors.

If we look at the fortuner/ endeavour prices, it will be still a value buy

[swunkjyn]

I guess then I'll have to search for a used V-cross, Fortuner or 4WD Scorpio. Then there is 10 year limit on Diesel cars from NGT and Supreme Court.
Thank God that it is not yet applicable in Himachal or Chandigarh.

[BANDHAV]

Originally Posted by chinchu.c

Last week I had sent an email to Isuzu India asking them to classify the S-Cab as personal use vehicle so that it could be registered for personal use.
Did not get any reply though.
Guess I won't be getting a reply now
The Highlander at this high a price (of 5 lakhs more than D-max) is definitely out of bounds for me.

If highlander is going to cost around 15+ lacs, S-Cab makes so much more sense, a basic 5000 Rs remap can remove the speed limit, certain additional funds can get you a private registration.

[CEF_Beasts]

Originally Posted by Big Smoke

If the Hi-Lander is only a "slightly" more premium offering than the D-Max, then what makes it more expensive by Rs. 5 lakh! I'm very sure that better paint, wheel caps & a different bumper don't cost Rs. 5 lakhs. I don't know whether the D-Max comes with AC or not. Even if the Hi-Lander provides AC which, suppose the D-Max doesn't, it still makes no sense!

Another difference I can think of is that the ride height between the S-Cab and Highlander is different.

S-Cab is lower than the Highlander if I am not wrong.