Pickups are becoming more ubiquitous as more Filipinos opt for high-riding vehicles in lieu of sedans and hatchbacks. Car manufacturers have responded to this shift in the market by fitting their tough trucks with more and more toys in a bid to shake off the once-utilitarian image of these workhorses and eat up a significant slice of the sales pie.

Isuzu isn’t naïve to this trend. The commercial vehicle specialist is once again making an effort to push its D-Max pickup upmarket in order to attract a different type of buyer—one that doesn’t need to meet delivery deadlines and worry about maximizing profits.

The end result is the D-Max LS-A, and it’s a smartly decked-out thing. The carbon-gray front fascia is a welcome change. The omission of chrome appears to do wonders for this range-topping variant as seen on some of its competitors like the Ford Ranger Wildtrak. The color complements the six exterior hues that the LS-A is available in: Cosmic Black, Sapphire Blue, Titanium Silver, Red Spinel, Splash White and Silky Pearl White.

Also receiving the carbon-gray treatment is the bed extender that supposedly makes the cargo area look taller than it really is. If that’s not enough, the D-Max LS-A comes with functional roof rails for even more versatility.

Being functional is what Isuzu trucks have always been known for, and the D-Max LS-A’s interior is no different. There is an abundance of cupholders, cubbyholes and storage shelves inside the cab. But that’s not to say that the cabin is a dreary place to be in—far from it. The leather seats and the touchscreen infotainment system should keep boredom at bay during long trips.

Powering the D-Max LS-A is the ever-dependable 3.0-liter in-line-four turbodiesel mill. Output and torque max out at 175hp and 380Nm. As this is a Blue Power engine that’s mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic gearbox, power delivery is expected to be linear throughout the rev range.

The D-Max LS-A, which will be sold in both 4×4 and 4×2 versions, is priced as follows:

• D-Max 3.0 LS-A 4×2 MT – P1,320,000
• D-Max 3.0 LS-A 4×2 AT – P1,390,000
• D-Max 3.0 LS-A 4×4 MT – P1,630,000
• D-Max 3.0 LS-A 4×4 AT – P1,700,000

According to Isuzu Philippines, buyers of the 4×4 LS-A variants will enjoy a P200,000 cash discount for the month of September. A good enough reason to pay your Isuzu dealership a visit soon.