By Ian Strachan,
Isuzu’s D-Max range of pick-ups has been setting the benchmark for pick-ups over the last couple of years. Now the all-new D-Max has moved the brand on still further and it is now a serious rival to the more established Ford and Mitsubishi ranges.
The latest D-Max has smart new styling, better off-road performance and an impressive range of technology, including plenty of safety aids. Itis aimed not just at the workhorse market, but also at families wanting something practical and different or people with more adventurous lifestyles.
And unlike some other pick-ups, a lot of though has been put into refinement and comfort. The latest D-Max is comfortable as a car, and comes with all the goodies you’d expect on an upmarket saloon.
Imported by the International Motors Group, the Isuzu D-Max DL40 (DL refers to the rear diff-lock which is standard on this model) which I tested has a stylish double cab body, impressive two-tone 18 inch alloys, a huge lined load-space and a high specification. The overall appearance is enhanced by a deep grille and chrome trim.
The award-winning D-Max is powered by a strong, if slightly agricultural, 1.9 litre diesel unit. It sounds tough and is tough – a growling 164 bhp engine with plenty of grunt if you need it for towing or off-roading. The D-Max has a comfortable suspension set-up which sits high, with plenty of ground clearance, enhancing its off-road credentials.
Despite its size, the unladen D-Max with a six-speed automatic gearbox can still return fuel economy figures of almost 31 miles to the gallon in mixed driving, with a top speed where allowed of 112 mph. That might not sound impressive, but this is a big vehicle with four wheel drive.
It handles nicely too. Suspension is quite soft, which means you’ll roll around corners a little, but straight-line handling is comfortable and steering is precise. There’s adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist.
The external appearance of the D-Max may be tough, but inside you get lots of features aimed at driver and passenger comfort, including heated, leather-trimmed sports seats which are electrically adjustable.
There’s plenty of room for five people in this vehicle, with good headroom. The high specification also gives you a seven-inch multi-function touchscreen, rear parking camera with front and rear parking sensors, automatic air conditioning, DAB radio with Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth connection, heated electric door mirrors and all round electric windows – all for £37,434 on the road.
You get all the safety features you’d expect on a car, plus the advantage of a high driving position. You get hill start assist, hill descent control and trailer sway control. It has a towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes and a 1.1 tonne payload
Isuzu pick-ups have been around for a long time, but this is undoubtedly the most refined and car-like to date. It sells in 130 countries worldwide and could easily take sales in the UK from more established competitors.
Public utilities, farmers and construction workers will find this a comfortable working vehicle, but it will also appeal to those who recognise the pick-up as the new cool lifestyle vehicle to be seen in.
