Isuzu D-Max Utility
By Ian Strachan.
Pick-ups have become a lifestyle choice in recent years – the cool vehicle to be seen in. So it’s nice to be reminded that the pick-up started life as a workhorse – a tool of the trade for builders and farmers.
The Isuzu D-Max Utility is just that – a working vehicle. As its name suggests this pick-up is all about hard work and capability.
In 4×4 double-cab guise it still has smart styling, capable off-road performance and an impressive range of technology, including plenty of safety aids.
Imported by the International Motors Group, the Isuzu D-Max Utility which I tested has a roomy double cab body, workmanlike 18 inch steel wheels, a and a huge lined load-space.
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 manual gearbox can still return fuel economy figures of almost 34 miles to the gallon in mixed driving. 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 cruise control, hill descent control, hill start assist 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 comfortable seats with six-way manual adjustment.
There’s plenty of room for five people in this vehicle, with good headroom. The specification also gives you dual-zone air conditioning, DAB radio with Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth connection, heated electric door mirrors and all round electric windows – all for £25,499 on the road.
You get all the safety features you’d expect on a car, plus the advantage of a high driving position. 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 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 with wide appeal.
