Isuzu D-Max maintains reputation of reliability
● LSE 4x4 proves once again South Africans build bladdy good bakkies
Unemployment remains skyhigh, load-shedding has become a daily reality and the rand has slumped to early pandemic levels.
Things are pretty bleak in SA at the moment but we are a resilient bunch — and we build bladdy good bakkies.
The Isuzu D-Max LSE 4x4 is one such example, with its emphatic styling, high torque-defined ride and build quality that inspires confidence in the brand’s “with you for the long run” tagline.
The letters LSE are often used to refer to “load serving entity ”— a company or entity that supplies electrical power to end users — a bit of a touchy subject in SA at the moment.
But in Isuzu’s case the acronym provides a lot more peace of mind, conjuring up the D-Max’s light consumption, sleek styling and exceptional build quality.
Time to Torque enjoyed a week behind the leather clad wheel of the 3l turbodiesel which pushes out 140kW and 450Nm, slotting in below the range-topping V-Cross derivative that comes with additional driver assists.
In town and along the winding back roads around Gqeberha, the LSE’s six-speed automatic transmission effortlessly found the right ratios, making the vehicle feel light and agile, the turbo whistle complementing the deep drone of diesel power.
Considering that fuel consumption at the end of the weeklong test averaged at 9.4l/100km — dipping slightly lower on the freeway — light is an apt description considering the D-Max’s size.
Though the D-Max’s ride might not be the smoothest in its class, its road manners are respectable and the big bakkie makes light work of the potholes and speed bumps which festoon many of our roads.
The torque-heavy two tonner is capable of towing up to 3,500kg and comes with a load bay big enough to hold 995l — which came in handy in transporting a sizeable tree stump during the test — and covered with a lockable roller shutter.
The exterior styling of the D-Max has also been updated, with sharp lines and purposeful indentations along the tailgate and sides culminating in a sleek-looking façade with an aggressively styled front end defined by its LED headlights and metallic touches on the grille which extend to the mirrors, tailgate and sports bar over the load bay.
The 18-inch gunmetal alloy wheels wrapped in General
Grabber AT3 tyres add to the appeal.
Some of the cabin features, including the aircon and audio buttons — as well as an actual handbrake — remain appealingly retro.
Though buttons could have been replaced with a twist dial to avoid the clutter on the centre console, the good old-fashioned pull-up handbrake is a nod to the quality of the purpose-built SA vehicle which
over the decades has featured materials and components that feel rugged and built to last.
There are no cheap materials or cost-cutting measures.
As you slide into the all leather electrically adjustable front seats and allow your fingers to wander over the numerous premium soft-touch surfaces from dash to doors, you are able to appreciate the simple and yet modern and refined design of the cabin, highlighted by silver accents.
The usual niceties we have come to expect from modern “lifestyle” bakkies are included, ranging from a nine-inch touch screen infotainment system and two USB ports to dual zone climate control as well as host of safety features — lane keep assist, front and rear cameras and blind-spot detection.
However, the functionality of the touch screen does take some getting used to and one gripe is that the vehicle must be stationary before cellphones are synced to Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto.
In keeping with the transition from agricultural assistant to town traveller, the extended wheelbase — by 30mm — translates to a spacious cabin which proved invaluable during the daily school run as my family of four, their bags and groceries were all handled with ease and space to spare.
Overall, the double cab’s impressive consumption for its size, head-turning design and build quality all make the LSE as a worthy competitor in the fiercely contested SA bakkie market.
It is also a big improvement on its predecessor.
We were not able to do much off-road driving during this test but the D-Max has long enjoyed a reputation as a competent off-roader.
This LSE, unlike in the SA electricity sector, is built to last and willing to take on a load as opposed to shedding it.
The seventh-generation Isuzu is priced at R810,200 and includes a five- year/ 120,000km warranty and fiveyear/ 90,000km service plan.