Isuzu D-Max
Third-generation Japanese pick-up looks like a strong contender to the Ford Ranger. We put it to the test
MODEL TESTED: Isuzu D-Max 1.9D V-Cross auto
PRICE: £32,759 (ex. VAT) ENGINE: 1.9-litre 4cyl, 162bhp
ISUZU has sold the D-Max pick-up truck in the UK for nearly 20 years, and the Mk3 arrived at the start of 2021. There is a wide range of variants on offer, and here we’re testing the top-spec V-Cross double-cab auto, which costs £32,759, excluding VAT.
Design & engineering
THE all-new Isuzu D-Max gets a sharper look when compared with its predecessor. Chief among the upgrades is a new “double-fang” grille, which comes with a different finish depending on the spec you go for. On Utility models it’s black plastic, mid-spec versions have silver or chrome treatments, while the top-spec V-Cross tested here has a gunmetal grey finish, with a lower skid plate, wing mirrors, door handles and 18-inch alloys all finished in the same colour. This high-end model also gets LED headlights with smart-looking U-shaped running lights.
Under the skin, the D-Max retains a traditional body-on-frame layout, although Isuzu has made the ladder chassis lighter and 23 per cent stiffer than its predecessor’s. There’s double-wishbone front suspension and a leaf-spring layout at the back that’s designed to cope with heavy payloads. Switchable four-wheel drive allows you to select rear-drive to help boost economy on the road, while high and low-range 4WD, plus a standard rear diff lock, mean the Isuzu should be able to tackle nearly any road conditions put in front of it.
Inside, the D-Max has been given a thorough overhaul with an upmarket look. The top-spec V-Cross has a large nine-inch touchscreen with a row of toggle switches below for the dual-zone climate control, and a rotary selector for the four-wheel-drive system sits below that. There are piano-black trim pieces in places – although these could be prone to scratching if you’re not careful – while leather seats are fitted as standard to this priciest model.
Build quality feels solid, and the extensive kit list includes an eight-speaker stereo, heated seats, electric adjustment for the driver’s seat, front and rear parking sensors, a rear camera and a generous suite of safety and driving-assistance functions.
Driving
ISUZU introduced an all-new
1.9-litre diesel with the previousgeneration D-Max, and this has been carried over to the new model with a few tweaks. However, one thing that hasn’t changed is the engine’s noise: it’s quite rattly at start-up, and under hard acceleration, too.
With 162bhp on tap, the D-Max is 6bhp down on the Ranger, while a torque figure of 360Nm is 60Nm adrift of the Ford’s, too. The Isuzu also makes its maximum power at 3,600rpm, which is pretty high-revving for a diesel, so the motor is more vocal more of the time than the Ranger’s diesel.
The power deficit combined with a slowershifting auto gearbox means the D-Max is behind in the sprint from 0-62mph, with a quoted figure of 13 seconds, compared with the Ranger’s solid 11.4-second time. These aren’t really sporty vehicles, though, and most of the time the Isuzu delivers decent everyday performance. It’s best to let the
auto gearbox do its own thing, and while the sixspeed transmission isn’t quite as quick to react as the Ford’s 10-speed unit, it shifts smoothly, especially when kicking down a ratio or two.
One neat trick that the D-Max has is the ability to quickly shift from two to four-wheel drive on the move. An updated “on-the-fly” shift system means the 4WD set-up engages quickly, so the truck is ready for rougher terrain immediately. Also included is a rear diff lock; this only engages in low-range mode at speeds below 5mph, but means the D-Max can tackle extreme off-road conditions without breaking a sweat. It’s an area where the Ranger also does well, but the Isuzu feels like it has a slight edge.
Practicality
BOTH trucks are evenly matched when it comes to their claimed payload weights and towing capacities, but the D-Max adds a slightly more versatile interior into the mix. For starters, there’s a twin-glovebox set-up, plus you get lidded storage on top of the dash, and pop-out cup-holders at either end of the dashboard. There are more cup-holders on the centre console (making 10 in total) and a central armrest cubby, too.
In the back, there’s good room for passengers and they also get a USB socket and air vents. The seats fold flat, but the 60:40-split bases also flip up to reveal additional hidden storage; with no boot to offer secure cover, this is a clever addition.
Ownership
SAFETY is a real highlight of the new
Isuzu D-Max. It earned a five-star Euro
NCAP safety rating in 2020 –the first pick-up truck to do so under the current regime – and it features a raft of modern safety kit. Isuzu shares Subaru’s EyeSight tech, which incorporates twin cameras in the windscreen, so forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking are included, as are traffic-sign recognition and lane-departure warning.
Go for an auto-equipped D-Max, and adaptive cruise control and lane assist are also added to the specification, although the latter is very sensitive and can sometimes feel like it’s wrenching the wheel out of your hand as you’re driving.
Running costs
SINCE the Isuzu D-Max and Ford
Ranger are classified as light commercial vehicles (LCVs), they pay the same tax.
At the moment, LCVs aren’t taxed based on CO2 emissions, so Benefit-in-Kind tax for lower-rate earners is £700 a year whether you buy a basic truck or a high-spec model. This is where the benefits of a pick-up lie in comparison with a similarly specced SUV, making the truck an attractive proposition.