Isuzu D-Max V-Cross
Can the stylish new D-Max V-Cross change the way we look at pickups?
IIF THERE IS ONE manufacturer that can get a lifestyle pickup truck to sell in the country, it is Isuzu (okay, Toyota too with the Hilux, but they’re too busy meeting the evergreen demand for the Innova). Pickups are at the very core of Isuzu’s products in the Asian region and it’s impossible to miss the D-Max and its multiple variants (including the SUV) anywhere you travel in South East Asia – they’re either loaded to the gills with farm produce; or slammed, decked with neon lights and burbly exhausts; or raised, running off-road racing suspension, mud tyres and big winches. Isuzu pickups are a onestop solution to everything out there.
In India though, the D-Max that was launched a few years ago could only be registered as a commercial vehicle and that generally meant it was out of the consideration set for the guys who read this magazine. Plus, it was already a generation old when it was launched. Not that it was overshadowed. In fact, the old pickup was easily the pick of its class, and it was just the case of Isuzu being pragmatic, testing out the waters, making sure they built up a solid business case for their dealers before the new products started rolling in from a brand new factory.
The new V-Cross is step two in Isuzu’s India journey, a contemporary pickup that is among their bestsellers. In fact, Isuzu are so confident of it, that they timed its launch with the opening of their new
The V-Cross feels like it has more SUV flowing through its veins
production plant in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh. And now, in a bid to attract the lifestyle customer, you can pick one up at a regular dealership like you would any other SUV, and register it as a private vehicle. The question is, though, would you pick up this pickup (bad joke, sorry) over another SUV?
Pickups in the past have always felt more truck-like than SUV-like. They’ve always had this utilitarian vibe, and never really felt comfortable. Quite frankly, the D-Max V-Cross is just the opposite. Whether it’s the imposing styling on the outside, or the comfortable cabin inside, the V-Cross feels like it has more SUV flowing through its veins than truck. And of course the SUV based on the V-Cross (MU-X) will be coming very soon to replace the ageing MU7.
Under the hood, is a four cylinder 2499cc turbocharged diesel motor that makes 134bhp and 320Nm of torque. While the power figures aren’t spectacular, there’s a considerable amount of torque to keep you motoring with surprising ease. The engine delivers power