ISUZU D-MAX
250 TD 4x4 X-rider MT
Some bakkies are more bakkie than others and in the Isuzu’s case, that’s not a redundant tautology. From the offset, the D-max, nay KB’S, forte has never been lifestyle-orientated transport but rather a hard-as-nails workhorse that favours ruggedness and durability over comfort.times have changed and with it, the role of the pick-up has moved from farmhand to family conveyance; a transition that’s seen its rivals’ proportions – especially in terms of cabin space and overall road manners – improve markedly.
It has to be said that while the X-rider’s styling addenda has gone some way to ushering it towards the attention of the lifestyle brigade, some D-max peculiarities remain.
This mid eld double-cab’s 2,5-litre 4JK1-TCX turbodiesel has been a part of Isuzu’s powertrain portfolio for many years. Its agricultural soundtrack, long-throw manual gearshift and modest outputs may date it in this company, yet, it is durable and widely trusted by bakkie a cionados. The same can be said of its ladder chassis underpinnings that have traditionally been tooled more towards load-lugging than luxury. Even the latest I-GRIP (Isuzu Gravity Responsive Intelligent Platform) majors in structural rigidity, with enhanced materials and rear cross-bracing that contribute to a 42% improvement in torsional rigidity ... and a ride that often sets the cab quivering on rippled tarmac.
While the D-max will no doubt have its work cut out in the everyday liveability stakes, the Japanese stalwart will be gleefully rubbing its hands at the prospect of the tougher off-road and load-bearing tests our Shootout will present. Its old-school durability could well see it standing strong over its comparatively softer rivals when the dust clears. Given that its successor shares much of its mechanical underpinnings with the BT-50 against which it’s lined up here, it will be interesting to see how well this seasoned campaigner acquits itself.
“UNDERPOWERED, OLD SCHOOL, BUT A SOLID, RELIABLE BAKKIE WITH A PROVEN TRACK RECORD IN SOUTH AFRICA. YOU COULD DO A LOT WORSE.”