Isuzu D-Max Review

1.9 diesel

Many modern pick-up truck manufacturers entice a broad selection of customers with a range of engines, typically reserving the highest outputs for those models most likely to complement a lifestyle of boat-towing, jet ski hauling and motorcycle transportation, while less lavish powerplants are paired to those that will genuinely be used on building sites, farms and other places of work.

The Isuzu D-Max, on the other hand, is only offered with one engine. The engine in question is also smaller than its predecessor. Isuzu claims that new gearing ensures the latest model can still tow 3.5-tonnes of unbraked load and carry up to almost two-tonnes in the rear bed.

That's an impressive load-lugging ability when compared to the previously mentioned and more lifestyle-orientated rivals, but there are plenty of compromises as a result.

The 1.9-litre diesel engine is noisy under harsh acceleration and can feel quite clunky when paired with the manual gearbox. The six-speed automatic does improve things but the overall driving experience isn't the most relaxing on the market today.

However, fuel economy is generally good and the claimed 40mpg in the largest Blade model with a manual gearbox is a cut above the 32.5mpg offered by the lowest powered 3.0-litre V6 diesel in manual Volkswagen Amaroks.

Utility, Eiger, Yukon, Utah, Blade, Arctic Trucks AT35

The trim range offered by Isuzu could be viewed as a sliding scale based upon the type of life each model is likely to lead.

Utility models, for example, ditch any luxuries in favour of a hard-working, hard-wearing interior and an array of cab and bed sizes to suit any job.

These models come with LED daytime running lights, 15 or 16-inch steel wheels (with a full-size spare), cloth upholstery, vinyl floor covering, manual air conditioning and electric windows.

Utility really is a basic offering but Bluetooth connectivity and USB points for charging mobile devices are nice touches, while built-in safety systems, such as hill start assist and hill descent control, come into their own when tackling the rougher terrain.

It should come as no surprise that this trim level is also offered in 4x2, 4x4, single cab, extended cab and double cab variants to suit all manner of different use cases.

Eiger remains a hardy truck but throws in some additional specification that will make any impromptu longer journeys more comfortable. These include interior carpets, a CD and six-speaker sound system and a reversing camera.

This trim also begins to look a little more luxurious from the outside, with 16-inch alloy wheels thrown in to the mix, body-coloured bumpers, chrome door handles and a selection of exterior colours that goes beyond the four hues offered in Utility trim.

Yukon starts to feel like a more premium rival throughout, with cruise control, a leather steering wheel and a seven-inch touchscreen entertainment system added.

Outside, the model benefits from stylish 18-inch alloy wheels, silver side steps and front and rear fog lights.

Utah can be seen as the trim level that blends the greatest amount of comfort features, while retaining the big Isuzu's hard-working demeanour.

So, leather upholstery is added, as is DAB radio, Apply CarPlay and Android Auto, rear parking sensors and heated front seats but it still offers the side step-plates and rear bed liner that indicate it's up for transporting an awkward load.

Blade models are by far the most luxurious trucks and feature neat (but largely useless) premium touches, such as illuminated 'puddle lamps' that project the word 'Blade' onto the road surface when parked.

Inside, there are branded mats, leather seats, keyless entry and push button start/stop system, automatic air conditioning and heated front seats.

It's a cool proposition, with contrast stitching making the interior come to life, while the nine-inch multifunction colour touchscreen is the most technically accomplished in the range. However, the touchscreen lags behind rivals in terms of capability and can be very frustrating to use, with menu systems prove to be slow and fiddly to navigate. The DAB radio functionality offers a patchy reception at best.

Blade models can only be specified in Pearl White or Cosmic Black Mica paints but customers are offered the choice of either a colour coded Aeroklas canopy for the rear bed or a black roller cover with rear sports bar to ensure the rear bed isn't left exposed to the elements.

The rear tailgate also boasts a damper function, which means it won't suddenly drop when opened, which makes loading a little easier and safer.

Finally, the Arctic Trucks AT35 model is geared towards serious off-road enthusiasts, so comes with Fox performance series suspension, 35-inch Nokian Rotiiva tyres and a bespoke body kit that flares the wheel arches and generally offers a more aggressive presence.

As Isuzu only has one model for sale in the UK (this one), it doesn’t sell enough cars to be featured in the Auto Express Driver Power survey.

It does however, come with a five year, 125,000 mile warranty. Which is more than the Nissan Navara and Mitsubishi L200, both of which are capped at 100,000 miles. Service intervals are every 12,000 miles or 24 months.

The D-Max doesn't use AdBlue either, which means there's one less thing to worry about.

Despite it not being two years old yet, plenty have found their way onto the second-hand market.

New base-spec Utility models start from £20,409, but pre-registered models start from just £17,795.

Two-year old Yukon models with around 15,000 miles on them start from £16,500, and quite-posh Blade specification trucks can be had from as little as £23,000, as long as you don’t mind them having around 20,000 miles on them.