Picture Key
1. Driver’s seat is electrically-adjustable 2. V-Cross models get leather interior trim 3. Touchscreen dominates dashboard
4. Tap gearshift to right to switch from automatic to manual
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Service intervals are set at two years/12,000 miles, whichever comes first. While the mileage interval may seem a little short, that is no bad thing if the truck is being used extensively off- road, as damage which might otherwise remain undetected should be picked up and rectified.
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is having to take a deep breath before pouring on the power required. Put the engine under pressure and it can sound noisy and stressed. Show the truck an incline and you immediately drop down a gear, especially if you are heavily laden, and your momentum slows. What we are saying here is that D-Max needs more power, especially if it is operating in hilly terrain and is being asked to haul a heavy trailer. While we readily concede that what is on offer at present will satisfy many businesses, Isuzu really needs to introduce a 200hp-or-thereabouts diesel as an option if it wants to stay abreast of the competition. If it does so, then more operators will be able to take advantage of the truck’s undoubted virtues. Unfortunately, there are no plans to provide D-Max with more beef.
Solidly constructed, it handles well, with none of the lurching and swaying into bends that might be expected from such a big truck. We were able to corner with confidence.
It rides well too even when lightly
laden. If they have no weight in the back then many 4x4 pick-ups tend to hop about all over the place.
@whatvan
Grab handles on the A- and B-pillars give the cab’s occupants something to hang onto when the truck ventures off-road, and a lack of top-end power did not impede its non-stop progress through the mud.
Our demonstrator happily sloshed up and down squelchy slopes and trundled up and down heavily rutted rural tracks, casually shrugging off any and all obstacles it encountered. It crossed and recrossed streams brimming with icy
The Final Verdict Design
Cabin Ride Refinement Load area Handling/performance Engine/transmission Standard equipment Operating costs
water without hesitating, and willingly came back for more.
Just as well that there is plenty of underbody protection, including a steel guard for the engine sump, transmission and transfer case.
Operating We’re pleased to see that a full-size spare wheel is provided, and the jack and tools can be found behind the rear seatback, which folds forward.
Long-lasting LEDs are used in the headlights, daytime running lights, front foglamps, and rear lights. An exemplary five-year/125,000- mile warranty protects D-Max, with a five-year UK and European roadside assistance package included for the duration. A 12-year anti-corrosion perforation warranty is present too. You don’t buy a 4x4 double-cab pick-up if fuel economy is your top priority, although the presence of Stop & Start helps ensure that the damage to your wallet in this case isn’t as bad as it might otherwise be. We achieved an average of 28mpg, a bit below the claimed WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) combined figure of 30.7mpg.
9/10 8/10 8/10 7/10 8/10 6/10 8/10 10/10 7/10
Well-put-together working tool which puts safety first. Pleasant if slightly gloomy, well-equipped and with no shortage of storage Surprisingly good no matter whether D-Max is laden or unladen Well-put-together with no squeaks or rattles, but noise sometimes an issue Does exactly what it says on the tin Former is exemplary, latter is lacklustre because the truck needs more power Horsepowerlacking, but four-wheel-drive easy to engage Isuzu deserves high praise for building in so many safety devices Decent warranty, but short service intervals and high fuel usage
What Van? subjective rating 8/10 Handy workhorse with lots of kit and a more than competent off-road performer. Overall Rating 79/100
January 2024 WhatVan?
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