Review | First drive
Isuzu D-Max S
On Sale: January 2025 Key Rival: Ford Ranger Wildtrak
ales of double-cab 4x4 pick-ups look set to be affected by a tax change coming into effect in April 2025, which sees them reclassified as cars for employee benefit-in-kind (bik) tax purposes. So gone are the days when crafty sales managers could run well-specified double-cabs rather than SUVs and save themselves some cash. Tose days had probably pretty much vanished anyway given the bik advantages of switching to an electric car rather than running a diesel or petrol model. Isuzu is one of the 4x4 pick-up
manufacturers least likely to be affected by this bik change given that its customers tend to buy its products as working tools rather than as a tax dodge. Not that this means that its trucks are spartan – the top- of-the range V-Cross double-cab has all the goodies (leather interior trim, a heated and electrically-adjustable driver’s seat, dual- zone climate control etc etc) that buyers are likely to require, and then some.
All manufacturers of double-cab
pick-ups will be hit by another change, however. Teir products are also being reclassified as cars from April 2025 for capital allowance purposes. Neither of these measures affect single- or extended-cab models. Isuzu has just revamped D-Max with
exterior styling changes, including a new front grille and bonnet, a redesigned tailgate and restyled 18in alloy wheels. Worthy of note too are the new infotainment system with either an 8in or 9in colour touchscreen and the updated instrument panel. Definitely worthy of note is the new
rough-terrain off-road driving mode. Derived from D-Max’s traction control
system, it helps to reduce wheelspin and allocates power to the wheels with the most grip. Tis is achieved by fine-tuning the throttle and rapidly applying the brakes to each spinning wheel. It can work in conjunction with the
differential lock (a rear differential lock is standard on all 4x4 models) in extreme conditions. The Advanced Driver Assistance
System (ADAS) has been enhanced with a new intelligent adaptive cruise control and new traffic sign recognition functions. Extra airbags have been fitted, and D-Max has won a Euro NCAP five- star safety rating. What has not changed is the engine. Te 164hp 1.9-litre diesel is the only choice, and a more-powerful alternative is clearly
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