Isuzu D-Max drive by Steve Rogers
What a time it has
been for the pick-up market with booming sales and upheaval all at the same
time.
The market has gone
berserk right across Europe and the UK swept along by Yups going nuts for
double cab pick-ups to transport their trendy lifestyle kit. And they are being
pampered with the sort of luxury you get in a premium SUV - leather trim,
heated powered seats, smart phone connections, you name it the trucks have got
it.
At the same time
the UK has seen an exodus with Nissan Navara, Mitsubishi L200, Volkswagen
Amarok gone although the VW will return, may be next year, as a rebadged Ford
Ranger.
These are marketing
decisions driven by tough new emissions regulations with high fines for failing
to meet the target so new pick-up choice is down to Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux,
Isuzu D-Max and SSangYong Musso but there are still plenty of second hand old
favourites out there.
The Ranger might be
the top seller but the star of the pick-up show last year was an all new D-Max.
Isuzu is a niche
outfit concentrating just on pick-ups and replaced the Rodeo with D-Max in 2012.
Then it was still a workhorse for farmers and the trade but the company spotted
the change in trends and old and new is like chalk and cheese.
Meet new D-Max with
an updated chassis, new body style, integrated infotainment, luxury spec and a
suite of safety features that's difficult to beat.
Can a pick-up be
stylish? Probably not, but come on D-Max is a looker and will turn heads.
The Japanese
company might only build pick-ups but there is plenty of choice with three
models, Business, All Purpose and Adventure and four trim levels. Prices range
from £25k to £39K so something for everyone.
The utility
Business model, which can haul 3.5 tonne and carry just over a tonne, is the
main seller but let's jump to the posh Adventure V-Cross where sales are really
taking off. It has everything life stylers crave, leather, powered this and
that, connections for smart phones, heated front seats, keyless entry, reversing
camera and sensors etc etc and an automatic six speed gearbox.
Heating controls
are separate which is good but most other functions are controlled via a nine
inch touchscreen. There is no sat-nav option but that sort of thing can be
patched through from a smartphone.
Even though the rear
leaf spring suspension has been retuned the unladen ride is unruly and bounces
around on rougher roads but let's be fair D-Max is a workhorse so don't
complain about a bit of discomfort. It is easy to expect too much but the new
model is better than before on that score.
The double cab
comfortably seats five and is a pleasing place to be with two dashboard storage
boxes, a handy covered box atop the dashboard and a couple of small hidey holes
under the back seat which lifts leaving a good space for a couple of golf club
bags and such like. Everything is securely screwed together with no trim creaks
or rattles apart from the passenger seat belt buckle that bangs against the
trim when not in use. Irritating but easily sorted.
At the business end
farmers and the trades are well catered for with full 4x4 capability a given so
rear diff lock, hill start and hill descent control and trailer sway control as
standard. The load area is lined with hydraulic arms on the tailgate to stop it
crashing down.
If D-Max has a weak
spot it's the diesel engine. Performance is not too much of an issue even
though rivals are quicker and there should be enough power with a full load but
it is way too noisy and there is no option for a more powerful engine.
Economy is
surprisingly good returning 34mpg over a week's driving, the delivery driver
did even better hitting 37mpg all from the six speed auto box, my only gripe is
that it is a bit slow to respond.
This will be no
easy ride for D-Max but Isuzu has done a fine job of improving and expanding
the range and will rattle the cages of Ford and Toyota.
Fast Facts
Adventure V-Cross
£39,244
1.9litre turbo
diesel; 161bhp
0-62mph 13secs;
112mph
30.7mpg combined
241g/km. VED £275
Towing 3.5 tonnes
Payload1070kg
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