Isuzu D-Max review

Prices start from just over £27,000, but with the Arctic Trucks variant an official part of the range and available through Isuzu dealers, the D-Max now tops out at over £50,000. Yikes. Although then you realise the Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster starts at £66,240.

The model range is structured into three segments: Business, All-Purpose and Adventure. Within Business you’ll find the Utility trim, offered in a choice of 4x2 or 4x4 and in three different cab types: single, extended and double cab. Features include vinyl flooring and cool-as-ever steel wheels, plus hard-wearing black bumpers, door mirrors and door handles. The workhorse, in other words. Post 2023 facelift you do now get a touchscreen infotainment system in there though, plus a reversing camera, a ‘rough terrain mode’ on four-wheel drive versions and upgraded driver assist systems. Prices start at £27,505.

The All-Purpose range previously consisted of just the DL20 and DL40 versions, with ‘DL’ signifying that the rear diff-lock comes as standard, and the ‘20’ and ‘40’ demonstrating the model hierarchy. Now though, the V-Cross has also shifted into here, with ‘Adventure’ presumably being saved for the AT35.

The DL20 starts at £33,005 and can be had in extended cab or double cab forms, with the former featuring fold down seats that can either accommodate passengers or offer additional indoor storage. The double cab adds proper rear seats with ISOFIX points, but gets a smaller load bed as a result. The DL20 trim adds 18in alloy wheels, body-coloured front and rear bumpers, heated front seats, slightly more fancy cloth trim and a couple of extra speakers.

The £36,505 DL40 is double cab only and gets LED lights, a chrome grille, silver side steps and two-tone wheels. Because two tones are better than one, apparently. You also get keyless entry, leather upholstery, and USB-C ports in the front and rear.

As previously mentioned, the best seller is apparently the V-Cross, which gets dark grey 18in alloy wheels and the same colour trim on the grille, mirrors and door handles. There’s also that larger infotainment screen, even more speakers to improve the audio experience (or to drown out the engine noise) and a choice of eight different exterior colours. Prices start at £38,005.

The Arctic Trucks AT35 kicks off at £52,505 and is a pretty specialist bit of kit. With its fancy Bilstein suspension it gets a 35-degree approach angle, 34-degree breakover angle and 22-degree ramp angle. There are also huge all terrain tyres, with guides for the correct pressures built into the massive wheelarches. Very cool.

Which should you choose? Depends what you’re planning on using it for. Commercial buyers needn’t look further than the rough-and-ready Utility trim, which will be more than a match for everyday working life. Families? If your budget can stretch that far you’ll appreciate the extra luxuries offered in the V-Cross, that is if you’re considering a pickup to replace that aging small crossover. Looking to climb a mountain or reach the North Pole? You’ll be wanting the Arctic Trucks treatment.

It's probably also worth noting here that the D-Max secured an impressive five-star Euro NCAP rating. That’s thanks to the standard active safety systems like lane departure warning and prevention, traffic sign recognition and an intelligent speed limiter. There’s also an Autonomous Emergency Braking system that Isuzu helpfully demonstrated to us with the help of a polystyrene cut out. All of this helps sell the D-Max to fleet buyers, who should save on insurance claims with fewer accidents.

Break something in the rough stuff and you’ll be covered by Isuzu’s 125,000 mile/five-year warranty.