The Isuzu D-Max has now become a far more credible pick-up segment contender. Jonathan Crouch looks at the further lightly updated version of this 'RG'-series model.

Ten Second Review

If you thought Isuzu pick-ups were a bit rough and ready, it's probably about time you gave the D-Max a try. Once, this brand was really one reserved for the requirements of pure commercial operators. In this rejuvenated 'RG'-series form though, the D-Max will also suit private buyers looking for an all-terrain utility vehicle that can play the lifestyle card, thanks to now-sharper looks, a smart cabin and solid drive dynamics. But it's still as tough as ever - which is why so many professional choose this Isuzu. In a marketplace full of pretenders, it's that rarest of things: the genuine article.

Background

Isuzu's D-Max is the pick-up truck you choose for value and tough build. The current RG-series design (co-designed with Mazda) has been around in the UK since 2021 (two years after it went on sale in other markets) and was treated to a light update in 2023, before getting the further update in early 2025 that we're going to look at here. These updates are timely because they arrive just as UK pick-ups start to be taxed as cars - a devastating blow for this segment. Isuzu's been doing well here, selling over 6,600 D-Max models here in 2024 (its most successful year ever). And the brand says that it expects to be less affected by the change of tax rules than brands who sell more lifestyle-orientated pick-ups. But just to make sure, there's this updated D-Max to keep this contender current. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experience

None of the key mechanicals have changed as part of this upate, so as before, there's Isuzu's now-familiar four cylinder 1.9-litre turbo diesel powerplant, offering 164PS and available with either manual or auto transmission. This is a smaller capacity engine than you'll find with direct rivals and its 360Nm torque output is lower too, though a 3.5-tonne towing capacity is retained. This relatively light powertrain though, enables the kerb weight of this Isuzu to dip below the government's 2,040kg weight limit that separates Goods Vehicles from passenger cars so, unlike other pick-ups in the segment, this one can be driven at passenger car speed limits. The key driveability change as part of this update is the addition (above base trim) of a new 'Rough Terrain' drive mode. This works in conjunction with the traction control system and senses when a wheel doesn't have enough grip and is spinning faster than it should be when you're off road. The systemn then applies the brakes and throttle as necessary to get you moving. You're supposed to engage it before you get into a muddy situation - say at the base of a steep slippery hill. Progress through really gnarly stuff is aided by decent suspension articulation and the lockable rear differential you get on most models. Ground clearance is rated at 235mm and the fording depth at 800mm. As before, the 4WD system has capable low ratio gearing, an effective hill descent control system and a display showing what angle you're at. You can switch between two and four wheel drive on the move too, via a provided rotary dial. Ground clearance is rated at 235mm and the fording depth at 800mm. As for on-tarmac journeying, well the D-Max is better than it used to be in terms of cruising refinement, but it still lags behind rivals and is hardly car-like. No contender in this class can properly replicate the car-like drive dynamics of an SUV and in this one, there remains plenty of body roll at speed through tighter turns as you slide around on the flat-bottomed seats. But on the plus side, there's not too much back end floatiness when the load bay is empty and with a bit of weight in the back, it's possible at times to forget you're in a pick-up - until you lurch into a corner or clump over a speed hump.

Design and Build

Not too much has changed with the look of this 'RG'-series model as part of this second facelift - though you do get a restyled bonnet, a revised front bumper, smarter lights and updated alloy wheels. Plus the top mainstream version now gets 'V-Cross' in big letters across its tailgate. At the rear as before, there are vertical tail light clusters and an integrated step is built into the bumper. Under the skin, nothing's changed of course. The chassis structure does what it can to shed weight thanks to a prop shaft fashioned from aluminium and high tensile steel plates. Inside, where from mid-level trim upwards, there's now a 7-inch instrument cluster with digital gauges, the first thing that D-Max regulars will notice is that the previous clunky central infotainment screen has been upgraded, though its usability still isn't what you'd get from mainstream rivals. It does now offer wireless 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring though and is offered in either 8.0-inch or 9.0-inch sizes, depending on the trim level you select. There's voice control too, you get some nice 4x4 graphics and it's easy to turn off the bothersome ADAS systems, once you get familiar with the screen menus. Otherwise, everything's much as it was, with plenty of wipe-clean surfaces and hard plastics; this remains very much a working pick-up. What's it like for rear passengers in this Double Cab model? Well once inside, there's slightly more passenger comfort than is provided by some rival models, thanks to an increase in wheelbase length for this generation model, all of which has been used to the benefit of rear-seated folk. There's also decent room for head and shoulders. And you'll appreciate the way that the seat back angle has been slightly set to make the backrest less vertically inclined, which gives noticeably greater comfort on longer journeys.

Market and Model

Isuzu divides the D-Max line-up into a couple of parts. First, priced from around £27,500 ex-VAT there's the 'Business Range', with a single base 'Utility' trim level and the choice of single cab, extended cab and double cab bodyshapes. Most sales though, are made from the 'All-Purpose Range', priced from around £33,000 ex-VAT; which offers either 'DL20' trim (in extended and double cab forms) and two double cab variants, the mid-level 'DL40' (from around £36,500 ex-VAT) and the plush 'V-Cross' (from around £38,000 ex-VAT). As before, at the top of the range there's an Arctic Trucks AT35 model, costing from around £52,500 ex-VAT. All models get auto headlamps, air conditioning, cruise control, Bluetooth, a six-way adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support, a reversing camera and an 8-inch central infotainment screen with wireless 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring. The 'DL20' variant adds Isuzu's 'Rough Terrain' drive mode, a rear differential lock and extra drive assist systems. If you can stretch to 'DL40'-spec, you can expect to find a 7-inch driver information display, Bi-LED headlights, leather upholstery, dual zone climate control and all-round parking sensors. At the top of the range, the top 'V-Cross' variant gets Gunmetal painted 18-inch alloy wheels, an auto-dimming rear view mirror and a larger 9-inch central infotainment touchscreen, your access point to an 8-speaker audio system. Above 'Utility' spec, the safety tally runs to a comprehensive 'ADAS' package that includes Autonomous Emergency Braking, Traffic Sign Recognition, Intelligent Speed Limiter and Lane Departure Warning & Prevention on every model. The D-Max is the only pickup in the UK to have a rear radar fitted as standard on all double cab variants and this enables even more ADAS functionality. All double cabs have three additional ADAS systems: Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Monitor and - for the first time in the pickup segment - Emergency Lane Keeping.

Practicalities and Costs

The load area remains practical with this third generation D-Max. It remains 1,530mm in width, 1,490mm in depth and 1,495mm in length (so still one of the shorter cargo bays in the segment). Payload is just over a tonne, as is typical in this segment. There are four tie-down points to stop loads from moving around, which is just as well as this vehicle doesn't offer a ladder rack behind the cab to protect the driver if all else fails and something really heavy slides forward. The good news is that Isuzu continues to offer one of the best warranties in the pick-up segment - a five year / 125,000 mile guarantee. Plus there's three years of roadside recovery and assistance, a three-year paint warranty and six years of anti-corrosion cover. And efficiency? Well for the DL20 version in 4x4 Double Cab form, the combined cycle fuel figure is 33.6mpg and the CO2 reading is 220g/km. And the diesel engine cuts NOx with use of the AdBlue additive. What else? Residual values suggest that after 3 years and 60,000 miles of use, your D-Max would still be worth around 40% of what you originally paid for it.

Summary

You'll probably have preconceptions about the Isuzu D-Max. Possibly positive ones if you're a farmer or commercial user who needs something tough, rough and ready and have tried a D-Max in the past. By and large though, previous versions of this Isuzu have never had the polish - primarily in ritzy looks, cabin design and tarmac drive quality - to appeal to the broadest spectrum of the pick-up market. But this rejuvenated 'RG'-series D-Max just might. It's now got a bit more pavement presence and though the interior and the paved surface drive dynamics still aren't quite on a par with its Ford Ranger or Toyota Hilux arch-rivals, the gap in these two areas has now closed a little. To the point where you might really want this Isuzu, because it now has attributes its rivals simply can't match - like the ability to drive at car speed limits rather than van ones. This D-Max is also better off road than a Ranger and can ford deeper water than a Hilux. It's not quite as cheap as the other segment contender, KGM's Musso, but it's a much higher quality product that'll save you plenty over the prices Ford and Toyota want to charge.