Isuzu D-Max V-Cross reviewed by a forester

THE Isuzu D-Max tested came with the automatic gearbox option and was fitted with the standard 1.9-litre, four-cylinder, 164 bhp/360 Nm engine. It is the refreshed 2023 version in V-Cross top-of-the-range guise.

I tested the D-Max in the past, both with manual and automatic gearboxes, and each has its merits. The last auto, I recall, was rather noisy and I was not too impressed with that aspect, so I was not really looking forward to testing the vehicle again, even if slightly refreshed. Since then we have had the new Ford Ranger 2L and VW Amarok V6 on test for comparison. However, my initial impressions were rather good as the D-Max felt nippy and good to drive.

The V-Cross model is priced at £35,499 plus VAT for the manual and £36,999 plus VAT for the auto version as tested here (the VAT can be reclaimed if appropriate). Standard features include double cab, 4WD, dark-grey exterior styling, gunmetal side steps, new 18” alloy wheels, black chrome, new leather upholstery, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, 9” multifunction colour touchscreen, Apple card play and Android auto, eight speakers, front and rear parking sensors, reversing camera (my favourite piece of modern technology), rear differential lock and advanced driver-assist systems. There is a choice of eight colours and the normal Isuzu benefits including five-year/125,000-mile warranty, 3.5-tonne towing capacity, over one-tonne payload (1,120 kg), five-year UK and EU roadside assistance, 12-year anti-corrosion warranty, VAT back qualified and no speed restrictions.

Rear view – neat design and rear door spring loaded to aid lifting. (Image: FJ/EW)

Other useful features include automatic headlights, auto headlight levelling, auto windscreen wipers with rain sensor, heated rear screen, folding and heated door mirrors, tailgate damper, locking wheel nuts, full-size spare wheel, flat folding rear seats, 60/40 folding seat base, under-seat base storage, leather steering wheel, driver’s foot rest, CD player (a rare sight these days), sunglasses holder and overhead console, map lights, auto-dimming rearview mirror, height- and reach-adjustable steering wheel, low-ratio gearbox, 4WD shift on the fly, adaptive cruise control, speed-sensitive power steering, traction control, hill-start assist and hill-descent control, alarm with dead lock, air bags, ISOFIX child seat anchors and rear door child locks, and start-stop system.

The D-Max is not as bloated as the Ford Ranger and is a neat design both externally and internally. The dashboard works well but is obviously not as modern looking as the Ranger’s. The D-Max drives well, has good brakes and handles nicely. It is made to be a tough and reliable workhorse and most folk who have one seem to really like them. They have a reputation for reliability and the 1.9-litre diesel engine is fairly economical, returning 33 mpg in my hands. The engine is noisy but quickly quietens down once cruising speeds are reached.

Isuzu sold 6,315 of its D-Max models in 2023 and hopes to reach 10,000 units sold in 2025. The range includes three cab types: single cab (10 per cent of sales), extended cab (10 per cent) and double cab (80 per cent). The 2023 upgrades just had a restyled front grille, refreshed cloth and leather seat design and new wheels.

Well-designed interior. (Image: FJ/EW)

Interestingly, sales are split evenly between auto and manual gearboxes. Three ranges are available – Business, All-Purpose and Adventure – with four trim levels – Utility, DL20, DL40 and V-Cross top of the range. 

The Business range features utility trim with a choice of 2WD and 4WD in the three cab types. A rear diff lock is an option. The All-Purpose range consists of the Dl20 and DL40, with DL signifying the rear diff becomes a standard feature and the 20 and 40 demonstrating the model hierarchy. The auto gearbox becomes an option. The DL20 features heated front seats, rear parking sensors etc, and the DL40 adds a variety of enhancements such as bi-led headlights, reversing camera etc. The V-Cross comes with all the bells and whistles as noted above.

1.9l diesel engine – a bit noisy but economical. (Image: FJ/EW)

On all models the rear bumper has a useful integrated rear step which makes it easier to access the load area. The rear lights are a nice piece of design, too. Wheels are all 18”, apart from Utility which gets steel 16” ones. All 4WD models come with trailer sway control using sensors to detect the onset of trailer swing and reducing vehicle speed if sway is identified. The 4WD system comes with 2H, 4H and 4Low gearbox positions with shift on the fly (an old Jeep term). 

The rear diff lock will only engage when 4L is selected and the speed is less than 5 mph. It is activated by pressing the button by the gear lever. This locks the rear wheels so that both wheels on the rear axle turn at the same speed. ABS, ESC, traction control, hill-start assist and hill-descent control do not work when the diff lock is activated. The diff lock provides more traction than a limited-slip differential, according to Isuzu. The diff lock also automatically disengages when speed reaches 19 mph. Underbody protection includes 1.5 mm steel skid plate, 1 mm steel guard for engine sump and transfer case, and 5 mm reinforced resin underbody air deflector.

Single cabs get rear drum brakes while extended and double get discs. Fronts are all discs. The 14-litre AdBlue tank is located underneath the body in front of the fuel tank which holds 76 litres. To open the fuel filler cap you have to pull a switch below the steering wheel, which seems a bit old school. The single cabs have 220 mm ground clearance and the rest a useful 240 mm. Rear suspension is by means of leaf springs. The D-Max felt nippy at lower speeds, accelerating to 60 mph in 12.7 seconds, with a top speed of 112 mph. 

A well-designed pickup. (Image: FJ/EW)

The single cabs are 5,310 mm long with a load bay of 2,330 mm. The extended cab is 5,270 mm long with a load bay 1,805 mm long, and the double cab also 5,270 mm long with a bay 1,495 mm long. Widths and depths vary too. Tyres are either 205R16C or 265/60R18. Kerb weights vary from 1,795 kg up to 2,010 kg for the V-Cross tested here.

Finally, prices, including VAT, span from £29,923 for the 2WD single cab to £32,323 for the 4WD version, £34,243 for the base double-cab 4WD, £38,803 for DL20 double cab, £42,523 for DL40 auto and finally, for the V-Cross auto tested here, £44,323. So, excluding VAT, prices start off at £24,999 up to £36999 and the popular DL20 4WD auto would be £32,399 plus VAT.

The D-Max seems good value and I enjoyed my week with it, which was a surprise. It is a good pickup, has plenty of fans and is a good alternative to the Toyotas and Fords out there. Isuzu is developing an electric version too. Enjoy.