Isuzu D-Max Driving, Engines & Performance
The old D-Max was fairly workmanlike to drive on the road, and the current third gen isn't actually that much different. But then it needs to be to excel in other areas. Despite that commercial vehicle feel, the D-Max can actually be driven at passenger car speed limits in the UK thanks to its sub-2,040kg kerb weight. Something that 200-300kg heavier rivals can't match.
Tell me more about drivetrain options.
Right you are. If you want to go really basic there's a two-wheel drive single cab 'Utility' spec. One up from that is still Utility but adds Isuzu's shift-on-the-fly four-wheel drive setup and a rear diff lock. These white or silver workhorses can only be combined with a manual gearbox. The first few gears are short so you'll be working the 'box fairly hard, and there's little feel to the brakes or steering. Still, there's certainly some joy to be found in a proper boggo spec truck.
Anything up from Utility is four-wheel drive with the locking rear diff and available with a six-speed manual or the aforementioned auto gearbox. And yep, even the burly AT35 just gets the standard diesel four-pot engine. All D-Max models are mightily impressive off-road, though, whatever spec you choose. Worth noting that the wading depth was also improved to 800mm for this generation.
So how does it handle on the road?
We'll focus on the best-selling V-Cross trim in double cab form with the auto gearbox here, because that's the one you're most likely to buy if you rarely venture from the tarmac. It's certainly not as refined as a Ford Ranger or even the bulletproof (figuratively speaking) Toyota Hilux, with its rough 'n ready diesel chuntering away and plenty of road and wind noise making its way into the cabin. The power steering is supposedly speed sensitive too but we found it a little heavy in town at times and it's sometimes reluctant to self-centre.
The auto gearbox is fairly smooth if you leave it to do its thing, although changes are still a bit glacial in manual mode. The suspension was also new for this third gen D-Max, but while the leaf spring setup at the rear helps for a minimum payload of 1,090kg, it also means it's a little firm and bouncy on rutted roads.
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