Isuzu D-Max | Review

Isuzu has risen from plucky underdog to serious contender in the UK pick-up market, with its D-Max outsold by only the Ford Ranger last year.

The current model, which launched in 2021 and was facelifted for 2025, has proven itself a reliable workhorse and good value for money.

In its most recent update, the D-Max gains some new safety technology, enhancements to its on- and off-road driving characteristics and visual upgrades.

Under the skin, the D-Max is powered by a 1.9-litre diesel engine with 164PS and 360Nm. It can be paired with a manual or automatic transmission and all but the entry-level model have all-wheel-drive.

The D-Max is split into two families: Business Range and All-Purpose Range. Business models come in a stripped-back Utility trim level with steel wheels, vinyl flooring and unpainted bumpers. They are offered in single, extended and double cab bodystyles.

The All-Purpose Range comes in extended or double cab with DL20, DL40 and V-Cross trim levels. These come with carpeted interiors and alloy wheels, along with a host of luxurious features.

In any guise, the D-Max is built for a working environment. All variants have impressive towing capability and have a payload of at least one tonne.

A full suite of safety equipment comes as standard, too. There’s blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control and rear cross traffic alert.

Passive safety is also high on the agenda and the new D-Max benefits from additional strengthening to its chassis along with additional airbags. As such, the pick-up achieved a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.

While the D-Max is a working vehicle at heart, Isuzu has recognised the need to enhanced driving dynamics. As such, changes have been made to the truck’s suspension to reduce body roll and increase stability. New cab mounts also reduce NVH levels on board, for a quieter and smoother ride.

The driving experience is sharper than before, making the truck more at home on the road, although the ride is still quite bouncy when the truck isn’t carrying much weight.

Light controls give a sense of nimbleness and also help with manoeuvrability. This extends to the manual transmission, which is more car-like than some of the more agricultural units used in other models.

With only one powertrain option, the D-Max does have a disadvantage when compared to some rivals. While the 1.9-litre unit is eager enough to get the job done, it doesn’t feel as strong as the more powerful engines used by Ford and Toyota. You’re also quite aware of its presence when it’s being worked hard, which is required more often than not.

During our test, the D-Max was averaging 30mpg, so the smaller engine does pay dividend when it comes to efficiency. CO2 emissions are still quite high, at 220 – 235g/km.

Head off-road and the D-Max becomes even more impressive. Its new Rough Terrain Mode ensures power is sent to the wheels with the most grip in order to maintain traction. On a wet muddy field, or an unpaved road with a loose surface, the D-Max remains planted.

The all-wheel-drive system can be engaged ‘on-the-fly’ and includes high and low ratio modes along with a rear diff lock.

On more challenging obstacles, the D-Max remained unflustered and took everything in its stride.

Payloads range from 1,085Kg up to 1,205Kg, while all versions with four-wheel-drive have a 3.5-tonne towing capacity.

Load bed dimensions:

• Utility cab: 2,290mm (L) x 1,530mm (W) x 495mm (H)
• Extended cab: 1,785mm (L) x 1,530mm (W) x 500mm (H)
• Double cab: 1,520mm (L) x 1,530mm (W) x 500mm (H)

Pricing starts at £27,495 (CV OTR), for the Single Cab with two-wheel-drive. Adding four-wheel-drive takes the price to £29,995. The All-Purpose Range starts at £32,995, rising to £39,995 for the range-topping V-Max.

There are plenty of creature comforts, including an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, a reversing camera and air conditioning on the base Utility model.

The DL20 gets body-coloured bumpers, parking sensors and heated seats, while DL40 has leather upholstery, keyless entry and LED headlights.

With a strong specification, refined driving experience and low running costs, the D-Max continues to be a viable alternative to the best-selling Ford Ranger. Isuzu offers a strong five-year warranty and has a large dealer network for aftersales support. While the latest updates to the D-Max are only minor, they reinforce this pick-up’s mission focus in a likeable package.