We went off-roading in the new Isuzu D-Max - and this is what we learned - Select Van Leasing
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We went off-roading in the new Isuzu D-Max - and this is what we learned

  • Facelifted new Isuzu D-Max pick-up revealed
  • We took one on an extreme off-road course
  • New ‘Rough Terrain Mode’ a revelation
  • Pick-up of choice for ‘those who work in acres, not hours’

The facelifted Isuzu D-Max has been handed new off-road skills - and we’ve been putting them to the test.

Isuzu says the D-Max is the pick-up of choice for ‘those who work in acres, not hours’.

Farmers are a big target demographic while the Japanese firm also reckons 41% of sales last year were in the ‘Adventure’ market. Hikers and climbers, eat your hearts out.

Now, with the big tax changes for double-cab pick-ups looming (read all about that here - and get your orders in before the April 2025 cut-off) Isuzu has treated the third-gen D-Max to a facelift.

So, what’s new and what has remained the same?

It’s as you were for the trim levels, which run from the workhorse-like ‘Utility’ through ‘DL20’, ‘DL40’, and the range-topping ‘V-Cross’.

Those utility models can be enjoyed with a single cab or extended cab and there’s a choice of 4x2 or 4x4 drivetrains. The DL20 can also be configured with an extended or double cab, while the DL40 and V-Cross are double-cab only. Every 4x4 model comes with a Rear Differential Lock as standard.

And every D-Max, no matter which trim level you go for, is still powered by a 1.9-litre diesel engine with power of 164 PS. It’s a fairly agricultural unit compared with some rivals but there’s a reason for that, which we’ll get to in a minute.

A payload in excess of a tonne is par for the course while 4x4 D-Maxes can tow 3,500 kg braked.

Looks-wise, there’s a tweaked front grille and a new headlight design while the D-Max has also been handed more pronounced air curtains. A taller bonnet gives the D-Max more road presence than before while there’s new tech, too, including an 8-inch colour touchscreen (V-Cross models get a larger 9-inch screen) and 7-inch digital cockpit (on DL40 and V-Cross variants).

The latest D-Max has also been handed new capabilities when it comes to the Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS). Improved front stereo cameras are positioned at the top of the windscreen to monitor the road ahead and unlock skills like intelligent adaptive cruise control and enhanced autonomous emergency braking on EVERY model.

And then there’s the ‘Rough Terrain Mode' (button pictured above, top right) which is again standard-issue on every new D-Max. It’s accessed via a button on the centre console and acts as an extended feature of the Traction Control System, reducing wheel spin while allocating power to the wheels with the most grip.

But does it actually work - and is it as impressive as it sounds? We buckle up and find out.

Off-roading in the new Isuzu D-Max with ‘Rough Terrain Mode’ engaged

I’m at a dedicated off-road course located in south Leicestershire with a seasoned instructor riding shotgun. With winter snow and various seasonal storms having wreaked havoc in recent days, it’s fair to say conditions are boggy. In fact, the tracks we’re about to traverse look like they’re made from melted chocolate.

I’m in a D-Max in V-Cross trim (the black headlining and surround-sound speakers give the grade away) with a six-speed manual gearbox.

As we approach the clart, I use the 4WD ‘shift-on-the-fly’ toggle to go from rear-wheel drive ‘2H’ down to ‘4H’ - which channels drive to all four wheels in a high gear ratio - and then down again to ‘4L’ - which uses a low gear ratio for extra traction. With Rough Terrain Mode engaged, we’re all set.

The D-Max diet

As the aficionados will tell you, weight is a big deal when it comes to off-roading. Step inside the D-Max’s cabin and you’ll find it to be pleasantly functional (all models besides the ‘Utility’ grade get heated seats and DL40 and V-Cross variants enjoy leather upholstery) while perhaps not being as plush as other pick-up rivals. But that’s all done for a reason. The double-cab V-Cross D-Max weighs in at around 1,995 kg with a manual gearbox while a double-cab Ford Ranger Wildtrak tips the scales at around 2,243 kg. By shedding those pounds, Isuzu hopes the D-Max will clamber up anything you point it at.

Start in second and keep an eye on the screen

It might sound counter-intuitive, but we start in second gear, take our feet off the pedals and let the D-Max dip down the first steep rutted track, with Anti-Stall and Hill Descent Control doing all the graft. No need for clutch or brakes. The D-Max’s new touchscreen now gives you real-time information about your off-road angles and - crucially - the precise position of your wheels. As our instructor tells us, when you’re slipping and sliding on dicey terrain, your wheels can end up being a full turn out without you even realising it. If you’re in a rut and you can’t feel it, when you do eventually find grip there’s a risk you’ll jump out of the track and into the nearest tree! So, the new screen info is a useful addition indeed.

A little wiggle goes a long way

We hit a particularly steep hill that looks like a nightmare to ascend. Half way up, the D-Max’s forward progress is halted as the wheels spin in the muck underneath. For a novice like me, it’s tempting to reverse back down in order to get a bigger run-up for a second attempt. But the D-Max’s clever brains and Rough Terrain Mode have other ideas. Patience here is key. Keep the throttle up and the D-Max’s off-road system pinches the brakes, adjusts the throttle, avoids wheel spin and looks for grip. You can literally feel it doing its intricate 4x4 calculations beneath you. Move the steering wheel gently from side to side and the D-Max simply claws its way up, inch by inch. It’s impressive, particularly as we’re on bog-standard road tyres and not off-road knobblies. The D-Max’s modestly-powered 1.9-litre diesel mill (known to be pretty much bulletproof) also comes into its own in these sorts of situations.

Lease the Isuzu D-Max with Select Van Leasing - check out our latest offers here. And watch this space for a full D-Max review.


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Thursday, 06/02/2025