WHAT IS IT?
The D-Max V-Cross is the flagship of the bargain Isuzu pick-up range, distinguished by it ‘Gun Metal’ exterior styling on the radiator grille, side steps, door mirrors, door handles and 18″ alloy wheels.
D-Max prices start at just over £25,000, but are pick-ups a dying breed? If you look elsewhere, Mitsubishi is bailing out – not just from pick-ups, but from the UK – while Volkswagen and Mercedes have stood back.
There is still a good choice although with Ford and Toyota dominating although none can really compete with Isuzu on price. Even this top spec V-Cross is priced at a very reasonable £32,349.
Isuzu has been jogging quietly along in this sector for a few years now with sales of around 5,000 pick-ups although it does have aspirations for up to 10,000 sales by the middle of the decade.
Fleet sales have increased by 50% in the past five years and this change can be seen in both cab type and range sales mix: Single cabs are only available in the base level Utility trim level and extended cabs on both the Utility.
The V-Cross is aimed at adding a lifestyle aspect to the range, but it in doing so Isuzu has been careful not to let any practicality fly out of the window.
The D-Max comes in single and double cab variants and it’s powered by a 1.9-litre turbodiesel, a little rough around the edges but this is a commercial vehicle after all and it does the job very effectively. It has the ability to tow 3.5 tonnes and the vehicle is also backed by Isuzu’s 125,000 mile/5 Year warranty.
The model range runs from the entry Business through All-Purpose to Adventure. Business has Utility trim, offered in 4×2 or 4×4 and in three different cab types – single, extended and double cab.
The All-Purpose range introduces body-coloured front and rear bumpers, silver door handles, a grey grille and 18-inch alloy wheels for a more upmarket look. The V-Cross is the top of the Adventure range.
Isuzu UK is well versed in pick-ups so it is best placed to discuss pick-ups with professionals. Dealer staff follow a comprehensive training course to equip them with information that is relevant for commercial vehicle operators including product, finance and legislation.
This ensures they provide a customer experience that complies with the highest industry standards and aims to meet their customers’ every individual need.
Isuzu Fleet Services have a one-stop-shop approach which means that they can source and fit conversion upgrades on behalf of their customers to ensure the D-Max is equipped with specification that meets individual working environments.
There is a dedicated Isuzu Fleet Team which project manages customer orders from start to finish. The service includes technical consultation which can cover homologation, sourcing suppliers and technical development.
New parts go through a rigorous sign off process with the Business Development Team and are fitted at Isuzu’s specialist Fleet Conversion Centre based in Kent.
A nationwide delivery logistics team can arrange all delivery requirements, whether that’s direct delivery by transporter or a plated key for key delivery service. Plus, everything is covered under Isuzu UK’s public liability and service guarantees.
Isuzu has developed its fleet offering over the past eight and its pick-ups have been available on the National Farmers’
Union (NFU) affinity programme since 2015 and it also partners with The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC)
WHAT DO WE THINK?
In a word – Capable. This top spec V-Cross model is well equipped and very capable off road although there are more refined pick-ups when it comes to road manners.
It trundles along very well with a bit of rock and roll on the uneven surfaces and you have to be somewhat circumspect when it comes to cornering.
The four-cylinder diesel is a bit industrial but that’s all part of the fun in running a pick-up. There’s a very usable 164hp and 266lb ft of low-down torque so a reasonable 0-62mph time of 12.7 seconds and a top speed of 112mph.
We achieved the mid-30s to the diesel gallon but that CO2 figure of 241g/km means the VED in the first year will be £1,910 and £155 a year thereafter.
Our test model came with four-wheel drive and auto gearbox along with a new diff-lock which is activated by pressing a button by the gear lever, it locks the rear differential allowing the left and right wheels on the rear axle turn at the same speed to et you out of the sticky stuff.
Suspension is new but remains a leaf spring setup at the rear, hence the bouncy feel on dodgy roads.
The premium interior of the V Cross is practical and fuss-free with entertainment provided by a 9″ multifunction colour touchscreen with a CD player and eight speakers, there is also an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and automatic headlight levelling, and the smart leather interior is complemented with V-Cross branded carpet mats.
There’s a good amount of storage in the cab with two gloveboxes and an extra compartment in the top of the dash and plenty to hang on to with no fewer than eight grab handles. There’s plenty of space as well for both front and rear-seat passengers.
Behind the cab is a stonking great cargo bed for those using the V-Cross for business. Fleets will also note that the D-Max gets a five-star Euro NCAP rating thanks to standard active safety systems such as lane departure warning and prevention, traffic sign recognition and an intelligent speed limiter. There’s also an Autonomous Emergency Braking system.
ISUZU D-MAX V-CROSS
P11D Value: £32,349
Engine: 1.9-Litre turbodiesel
Max power: 164hp
Max torque: 360Nm
Maximum Speed: 112mph
Acceleration (0-62mph): 13 secs
Fuel consumption (combined): 30.7mpg
CO2 emissions: 241g/km
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