Isuzu D-Max DL40 Double Cab Auto road test review – room for your work family, too!

Isuzu D-Max DL40 Double Cab Auto road test review: A competent all-rounder, DAVID HOOPER says the latest Isuzu D-Max range is well worth a fresh look.

IF YOU’RE big on value for money, then look no further – this latest Isuzu D-Max certainly ticks both of those boxes – it’s very big, and it’s very good value, with the automatic version I’ve been driving coming in at £35,514 on the road, while the manual version is £1,500 less!
Add to that a five year/125,000 warranty and five years UK and European roadside assistance and you’ve got a compelling proposition for anyone looking for a lifestyle vehicle or business workhorse.
The Isuzu D-Max can tow up to 3.5 tonnes and can carry a payload of 1,120kg – it’s unlikely to get stuck either, thanks to its 4×4 system, which comes complete with high and low range, locking differentials and hill descent control, so not only will it pull a house, it will go just about anywhere you want to take it!
These days, Isuzu only make commercial vehicles, and although the company has been around, in Japan at least, since 1916, they only started importing vehicles into the UK in 1988 when the Isuzu TF made its debut – remember that? Or what about the Rodeo, or the Trooper.
The first D-Max was launched in 2012 and has seen various incarnations before arriving at the vehicle I’ve been testing this week.
Today’s range features three core ranges, Business, All-Purpose and Adventure.
In 2023, the sales mix was pretty evenly split between the Adventure and Business markets, with a 32/30% split, while 38% of buyers used their trucks for both activities. Isuzu is hoping to grow the Adventure sales market this year, while the customer choice of manual or automatic transmission is virtually 50/50.
Last year, the Isuzu D-Max carried off a raft of awards – 4×4 Pick-Up of the Year from 4×4 Magazine, Best All-terrain Workhorse from Fleet News and Best Pick-Up in Business Vans Awards, among others, so I’m not alone in thinking this is a pretty impressive all-rounder.
Clearly this isn’t going to perform like a hot hatch. It can seem a little agricultural at first when you haven’t driven one for a while, but as you settle in, you begin to appreciate its comfort, its raised driving position which is on a par with that of a van, and its distinctive character, which, I have to say, becomes quite endearing.
It’s a big vehicle, but with a good turning circle, big mirrors, a reversing camera and sensors, it’s not difficult to manoeuvre. It comes with plenty of mod cons too, like adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist, which does its job well, but can be a bit snatchy at times!
You even get keyless entry and start, and for those who don’t like their cars in black or white, buyers have a choice of some quite trendy colours – how does Valencia Orange or Biarritz Blue sound? Or Spinel Red Mica?
The interior is very comfortable with the leather-clad seats of the model I drove a match for any luxury saloon – the only difference being you get up to 10 cup holders – six in the front and four in the back, so if you have got a long hot day ahead, there’s plenty of drinks storage. You also get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which isn’t quite as intuitive as some systems, but I did manage to get connected up in a few minutes.
The load area at the back is huge and carry up to a tonne in weight – but you could also use it for sleeping in at a festival – so long as you put something squishy on the floor.
Our test car came with the hard top attached, which has a lift-up rear window, which then allows the sturdy tailgate to be lowered. Once down, it makes a handy bench to sit on! Side windows can also be opened for ventilation.
On the road, the big diesel engine can be a little noisy as things get moving, but once off and running, the big Isuzu travels really nicely, cruising very comfortably and quietly at motorway speeds, while returning an average during my test of 33.7mpg over a distance of 400 plus miles.
I really like the D-Max overall, while it may not be for everyone, it’s a fabulous all-rounder and has something a lot of cars don’t these days, which is character by the bucket load and it’s comfortable for a long drive when the need arises for the next job, or a social event.
And of course, for the business owner/driver, it is still classed as a commercial vehicle, so you can also benefit from all the tax perks that brings.
If you’ve got preconceived ideas of what the Isuzu D-Max range is like, you should have a look at the latest range with fresh eyes and an open mind – I think, like me, you’ll be impressed!

Rating:

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THE VITAL STATISTICS
MODEL: Isuzu D-Max DL40 Double Cab Auto
ENGINE: 1898cc, 164PS four-cylinder diesel engine, driving four wheels through automatic 6-speed gearbox.
PERFORMANCE: Top speed 112 mph. 0-62mph in 12.7 secs.
ECONOMY: City: 25.2mpg.
Country: 31.3mpg.
Combined: 36.2mpg.
Wheel World test average: 33.7mpg
CO2 EMISSIONS: 241g/km.
FUEL TANK: 76 litres.
PRICE: £35,514
WARRANTY: Five year/125,000 warranty
WEBSITE: www.isuzu.co.uk
• All data correct at time of publication.