Driven

Isuzu D-Max DL20 Double Cab

Impressive new pickup offers strong appeal for all fleets, says John Kendall

Isuzu launched the D-Max range in spring last year and immediately made an impression on the pickup sector, recording a total of 3,688 registrations in 2021, 17% higher than in 2020. This effectively mirrored the growth in pickup registrations during the year – up 19% on 2020 to 42,488, giving Isuzu a healthy 8.7% of the market. Considering that the new model was on sale for roughly eight to nine months of the year, it was a good start.

Interestingly, the best-selling D-Max model was the range-topping V-Cross automatic, demonstrating the strength of the ‘Lifestyle’ pickup market in the UK. For our test, we opted for the model that is most likely to be chosen by working fleet customers, the 4x4 DL20, available with either an extended cab or double cab. There is a greater choice of ‘working’ models from the entry-level D-Max Utility range, which is available as either a 4x2 or 4x4 with single cab, as well as a 4x4 with extended or double-cab.

Isuzu reckoned on the DL20 as the working model of choice because of its improved specification compared with the Utility model. Additional equipment includes a rear differential lock, alloy instead of steel wheels with locking wheel nuts, front fog lights, rear parking sensors, body-coloured bumpers, electric folding and heated door mirrors, rear USB port for double cab models, heated front seats, front centre armrests, rear centre armrest with cup holders and rear heating ducts.

This spec is in addition to the advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) fitted to all models, which includes cruise control, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, manual and intelligent speed limiter, lane departure warning, automatic headlights and wipers, manual air conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity, DAB radio, hill start assist and hill descent control, and front, side, curtain and driver’s knee airbags.

In other words, all D-Max models are well equipped, and the DL20 gains a few useful comfort and working items. Our test vehicle was also fitted with a load bay liner, which is a good way to stop the paint from being rubbed off the load area and allowing corrosion to creep in.

On the road, the DL20 feels like a traditional pickup with its long travel suspension and body roll. This is accentuated by the low gearing in first gear, designed for laden and off-road work. The 1.9-litre Isuzu diesel produces a very useful 164hp, which would be appreciated by those who take advantage of the 3,500kg towing capacity. This incidentally would mean that a tachograph would be needed. It also means that the DL20 will happily cruise at motorway speeds.

Double cabs provide an inevitable trade-off in the size of the load box, which is 1,495mm long compared with 1,805mm for the extended cab model. It all depends on what you use the vehicle for. The double cab gives away much less when it comes to payload at 1,120kg compared with 1,148kg for the extended cab. It is also worth noting that all manual transmission D-Max models can operate using car speed limits as opposed to the lower LCV speed limits, because the vehicle unladen weight is 2,000kg or less.

IN BRIEF

WHAT IS IT? 4x4 Pickup HOW MUCH? £26,759 (ex-VAT) LOAD VOLUME? 3.3m3 – 3.9m3 PAYLOAD? 1,120kg ECONOMY? 33.6mpg DRIVE? 164hp @ 3,600rpm/360Nm @ 2,000-2,500rpm. 1.9-litre turbo-diesel.

VERDICT

The D-Max DL20 is a well-equipped and competitively priced pickup truck and the dealer network has earned a strong reputation for customer service. The D-Max range offers a broad range of body styles for users.