Isuzu D-Max review

You may not have noticed, but the Isuzu D-Max was facelifted in mid-2023 with a new front grille, new wheel designs and some fresh interior fabrics. Yeah, it wasn't the most comprehensive overhaul. But as the saying goes, if it ain't broke...

The self-proclaimed “pick-up professionals” only offer a single model here in the UK these days, but when this third-gen D-Max arrived on UK shores in 2021, Isuzu told TG that it planned to go more ‘lifestyle'. At that point in time, Mitsubishi had just pulled out of the UK altogether, Volkswagen had discontinued the previous-generation Amarok and Mercedes had stopped X-Class production.

The Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger remained a constant on our shores, and now there are rivals like the new, Ranger-based Amarok, the KGM Musso and the pricey Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster.

Has the D-Max fully stepped away from its workaday image?

Not quite. Isuzu has taken a leap towards ‘lifestyle', but because it only has the D-Max to focus on it's still able to offer the classic ‘Utility' spec complete with steel wheels, black plastic bumpers and halogen headlights. There's more detail over on the Buying tab, but prices for that start at £28,755.

As you walk up the range the D-Max strays further into posh pick-up territory, although the top-spec, £58k+ AT35 version is actually a badass, widebody adventure truck built by the folk over at Arctic Trucks. Presumably that's for the people who consider climbing a mountain before breakfast a ‘lifestyle' activity.

That's the blue one in the pictures above, with the latest evolution having arrived in 2025. Highlights include a roof lightbar, 40mm suspension lift, flared wheelarches, plus 35in BFGoodrich All Terrain tyres. Yeah, it's large.

What's under the skin of the D-Max?

Well, you've still got a properly sturdy ladder frame chassis and leaf spring suspension at the rear. You've also only got one choice of engine – an old school 1.9-litre turbodiesel four pot that can be paired with either a six-speed manual or six-speed auto gearbox. It's loudly and proudly a commercial vehicle powertrain, endowing the D-Max with the ability to tow 3.5 tonnes.

However, there's now also a D-Max EV (pictured above), which gets a 3.5-tonne towing capacity, one-tonne payload and full-time four-wheel drive. It also gets a 66.9kWh battery (66kWh usable) and dual motors for 200bhp and 256 lb ft of torque. Just 163 miles of WLTP range and a limiting 50kW maximum charging speed, though. You can read our full review behind these blue words here.

Any other key figures that I need to know?

Well, all versions of the D-Max also get a payload of over one tonne, even the Arctic Trucks variant with its fancy Bilstein suspension. Oh, and Isuzu still offers a 125,000 mile/five-year warranty across the range.

This latest D-Max retinas the previous generation’s workmanlike abilities whilst also bringing a lot more mass appeal to the range with the posher trims. It’s a fine effort at compromise and still undercuts direct rivals on price.

That said, it’s not perfect; on-road manners are still lacking, and the old diesel engine could certainly be more refined, though there’s now an EV if your situation allows. And while the interior is simple and easy to use, some of the graphics feel like they’ve been transplanted straight from the 2000s. It doesn’t feel quite as high quality as those in the new Hilux, Ranger or Amarok, either. 

But stick with the diesel and you can’t go too far wrong. The EV? Well, the range and charging compromises rule it out for most private buyers, and it remains a very niche option for business folk too. At least until Isuzu builds one on a dedicated platform.