Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Isuzu D-Max pickup - Engines, drive & performance

The Isuzu D-Max has just one engine, which is noisy under acceleration

Carbuyer Rating

3.4 out of 5

Owners Rating
Be the first to review
Engines, drive & performance Rating

3.3 out of 5

Unsurprisingly, the Isuzu D-Max is a diesel-only affair. While other pickups offer a number of engines, there’s just one in the D-Max – a 163bhp 1.9-litre turbodiesel that provides plenty of punch, thanks in part to relatively short gear ratios. The problem, however, is that the short first gear means you have to rev the engine quite hard before changing up, which makes a lot of noise.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Having a short first gear will help when towing but you may find it easier to set off in second gear when not carrying anything. The automatic is better in some regards, even if we found it to be a little slower to react than the new 10-speed auto in the Ford Ranger.

Isuzu D-Max diesel engine

The Isuzu D-Max can get from 0-62mph in 12.7 seconds, which is fairly competitive for a pickup. Specifying the automatic gearbox sees that rise slightly to 13 seconds.

Both automatic and manual gearboxes were new for the facelifted D-Max and both have short ratios, meaning lots of gearchanges are required at low speeds, although the fact the pickup has six gears means it’s reasonably relaxed on the motorway. There’s a low-range gearbox on both the manual and automatic, which improves traction off-road.

For a pumped-up pickup like the Ranger Raptor, it’s worth hunting out an XTR model, which isn’t currently available new. It gets a bold look; black bodywork cladding, extended wheel arches and graphics on the bodywork set it apart from other versions, while a 250mm taller ride height sees it towering over most traffic. The body still feels impressively tied down for a pickup but, despite being upgraded for the XTR, the brakes still feel like they can struggle to stop the two-tonne D-Max sharply. The new green-painted suspension and Pirelli off-road tyres certainly deliver in tough conditions, and effective hill descent control is reassuring when teetering on the edge of a slippery slope.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Top 6 best pickup trucks 2024
Best pickup trucks
Best cars
8 Jan 2024

Top 6 best pickup trucks 2024

Most Popular

Renault 5 review – iconic supermini reinvented as an EV
Renault 5 front quarter
In-depth reviews
7 Oct 2024

Renault 5 review – iconic supermini reinvented as an EV

New Tesla Model 3 Long Range ups the ante with 436-mile range
Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD
News
8 Oct 2024

New Tesla Model 3 Long Range ups the ante with 436-mile range

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
11 Oct 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
26 Mar 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024