Test drive Isuzi D-Max: Specialist

Test of the newest key player in the pickup segment in our country

There are many reasons to respect Japanese technology. And not only about technology in general or cars in particular, but also about how people in this country approach life. In Empire of the Rising Sun it has always been more important what you are inside than how you look. And when you look at the essence of everything that you encounter along the way, it changes your entire worldview. Therefore, it is not surprising that the genius of Japanese engineering is well respected in the world of automobiles.

Loyal employee

Due to a number of national characteristics, the Japanese can hardly compete with the Europeans in creating spiritual boutique masterpieces on four wheels. Their approach to recreational cars is also very specific and in some cases turns out to be a real hit in the top ten (just take the example of the Nissan GT-R or Mazda MX-5), and in others not so much. However, when it comes to cars designed to do their job in the best possible way, making it as easy as possible for their owner while trying to serve him for as long as possible, it can hardly be argued that the Japanese as a whole are second to none. . Therefore, it is no coincidence that at least half of the literally indestructible pickup trucks on the planet were created there. And this is just one of them in this material.

The Isuzu brand in Europe is more associated with diesel engines, trucks and buses than with the company's vehicles. But in many other parts of the world, this is not the case at all. What's more, for Southeast Asian markets, the Isuzu D-Max is what a VW Golf or Ford, for example, is a Fiesta. Or that it is now Dacia in Bulgaria. In countries like Thailand and Indonesia, for example, the D-Max is actually the most common new car model on the road. After a little more familiarity with the capabilities of this reliable car, you do not need to have a particularly deep knowledge in the field of cars to understand that neither its popularity nor its image is the result of chance. Simply because the D-Max is one of those machines that is consistently good at what it does.

Really good at his field

How you feel about D-Max depends a lot on your approach. Because if you're looking for a luxury American-style pickup truck (a phrase that I personally have always considered a strange oxymoron), you're in the wrong place. Isuzu is a company that specializes in the design and manufacture of reliable, efficient and functional cars at an affordable price, not fun toys.

In its role as a professional, D-Max performs more than brilliantly. With a huge payload of over 1,1 tons, the ability to tow a trailer weighing up to 3,5 tons, a huge payload, the ability to move on a side slope of up to 49 percent, an angle of attack of 30 degrees in front and 22,7 degrees in the rear, this pickup truck is one of the most capable representatives of his category. Although "at the first reading" the characteristics of the drive with a volume of 1,9 liters and a power of 164 hp. sounds pretty modest, in fact the D-Max is surprisingly nimble, the transmission ratios are very well matched, and the traction is much more reliable than the paper torque figures suggest. The presence of a "real", manually shifted dual transmission is sure to be appreciated by anyone who needs a really serious off-road vehicle, and the low gear mode additionally helps in especially difficult situations.

It may sound a bit strange, but the D-Max's non-traffic, pro, and off-road capabilities are what I was most impressed with in this car. Not because they are not worth it - on the contrary, as already mentioned, the Isuzu pickup is one of the best in its class in all respects that are considered significant in a pickup. However, the fact that this machine can carry heavy loads, go almost anywhere and handle almost any challenge in its path is to be expected for a serious D-Max rank machine.

However, inevitably, with such models, it somehow automatically comes to the conclusion that their behavior in ordinary everyday life is more or less like that of an elephant in a glass workshop, so famous in folk art. And here's the big surprise - the D-Max not only gets the job done in an unstoppable pickup truck, it's also surprisingly enjoyable to drive. Dynamic enough, with decent maneuverability, excellent visibility in all directions, good brakes, good comfort and behavior on the road, which can embarrass a number of models that claim to be the elite representatives of the SUV category. Inside the car is not luxurious, but comfortable and ergonomic. Long transitions may not be his main discipline, but they are not a real problem and will not tire you out more than a regular car. The D-Max is one of those cars where the more you drive, the more you appreciate it. With whom you are somehow imperceptibly friends. Because there are fewer and fewer good professionals. And Isuzu D-Max is exactly what is offered at the same time at one of the best prices in its segment. Respect!

Text: Bozhan Boshnakov

Photo: Melania Iosifova