The representative of one of the oldest Japanese car companies became our editorial vehicle of the past week. It was an Isuzu D-Max in Double Cab design, which can carry five people and a lot of cargo in a covered bed.
In the 2017 model year, it continues to retain the epithet of a big worker.
However, its current version brings a number of novelties.
The biggest innovation for this model is primarily the new drive unit. It is a diesel four-cylinder engine with a volume of 1.9 l, with a charge air cooler and meeting the Euro 6 emission standard. The current model has also undergone a light facelift.
The version we tested was equipped with the already mentioned diesel engine in conjunction with a manual six-speed gearbox.
The Isuzu D-Max is manufactured in Thailand, not far from Bangkok.
EXTERIOR
D-Max is offered in three variants, single cab (two-seater cabin), space cab (two-seater cabin with a small space behind the front seats) and the double cab variant (five-seater cabin) tested by us.
You also have the option of choosing from three equipment levels, from Basic, through Custom, to Premium equipment.
The tested Isuzu D-Max, Double Cab has a very robust impression. Its length of 5.3 m is just proof of that.
Its external appearance is classic for cars of the given segment and type, here the Isuzu does not stand out from the line in any way.
The most impressive part of the whole car is the front part. This is significantly enlivened by a chrome mask, which is also prescribed in the front headlights, which are equipped with LED daytime running lights.
The side part of the car is classic, in the tested version and equipment it is enlivened by chrome, electrically folding exterior mirrors.
As part of the highest level of equipment, your Isuzu can also have chrome running boards.
So overall, the exterior concept of the Isuzu D-Max is pleasing and at the same time true, corresponding to its purpose. After all, he is primarily a hard worker who will never leave you alone anywhere.
Moreover, from it, mainly in the interior, you can feel the car company's effort to reach more users. The segment of family, multi-purpose pick-ups has recently become more and more popular.
INTERIOR
The interior of the current model series looks comfortable, not spartan, as one might expect from workers of this category.
The position behind the wheel, including the overall ergonomics of the interior layout, is good, and you get used to controlling the car relatively quickly.
The tested version was in Custom equipment, i.e. the golden middle path. The interior of the car was a combination of dark, black-gray colors and silver accessories.
The dashboard of the car is clear, quite simple looking. In its central part, there is a radio with a digital display and a CD player. Then the air conditioning and heating controls.
The central tunnel is then dominated by a relatively tall, yet comfortable gear lever, followed by a rotary selector for the driven axle, a bottle holder, or an armrest with storage space.
The instrument panel in front of the driver is a pair of classic speedometer and tachometer alarm clocks, between which there is an on-board computer display displaying data on current consumption, long-term consumption, range, engine temperature, current fuel level in the tank, or the currently engaged gear with information on suitable time to reassign.
The least elegant part of the entire interior was the steering wheel. Its dimensions are adequate and in order, you can also control the cruise control from it, but I found its center to be unnecessarily bulky.
The seats in the car are comfortable, the view from the vehicle is amazing. The space for the crew on the rear seats is also sufficient, only their backrests are quite vertical, but this is due to the construction of the body of the pick-up and the connected body.
ENGINE AND RIDE
As part of the modernization, the D-Max received a new diesel engine with a volume of 1.9 l. Its output of 120 kW appears to be adequate and sufficient.
The engine was connected to a manual six-speed gearbox, a six-speed automatic is also available.
Primarily, the D-Max has a driven rear axle, with the rotary control on the center tunnel you can then connect the front axle as well. The next position of the controller then activates the reduction. The version we tested was additionally equipped with the possibility of electronic locking of the rear differential.
Its driving characteristics are its strengths and I personally appreciate them the most on the car. They give the car great versatility and versatile use.
Its six-speed gearbox is excellently graded, first gear is short and strong, you practically don't shift it on asphalt roads, and sixth gear, on the other hand, allows you to turn less than two thousand revolutions at highway speed and pace, and you have no problem with the additional necessary acceleration.
Of course, we tested its off-road properties in an editorial test.
In addition, in November of last year, we took advantage of the offer and, together with the other offroaders, also tested the car directly at the dealer's off-road polygon.
Of course, its cross-country ability is excellent, but in this respect, everyone has to try it out for themselves, because each of us has a different boundary between where you dare to drive and where you can't.
As part of the editorial test, the consumption of the D-Max was slightly above 9 liters of diesel.
CONCLUSION
The recommended price of the tested version of the Double Cab in Basic equipment and manual transmission is CZK 724,700 including VAT.
The recommended price of the Double Cab version tested by us in Custom equipment and manual transmission is then 837,900 CZK including VAT.
The Isuzu D-Max is a car on which you need to appreciate its clarity and legibility, it will very quickly show you what you can expect from it, and that it is not little.
