Isuzu D-Max

As expected, the cabin of this commercial-spec Isuzu D-Max sold in the UAE misses out on all the premium comfort and convenience features offered in its lifestyle version, the V-Cross. Instead, the Isuzu D-Max here gets an all-black cabin with hard plastics and just the basic equipment levels.

The Isuzu D-Max gets a basic-looking three-spoke steering wheel and an all-analogue instrument console behind it, combining together to form a bare-basic driver’s cockpit. The centre console of the Isuzu D-Max also looks plain-jane, with no infotainment at the place.

The lower centre console here gets manual controls for the climate control, with the Isuzu D-Max also getting power windows and tilt adjustment for the steering wheel. While the Isuzu D-Max misses out on several comfort and convenience features, it compensates for that absence with several small storage spaces everywhere in the cabin.

For the UAE market, the Isuzu D-Max is available only in the commercial fleet version, which is its most basic-looking version on sale worldwide. The D-Max sold in the UAE looks basic and bare-bones, with it getting only the essentials at the place.

At the front, all the versions of the Isuzu D-Max come with an unpainted all-black bumper, along with the all-black plastic front grille. This fascia gives it a very basic face which looks like it has been designed to keep costs in check. This commercial version of the Isuzu D-Max gets basic all-halogen illumination for the angular headlamp, while it misses out on the rounded fog lamps in the front bumper. 

Move towards the side profile, and the Isuzu D-Max impresses with its heightened stance, thanks to the tall bonnet, 220mm ground clearance and large door panels. To keep costs in check, the Isuzu D-Max also gets blacked-out door handles and rearview mirrors and misses out on wheel caps for the steel wheels. The slightly-flared rounded wheel arches add some amount of visual drama to the otherwise plain-looking side profile of the D-Max.

At the back, the Isuzu D-Max gets only a pair of vertically-aligned tail lamps on the corners of the deck lid, which gets wide Isuzu lettering spread across its width. The rear bumper is an all-black plastic affair.

For matching its utilitarian image of a proper workhorse, the Isuzu D-Max comes with a rugged suspension setup of Macpherson struts at the front and leaf springs at the rear. This pickup, which is based on a ladder-on-frame architecture, feels tough as nails with the suspension setup it gets as standard. However, as expected, the ride quality is on the firmer and bouncier side.

All the three variants of the Isuzu D-Max come powered by a 1.9-litre four-cylinder diesel engine, which is inarguably one of the most reliable and durable engines in the pickup segment. With a maximum power output of 150 PS and a peak torque output of 350 Nm, this 1.9-litre diesel engine is paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox as the standard choice of transmission.

Given its overall bare-bones appeal, the Isuzu D-Max just gets the compulsory features like dual front airbags and ABS with EBD.

The Isuzu D-Max might be a bare-bones vehicle in its overall visual appeal and equipment levels. However, when it comes to sheer mechanicals under its skin, it is one capable workhorse with a tractable and reliable diesel engine and a rugged suspension setup. The Isuzu D-Max has built-up a reputation as a durable machine despite its limited equipment levels on offer.