The What Van? Road Test: Isuzu D-Max (2021)

Date: Friday, January 28, 2022

Interior and equipment

Complete with leather upholstery and protected by an alarm, there is no denying that V-Cross’s cab is well-specified.

Both the front seats are heated, and the driver’s seat is electrically-adjustable for height, reach and rake. The lumbar support is power-operated too.

The leather-trimmed steering wheel’s height and reach are alterable manually and the wheel plays host to the DAB radio’s remote controls, along with buttons for the truck’s adaptive cruise control system.

Air-conditioning is included in the deal too, and the heating and ventilation matrix is controlled by a bank of rocker switches beneath the 9in multifunction colour touch-screen, which oversees the infotainment system.

Put the truck in reverse and the screen will show you what is behind you thanks to a rear-mounted camera. Front and rear parking sensors should also help ensure that you don’t damage your vehicle or a luckless passer-by during low-speed manoeuvring.

Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto form part of the package, as do a USB port and a 12v power socket.

Electric windows are fitted to all four doors, and the exterior mirrors are power-operated and power-foldable. However they lack a wide-angle section.

In-cab storage facilities include a lidded bin between the front seats accompanied by a pair of cup-holders, a lidded and lockable glove-box and a compartment with a lid on top of the fascia. A sunglasses holder sits just above the windscreen and you will find a pop-out cup-holder plus a flip-down cubby-hole set into the fascia to the right of the steering wheel.

There is a shelf at the bottom of the dashboard plus bins in all the doors.

Air vents are installed in the rear of the console between the two front seats for the benefit of people sitting in the back along with another USB point. All three rear seats boast lap-and-diagonal belts plus headrests, and if the middle seat is not in use then the back can be folded down and transformed into an armrest with a couple of cup-holders.

Legroom for the two outermost passengers is acceptable, but limited if you happen to occupy the centre seat.

In addition to the safety devices outlined earlier, D-Max comes with Traction Control, Brake Assist System, and Hill Start Assist. Trailer Sway Control will respond if a trailer you are hauling starts to snake, and should hopefully bring things back under control by reducing your speed.

Should you be unlucky enough to be involved in a collision then you will be enveloped by front, side, curtain, centre and driver’s-knee airbags. The last two are new additions.

Multi-Collision Brake applies the brakes after any smash in which the airbags have been deployed. Disc brakes are installed at the front, while drums do duty at the rear.

D-Max’s suspension system employs leaf springs at the back. McPherson struts are fitted at the front, with new upper control arms intended to reduce body roll and vibration, and increase tyre contact with the ground.

The V-Cross’s 18ins alloy wheels were shod with Dunlop Grandtrek AT25 265/60 R18 tyres.

Electronic power steering delivers a 12.5m kerb-to-kerb turning circle.

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