What Van? Britain's biggest and best van buyers' guide

Operating

At five years/125,000 miles, there is no denying that the warranty is a generous one. Roadside assistance in the UK and European Union member states is provided throughout its duration, and D-Max is further protected by a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty.

Service intervals are set at one year/12,000 miles. That may sound short when compared with the lengthy intervals promoted by some van manufacturers, but it makes sense given the hammering 4x4 pick-ups can receive when they are driven
off-road.

Even with Stop and Start, fuel economy is not V-Cross’s strong suit, although much the same can be said about well-nigh-all 4x4 double-cab pick-ups with automatic boxes. We averaged around 33mpg; better than the WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) mid-figure quoted by Isuzu, but worse than the combined figure.

Keyless ignition is fitted, which means you can start the engine by pushing a button – that’s assuming you have the key fob present. 

Such systems raise security issues no matter which vehicle manufacturer is involved.

Our advice? Keep the fob in a signal-blocking Faraday pouch when not in use to help ensure thieves cannot overcome the truck’s anti-theft devices, and drive it away.

A full-size spare wheel is provided with the tools and jack stowed behind the back seat. It’s good to see LEDs used for the headlights, daytime running lights, rear lights and front fog lights. It will be a very long time before any of them need replacing. 

The Bi-LED headlights fitted incorporate the high and low beam into one projector module. They switch on or off automatically according to light levels, and dip when oncoming vehicles are detected. 

They go back to high beam when the vehicles have passed.

A rain sensor triggers the windscreen wipers at the first sign of a downpour.

The truck we drove was finished in Sapphire Blue mica paint for an extra £500. In fact every paint finish bar plain white attracts the same premium – an added cost that’s down to the buyer.

Now, come on Isuzu. Surely anybody shelling out for the top-of-the-range model shouldn’t be asked to pay extra for a few pots of fancy paint?

Isuzu D-Max V-Cross 4x4 automatic double-cab pick-up

Price (ex VAT) £31,929

Price range (ex VAT) £20,179-£31,929

Gross payload 1,070kg

Load length 1,495mm

Load width (min/max) 1,080mm/1,530mm 

Load bay height 490mm

Loading height 838mm

Gross vehicle weight 3,100kg

Braked trailer towing weight 3,500kg

Residual value 31.9%*

Cost per mile 64.5p

Engine size/power 1,898cc, 164hp @ 3,600rpm

Torque 360Nm @ 2,000-2,500rpm

Gearbox 6spd automatic

Fuel economy (combined WLTP) 30.7.mpg 

Fuel tank 76l

CO2 241g/km

Warranty 5yrs/125,000mls

Service intervals 1yr/12,000mls

Insurance group 44D

Price as tested £32,429

* after 48 months @ 20,000 miles a year - source - KWIKcarcost