Isuzu has been a big player in the pickup market for some time, but the D-Max really came into its own with the second-generation model launched in the UK in 2012. It was, and still is, one of the best pickup trucks on the market, and as the D-Max evolved, Isuzu also realised that image matters just as much as ability for some owners, and began to cater to that market too.
The D-Max has sold well and while there have only been a handful of engines available over the years, there’s a much wider range of trim lines to choose from when you’re scoping out the used market. Below you can read a little more about the 2012-2020 D-Max.
Other pickups to consider include the Ford Ranger, Volkswagen Amarok, Mitsubishi L200, Toyota Hilux, and Nissan Navara, while the Great Wall Steed and SsangYong Musso offer a couple of value alternatives too.
You’re not short of choice on the used pickup market. Once dominated by brands like the Mitsubishi L200 and Toyota Hilux, in more recent years we’ve also seen strong competition from Ford’s ever-improving (and ever more desirable) Ranger and the Volkswagen Amarok, while budget brands have launched models like the SsangYong Musso and Great Wall Steed.
In the middle of them all is the Isuzu D-Max, and the second-generation model launched in 2012. It’s recently (in 2021) been superseded by a new model but the outgoing truck remains popular and used models can represent a hefty saving over the occasionally lofty brand-new pricing.
What you’re getting is a pickup with a punchy engine (with the same 1.9-litre turbodiesel available across the range, which followed on from a 2.5 offered previously), a towing capacity of up to 3.5 tonnes braked in 4x4 versions, and a very wide range of variants with different cab sizes and several trim lines, covering everything from a back-to-basics work truck to ones you might take off-roading on a weekend for fun.
The D-Max isn’t the most refined truck available but it drives well, and the same can be said of its interior: you’ll get more comfort and quality from an Amarok, but the D-Max is robust and generally well-equipped, while the different bed and cabin sizes are usefully large and practical, if again not class-leading.
As far as alternatives go, for on-road appeal the Ford Ranger and VW Amarok are hard to beat while the Toyota Hilux has a very well publicised reputation for reliability and durability. Budget models like the Musso and Steed mentioned further up may suit those looking for nothing more than a standard work truck, too. As an all-rounder though, the D-Max has a lot to offer.
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Much like when choosing between vans, this depends on what you’re intending to do with your D-Max, though the spread of different models in the range means there’s arguably more scope here than with most working vehicles. The more basic variants will do the job for most, and the presence of air conditioning even on the Utility is welcome. At the top end, the Blade and XTR will appeal more to those who value play as much as work, or want to make a statement with their business. We’d note that if you want a single-cab truck though, only the Utility had that option.
Engine choice is simple: from 2015, the only power unit was a 1.9-litre diesel, offered with either manual or automatic gearboxes. It has broadly the same performance and only a small difference in economy across the range, so pick your preferred gearbox and go.
Isuzu D-Max: The engine offered across the D-Max range in the later years of the model we’re covering was a 1.9-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel, making 164PS regardless of variant, and a 0-62mph time of 12.7 seconds with the six-speed manual and 13 seconds with the six-speed automatic. Most efficient was the single-cab 4x2 with 45.6mpg combined economy, dropping to 36.2mpg for double-cab automatics, even in big-tyred XTR form.
Brace yourself, because things are a little complicated in the world of Isuzu D-Max trim levels. There are loads of them, and outwardly much of the range looks quite similar, with the exception of the work-focused Utility and the pseudo Dakar rally look of the XTR. Below we’ve covered the main variants available from around 2018-2019, before the latest generation was introduced, as this should represent a large chunk of the used market.
The Isuzu D-Max Utility came with projector headlights, hill start assist and hill descent control, electric windows, central locking, air conditioning, a radio with Bluetooth and a USB port, and basic safety features. It’s the only model that was offered in single-cab form.
The Isuzu D-Max Eiger added a reversing camera, 16-inch alloy wheels, folding and heated door mirrors, body-coloured bumpers, a lockable tailgate, six-speaker audio, manual driver seat height adjustment, carpeted floors, and an alarm.
The Isuzu D-Max Yukon upgraded to a 7-inch touchscreen for the audio system, eight speakers in double-cab versions, a leather steering wheel, 18-inch alloys, front fog lights, and a load liner in the bed.
The Isuzu D-Max Utah got keyless entry and a push-button start, satellite navigation, DAB, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, leather trim with heated front seats, electric driver seat height adjustment, automatic air conditioning, roof bars, a remote locking tailgate, and rear parking sensors.
The Isuzu D-Max Blade stepped up to a 9-inch touchscreen, front and rear parking sensors, privacy glass, illuminated door sill covers and footwells, a tailgate damper, and a colour-coded bed canopy.
The Isuzu D-Max XTR had a unique look, with a specific XTR grille, wheel arch mouldings, side steps, 17-inch wheels with 32-inch Pirelli all-terrain tyres, optional body graphics, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, Pedders off-road suspension, green ambient lighting and green badging, and leather and suede trim.
The Isuzu D-Max’s dimensions are:
Length: 5315mm (single cab), 5295mm (extended/double cab), 5395mm (XTR)
Width: 1775mm (single cab 4x2), 1860mm (all other variants, without mirrors), 1925mm (XTR)
Height: 1685mm (single cab 4x2), 1780-1795mm (all other variants), 1845mm (XTR)
Ground clearance: 225-235 (all variants excluding XTR), 250mm (XTR)
The Isuzu D-Max’s load capacity is:
2305mm length (single cab), 1795mm (extended), 1485mm (double/XTR)
1570mm width (single cab), 1530mm (extended/double/XTR)
440mm depth (single cab), 465mm (extended/double/XTR)
The Isuzu D-Max’s towing capacity is:
2500kg (4x2)
3500kg (4x4, XTR)
Pickup trucks with a gross weight of 3500kg are subject to the same tax rates as vans, which means an Isuzu D-Max driver will currently pay £320 per year (at the 2023-2024 rate).
Insurance groups for the D-Max are relatively high, reflecting the day to day risks of operating a working vehicle but also the relatively lower standards of safety and security of pickups compared to regular passenger cars. Among the models covered on this page, a basic Utility 4x2 starts off in group 39 and a Blade lifts that to group 40, while the XTR will likely cost the most to insure with a group 42 rating.