2024
Automatic
Tax: n/a
Mileage: 3,800
Diesel
2018
Manual
Mileage: 124,000
Mileage: 101,933
2016
Mileage: 117,209
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Mazda no longer sells a pick-up truck in the UK but that Japanese maker has had quite a hand in this one, the third generation version of the Isuzu D-Max. It's the first time these two brands have collaborated together and the partnership seems to make a lot of sense. Isuzu can deliver the rough, tough practical design that pick-up folk need; Mazda can imbue that product with the smarter, more car-like cabin and better tarmac drive dynamics that most of them want. This 'RG'-series model first went on sales in Thailand (where it's built) back in October 2019, but sales didn't really get underway in our market until 2021, two years on from which Isuzu treated this model to a light facelift, creating the version we're going to look at here.
You'll probably have preconceptions about the Isuzu D-Max. Possibly positive ones if you're a farmer or commercial user who needs something tough, rough and ready and have tried a D-Max in the past. By and large though, previous versions of this Isuzu have never had the polish - primarily in ritzy looks, cabin design and tarmac drive quality - to appeal to the broadest spectrum of the pick-up market. But this rejuvenated 'RG'-series D-Max just might. It's now got a good deal more pavement presence and though the interior and the paved surface drive dynamics still aren't quite on a par with its Ford Ranger or Toyota Hilux arch-rivals, the gap in these two areas has now closed considerably. To the point where you might really want this Isuzu, because it now has attributes its rivals simply can't match. Primarily, class-leading safety levels that set a new standard for the pick-up segment. This D-Max is also better off road than a Ranger and can ford deeper water than a Hilux. It's not quite as cheap as the other segment contender, SsangYong's Musso, but it's a much higher quality product that'll save you plenty over the prices Ford and Toyota want to charge.
