In the United Arab Emirates, pickup trucks are a dime a dozen and can be seen almost in every kind of environment. Today, almost every major car brand offers them in varying sizes, trim choices, and target different sections of buyers. One of the more well-known of these marques is Japan’s Isuzu Motors, and it’s represented in this segment by the reputed D-Max pickup truck. The Isuzu D-Max made its launch debut in 2002, and it used a Chevrolet platform for its underpinnings. It took Isuzu nearly a decade to replace the aging first-generation model with an all-new one in 2012.
Just as with its predecessor before it, the new Isuzu D-Max also shares its body-on-frame platform with Chevrolet. In the UAE, the 2019 iteration of the D-Max is powered by a diesel engine, and can be had with a manual or automatic transmission. It’s primarily sold in a four-door Crew Cab configuration. Its closest competitors include the Nissan Navara, Toyota Hilux, and Ford Ranger.
Exterior
Like many of its rivals, the Isuzu D-Max isn’t designed to look pretty. It’s supposed to be a capable, rugged, no-nonsense and dependable workhorse – which it certainly is. Up front, the 2019 Isuzu D-Max wears a two-piece chrome grille with “ISUZU” written in bold letters, flanked by angular headlamps with ‘eye-brow’ design turn indicators. The beefy front bumper houses a large air dam in the middle and incorporates a pair of halogen foglights with chrome surrounds. The sides are characterized by 16-inch alloy wheels, flared fenders, and chrome door handles. At the back, there are the vertically-stacked taillights, mildly contoured tailgate, and a partially chrome-plated heavy-duty rear bumper.
The Arctic Trucks AT35 variant of the D-Max looks way cooler, though. This one’s been jacked up by 50 mm to make room for custom Fox shocks and enormous 35-inch BFGoodrich tires – the latter requiring fitment of even larger fenders. You also get a bull bar with off-road LED lights, functional hood scoop and rear roll bar. To top it off, the grille, wing mirrors, roof rails, and door handles have all been given a black treatment. The same goes for the protective bars, 17-inch alloy wheels and rear bumper as well. The AT35 is larger than a regular D-Max, coming in at 5.296 meters in length, 1.999 meters in width, and standing 1.930 meters tall. However, both share the same 3.095-meter wheelbase.
Interior
Sticking to the D-Max AT35, the interior sports contrasting red and black seats, and red stitching on the steering wheel with a red brand logo in the middle. Other highlights in this cabin include the circular design for the HVAC controls, a satin silver 4WD controller knob and many more silver trim bits dotted around the place. While it looks funkier than the standard LS trim of the D-Max, the quality of materials is still quite dire. Of course, everything is screwed together securely and the general build is good, too.
Also of no concern is the amount of space inside the D-Max, as it’s plenty sufficient for five adults. The fully-loaded D-Max AT35 comes equipped with LED daytime-running lights, keyless entry, automatic climate control, power-operated door mirrors, and a low-res touch-infotainment display with navigation. Standard safety kit encompasses 6 airbags, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability program, and a tire-pressure monitoring system.
Engine and performance
The D-Max AT35’s turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine makes 161 hp and 400 Nm of torque – all of which is transferred to all fours via a 5-speed automatic. Its top speed is just north of 170 km/h, while the run to 100 km/h takes a leisurely 15 seconds.
Verdict
The 2019 Isuzu D-Max (LS trim) costs AED 98,900, while the Arctic Trucks variant with the automatic transmission is perched at AED 140,000. Meanwhile, financing for the regular D-Max starts from AED 1,541.
