Isuzu D-Max 2.5 Blade review: Sharp new Isuzu pick-up range topper

What’s not?

• The D-Max might have double-wishbone suspension, but the heavy-duty springs mean the ride is unsettled and bouncy.
• There’s a fair amount of body roll in corners and the D-Max driving experience isn’t helped by the lifeless steering and a clunky six-speed gearbox.
• The Blade is sturdily made, but all the extra standard kit in the interior can’t hide the fact that the Isuzu’s interior is fairly drab and the plastics on the dashboard and doors feel disappointingly low-rent.
• The 2.5-litre twin-turbo diesel engine is keen from low-down the rev range, but disappointingly it seems to run out of puff after that. This engine is really noisy at idle too.
• The D-Max is capable of 38.7mpg on the Combined Cycle, with CO2 emissions of 192g/km. Both of these figures are credible, but rivals such as the latest Mitsubishi L200 are better performers.
• The standard Pioneer touch screen audio/nav system is fiddly to use, with too many small, poorly marked buttons.

Verdict on the Isuzu D-Max 2.5 Blade

The Isuzu D-Max is a welcome addition to the range. The smart styling and interior additions add another level of attraction to what was already a sturdy and spacious pick-up.

However, the competitive price, plus the entire Blade’s extra kit cannot hide the D-Max’s inherent faults, such as the rough ride, noisy engine and workman-like quality.