The Isuzu D-Max Extended Cab deserves attention. It is a bakkie I have become increasingly familiar with, and fond of, and a weekend trip to Porcupine Hills Guest Farm reaffirmed this soft-spot.
I’ve actually had this particular Ex-Cab to test once before, and I’ve come to love the fact that a very capable vehicle comes packaged with a noisy engine and a basic transmission. There is something about the drive that makes it feel authentically “bakkie” and encourages you to venture off-road, in the face of the era of luxury and lifestyle bakkies surfing the city streets.
There is quite a price and spec range on offer with the D-Max Ex-Cab, starting at R469 800 for an entry level 1.9-litre diesel model and ending at the model we were lucky enough to receive; the 3,0L Ddi LSE 4×4 A/T. Quite a mouthful, and priced at R724 500.
Equipped with a 3.0 litre turbo-diesel engine (paired to a bit 6-speed automatic transmission), the D-Max Ex-Cab delivers a solid 140kW of power and 450N.m of torque. Rubbing shoulders with the Rangers and Amaroks in their next-generation, and the evergreen Toyota Hilux, the D-Max has come under fire for feeling “too agricultural”, and copped criticism for a lack of driving refinement.
Related: Isuzu D-Max AT35 is an off-road weapon
Its a bit of a tired narrative. Is a less refined on-road drive not the the sacrifice you make for getting – at a relatively good price-point – a really reliable, simple engine that powers a bakkie made to patrol a farm and tow stuff?
Its a straightforward route up to Porcupine Hills, and as you enter Grabouw, instead of turning right into Peregrine you take a left, and soon after you turn onto a dirt road. After that you count your blessings for having a bakkie.
The terrain allowed for a reminder of the D-Max’s two driving personas. On-road, the engine grumbles and the six-speed automatic transmission makes sure you know the car is gearing up, but off-road, well it feels like that’s what the bakkie was tuned for.
The trails at Porcupine Hills were ideal for testing its all-terrain skills, and despite not tackling any technical off-road stretches, the mud on the rained out tracks had already taken a 4×2 Hilux prisoner earlier in the day.
One must remember that the D-Max is not a new car. South Africa even got it late because of Covid-19, so it has been a round for a while. With this being said, Isuzu did a great job inside, designing a comfortable and functional cabin that has aged well.
Leather-accented seats, multiple storage compartments, and convenient technology make for a pleasant experience. The infotainment system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and the manual climate control system is a welcome, user-friendly design choice.
As I mentioned earlier, the LSE model is a comprehensive off-roader, with Hill-Start Assist, Hill-Descent Control and Electronic Stability Control, a rear-diff lock and selectable four-wheel-drive low and high range options. Additionally, the extended cab area, is perfect if you are a couple who enjoys adventuring or an individual with a need for a bakkie with a bit of extra in-car storage.
ISUZU’s D-Max Extended Cab hits the mark. With an impressive set of features, a history of reliability and no compromises on either lifestyle or utility, the D-Max remains a strong contender in today’s competitive bakkie market, especially for those buyers seeking “the agricultural”, rather than condemning it.
Isuzu D-Max Ex-Cab 3,0-litre LSE 4X4 at a glance:
- Price: R724 500 (September 2023)
- Engine: 3.0-liter turbo-diesel, 4-cylinder
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic
- Power: 140 kW
- Torque: 450 Nm
- Driven wheels: 4×4 (4WD)
- Fuel consumption: 8.2 L/100 km