The 2021 Isuzu D-Max in a class of its own
The Isuzu D-Max is one of those vehicles that looked like it jumped off the designer’s page and started driving down the street. Its aggressive and radical styling is a departure from the everyday pickup designs that everyone has become accustomed to, and that’s exactly what Isuzu was trying to do.
Design features
The front fascia of the truck is sloped and rakish, looking like it’s ready to dive into adventure. The headlights are slanted up and anchor a bright silver grille replete with the Isuzu name in the center. Dashes of chrome (or other options available) adorn the front framing out more lights and underscoring the design under the headlights. Bulging fenders and running boards continue the aggressive look with molded body panels completing the off-road design. The back of the truck sees a squared-off tailgate and harsh angles, giving a pleasing finish to the overall truck design. Although the D-Max is unique in design, it still has that Isuzu flavor.
Powering it up
The D-Max is powered by a 1.9-liter 4cyl turbodiesel engine that comes standard with every configuration. This peppy engine puts out 162hp and can be mated to a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. While the engine may not sound impressive numbers-wise, it is powerful enough to get you where you want to go, and designed mainly for off-road and carrying payloads. In that vein, you can engage either the four-wheel-drive or low-range gears for navigating even the most difficult byways. Hill descent and hill start assist are also available giving the driver sure footing no matter what the situation is calling for.
Creature comforts
The interior of the D-Max is well appointed with enough gear to keep you in the know and entertained wherever your travels take you. The interior lines are clean and well thought out with everything seemingly swooping toward the front windshield. The gauges are clean and well placed for the driver in a standard speedometer/tachometer display, along with a centralized information display. The center console has a smart screen as well as a simple climate control system that is chunky and easy to read. It is also beautifully simple, consisting of only a single dial surrounded by buttons for a specific choice of comfort setting. As with any modern vehicle, there are a plethora of options from seating to sound and comfort options for the interior.
Safety features
The D-Max offers a lot of safety features for a truck in this class. Front, side, and current airbags along with ABS, Brake Assist, and brake force distribution help to avoid crashes as well as protecting occupants when they occur. The frame is built from high tensile steel and there are side-impact intrusion bars to keep occupants safe as well.
This little Isuzu truck has the power to propel you to adventure and the safety features to make sure you get there and back. All in all a capable truck in a very crowded market.
