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James Batchelor checks out a trusty pick-up which impressed our Towcar of the Year judges earlier this year
The Isuzu makes day-to-day driving easy
Isuzu’s determination paid off this year, as the Japanese maker finally recorded a win in the Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year awards, with the impressive D-Max V-Cross claiming the Pick-Up crown (in ‘Steel Edition’ guise). Here, I take it for a drive and reveal why it was such a hit with the judges.
Comfort – 69%
While EVs are taking ever greater slices of the UK car market, it’s a different story with pick-ups. Manufacturers are feverishly readying electric-powered pick-ups for the near future but are also aware that many owners are not quite ready to go fully electric.
This year’s Towcar competition saw electric power creep in for the very first time in the pick-up category, but it was the diesel-powered D-Max that came out on top.
Building a great double-cab pick-up is no easy task. These types of vehicles have to offer the creature comforts and styling features that SUV buyers desire and act as great family cars at the weekend, while also being workhorses during the week.
We’ve been impressed by the current generation of D-Max before, but for 2025 it has been lightly updated to keep it feeling fresh. The tweaks aren’t immediately obvious, but look closely and you’ll spot a new bonnet, grille and bumper design, while the rear lights are fresh, and it gets a lick of new paint with the Sienna Orange seen here.
Gallery
There are a few improvements inside to the technology, with all models getting smartphone mirroring and part-digital dials on the upper models. But, despite this, the infotainment system isn’t the slickest or most comprehensive around.
The interior has a really sturdy feel to it that is perfect for its intended customers, but happily there are some refinements for those more used to SUVs. While everything feels built to last, there is a layer of plushness to the dashboard and doors, with quality plastics and nice-feeling materials used. The interior also gets a big thumbs up for having proper knobs and switches for the air conditioning and other major controls, including those for the four-wheel drive system – that’s not a given these days, with many manufacturers favouring touchscreens for such features.
Rear passenger space is good; the seat bases lift in a 60/40 split, and the backs fold flat, creating extra capacity for carrying larger items such as bicycles.
The cargo bed’s size varies with cab style; here, in Double Cab form, the D-Max offers a 1,520mm bed, slightly shorter than the Toyota Hilux (1,525mm) and Ford Ranger (1,564mm). Width is a strong suit, with the D-Max providing 1,530mm across, complete with tie-down hoops and a damped tailgate for easier use.
Driving – 69%
The D-Max is powered solely by a 1.9-litre turbocharged diesel, paired with either a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox. Output is a modest 162bhp, and while the official 0-62mph sprint of 13 seconds sounds unremarkable, the truck feels lively in real-world driving. Our top-spec V-Cross gets the automatic, and it switches gears smoothly enough and feels well suited to the engine.
Efficiency is respectable, but refinement less so. Compared with some smoother diesels, the Isuzu’s throaty note feels distinctly more ‘old-school’. That said, the engine is impressively torquey, which is more important to those who tow than outright refinement.
Like most pick-ups, an empty load bed makes for a fidgety ride, yet the D-Max doesn’t disgrace itself. There’s acceptable composure in corners, and the steering, while light, proves accurate enough to make day-to-day driving easy.
Towing – 82%
Gallery
The D-Max has always impressed with its rugged spirit and abilities, and many judges at this year’s Towcar competition referred to the fact it got on with its job with minimal fuss. The D-Max made light work of every assessment at Millbrook Proving Ground and while the engine was a little vocal on steeper sections of road, there was more than enough muscle to haul its caravan.
For this test, I didn’t repeat the towing evaluation I carried out with the pre-facelift model last year. At that time, I hitched up to a van with an MRO of 1,618kg and felt that the D-Max kept its outfit in remarkable check, and I would stick with that verdict now. During judging for Towcar of the Year 2026, the D-Max towed a heavier weight of 1,777kg, and the same was true here – it really took command of its caravan and delivered a competent and sophisticated towing experience.
Other things to note are the D-Max’s well-weight steering, which gives real confidence when towing, and the switchable all-wheel drive system (which can be changed from two- to four-wheel drive on the fly) – a handy feature if conditions get slippery.
Verdict – 73%
The D-Max places towing ability and off-road prowess above everything else, and it succeeds. Updates for 2025 boost the car’s style, usability and comfort, and make the overall package a strong one.
