We put the bakkie man’s bakkie to the tow test
Every now and then, we have the opportunity to deliver a proper tow test as we tug our Tork Craft Polo Cup racer around the country. The most recent chance was up to Port Elizabeth last week, where appropriately enough, we were handed one of Gqeberha’s finest to do the job back to its spiritual home and back.
Described as a giant step forward, Isuzu promised that D-Max brought state of the art tech to enhance its every aspect. Intensively developed, engineered and durability tested in South Africa, for South Africans, they say it’s built just for you. Everything, from suspension to its tyres, it’s tough, made to measure load box and tailgate, to dust sealing, was exhaustively tested in local conditions. Fettled to meet and exceed every South African customer expectation. In the most demanding of local conditions.
Not that you’d notice it straight up. Park the new D-Max and an old one next to each other and you actually need to squint to notice the difference between them. It’s a bit better inside, where an angular and sensibly laid out dash is far prettier than before. Neither over the top nor ostentatious, its great if you just want a bakkie. Maybe not if you’re after carlike refinement. Still, it’s a pleasant place to spend eight or nine hours at a time on tow.
A pleasant place to tow for nine hours at a time
This airconditioned LS cabin has power windows front and rear, and remote central locking. The grippy cross stitched power multifunction steering wheel falls nicely to hand. There’s also cruise control, and rear park distance control aided and abetted by a reversing camera.
The infotainment screen fails to fill the space left for it on the dash. But it’s a usable system. Has Auto, CarPlay and Bluetooth connectivity, USB ports front and rear, and an AUX input too. The touchscreen is backed by dash and steering wheel buttons that also toggle the trip computer nestling between fine and legible analogue dials.
This middle of the range model has satin silver grille embellishments, side steps and a roll hoop above a cool taunet cover to hide all our pitlane bits and bobs. That said, the tailgate locks, with a key, but not centrally. It has regular Halogen headlamps with daytime driving running lights, front fog lamps and a high level brake light at the rear. To be honest, the yellow and dim headlights were a little lacking, especially if it’s raining.
Pack a tonne in the bak, TOW a 3,500 kg braked trailer
D-Max 3.0 LS sports neat standard 17-inch six double-spoke alloys clad in more street-oriented Dunlop Grandtrek 255/65 R17 bakkie tyres. You can pack a tonne in the bak and this 4×4 D-Max can pull a 3,500 kg braked trailer, which is a ton and a bit more than our double-axle trailer with the partially loaded Polo Cup on top.
Just get in and go, too. There are no stupid driver aids that are near impossible to switch off. There’s still traction and stability control, and ABS brakes with EBD and assist. Add seven airbags, Isofix kid seat mounts, and the rest.
This three-litre four-pot drives very well. It has oodles of usable power and you have to remember it’s pulling a trailer, because its strong enough to help you forget. There’s a little turbo lag, but nothing to write home about. And it’s close to the fastest-four pot diesel double cab we have ever tested without a load or trailer on, too.
Reasonably economical at 12.7 l/100 km on tow
Producing 140 kW at a relatively low 3,600 r/min peak, its 450 Nm offsets that in a decent band between 1600 and 2600 revs. It’s reasonably economical at a claimed 8.2 litres per hundred and you should manage 900 km if you drive it accordingly. That went up to 12.7 l/100 km on tow. So bank on about 550 km from the 76 litre tank there.
The six-speed box is handy to use and easy to tow in sixth if the speed is up, if rubbery and stiff to shift. It readily gets back up to speed easily once over the top of a steep incline or should you be a little delayed. That, comfortable seats, and a pleasant, spacious driving environment conspire to deliver a decent all-round package. Its competitively priced too.
On the flipside, this bakkie has a hard and bouncy ride. It’s like that unladen, gets a bit better with a load on the back, but then the trailer tends to telegraph it. Something the same device did not do to other tow vehicles. and quite surprising considering the relatively tall profile rubber. Build quality could be deemed a bit tinny inside and out. And some may consider it ugly. And perhaps a little too similar looking to the older bakkie.
D-Max 3.0TD DC LS a decent value, basic bakkie.
All in all, however, this middle of the broad Isuzu D-Max double cab range 3.0TD DC LS 4×4 is a decent value for money, good basic bakkie. Exactly what we have always admired Isuzu for achieving. And it passed our tow test with honours too. – Michele Lupini
Test data: Giordano Lupini
TOW TESTED: Isuzu D-Max 3.0TD DC LS 4x4 manual Engine: 140 Kw 450 Nm 3.0 litre turbodiesel Drive: 6 speed manual 4x4 Load Capacity: 1,100 kg Braked Trailer: 3,500 kg TESTED: 0--60 km/h: 4.02 sec 0-100 km/h: 9.37 sec 0-120 km/h: 13.03 sec 0-160 km/h: 25.23 sec 0-400m: 16.1 sec @ 136 km/h 80-120 km/h: 6.78 sec 120-160 km/h: 12.22 sec Range: 925 km Fuel Towing: 12.7 l/100 km CLAIMED: VMax: 185 km/h Fuel: 8.2 l/100 km CO2: 203 g/km CO2: 192 g/km Range Towing: 550 km Warranty/Service: 5y 120K/5y 90K km LIST PRICE: R716K RATED: 8
