Tarted up Isuzu X-Rider Black certainly looks the part
Big, black, bold and distinctive, Isuzu’s X-Rider Black will also remain exclusive thanks to only 150 limited-edition versions of this special D-Max being built. These individually numbered, Struandale, Gqeberha built bakkies are available in three different variants across the South African, and other African markets. So the chances of another one on your block, or even suburb or village, remain unlikely.
Available in six-speed manual or automatic 4x2, or this 4x4 automatic, all are propelled by Isuzu’s 110kW 350 Nm 7.3 l/100 km 1.9-litre Ddi turbodiesel. A high-value offering with its own special dark character, D-Max X-Rider Black comes exclusively in onyx black paint spreading to the door and tailgate knobs, B-pillars and wing mirror caps and laser cut X sports bar.
All that’s offset by functional grey roof rails. Add striking 18-inch gloss black alloys in General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tyres, just in case. The gunmetal black trimmed grille splits smart and powerful LED headlamps and fog lamps. A notable step up from the base model Halogens. It’s all emphasised by red Isuzu lettering backed by individual red-themed badges and decals around the bakkie and spreading to a silver edged tailgate logo.
Black is Black in the land of Isuzu
Step aboard to red contrast stitched and X-embroidered leather seats, multifunction steering wheel and gear knob. Add faded red dash and door accents contrasting with piano black trim. And all the X-Ride badging, floor mats and more. Black also carries X-Rider’s cruise control, a seven-inch CarPlay, Auto and Wi-Fi infotainment, six-speaker audio and rear park assist and camera over.
Safety spec includes EBD, ESC with traction and tailer sway, hill and descent assistants. Add ABS brakes with electronic force distribution and assist. Plus driver and front passenger, front side, curtain and a driver’s knee airbags. And Isofix mounts for your baby and kid seat. All of that simply adds to the straightforward, honest approach Isuzu D-Max credo. Unlike 3-litre big brother, this little 1.9 turbodiesel has its own strengths. They become increasingly compelling the more you know and understand them.
Stepping aboard, angular and sensibly laid out, the pretty dash is perhaps too plastic in places. But great if you just want a bakkie. Maybe not if you’re after carlike refinement. Still, it’s a pleasant place to spend your driving time. This airconditioned cabin has power windows front and rear, and remote central locking. The grippy steering wheel falls easily to hand and all those add-ons are welcome.
Knobs and buttons you can actually use
The infotainment screen seems too small for its place on the dash. We’d prefer a full size interface to some of the trinkets X-Rider Back brings. But it’s easy to use and sensible. Has real buttons and knobs. The touchscreen is also run by steering buttons that toggle the trip computer nestling between legible analogue dials too.
You can pack well over a tonne in the bak and this 1.9-litre 4×4 D-Max comes off the floor with a factory fitted towbar ready to tug a 2100 kg braked trailer. Which is adequate. You’ll need to buy up the range if you want the whole 3.5 ton hog. Wading depth is 800 mm. For the rest, it’s just get in and go. No stupid driver aids that are impossible to eradicate and the little 1.9-litre four-pot copes well.
It has reasonable power, even if performance is a touch tardy. Not that you’d ever notice it on the road There’s a little turbo lag, but nothing to write home about. This one may lack its 3-litre big brother’s grunt, but it has its own advantages. Especially at the fuel pump. The little 1.9 certainly lives up to Isuzu’s miserly hype. Impressively economical for a bakkie at a claimed 7.3 litres per hundred. You should easily manage over 1,100 km on a tank, if you drive it accordingly on the open road.
X-Rider Black among best looking bakkies
The six-speed automatic is handy, quite sensible and shifts when it should. That, comfortable seats, and a pleasant, spacious driving environment conspire to deliver a good all-round package. Its competitively priced too, black bells, whistles and all. On the flipside, ride is hard and bouncy unladen but improves with a load on the back.
Build quality is a bit tinny inside and out. Some may consider it ugly. Perhaps too similar looking to the previous edition bakkie. And to be honest, some of budget spent on perhaps unnecessary Black trinkets, could have been better spent on luxury kit. Like a full-size screen, to spoil the driver, rather than him or her just showing off. In an ever more competitive market packed with superbly stacked cut-price rivals, spec is king.
That said, this Black Edition is exclusive enough to dare to be different. There won’t be many more than 50 units of this particular 4x4 variant on the road. And for the few that prefer to stand alone, that’s more than significant, all on its own. Yes, there’s no doubt that the Isuzu D-Max X-Rider Black is among the best looking bakkies on, and off the road…. – Michele Lupini
Images & test data: Giordano Lupini
ROAD TESTED: Isuzu D-Max 1.9TD
X-Rider Black 4x4 auto
Engine: 110 Kw 350 Nm 1.9 litre turbodiesel I4
Drive: 6 speed automatic 4x2
Load Capacity: 1100 kg
Braked Trailer: 2100 kg
TESTED:
0--60 km/h: 4.74 sec
0-100 km/h: 11.71 sec
0-120 km/h: 16.63 sec
0-400m: 17.8 sec @ 124 km/h
80-120 km/h: 9.12 sec
CLAIMED:
VMax: 175 km/h
Fuel: 7.3 l/100 km
CO2: 192 g/km
Range: 1050 km
Warranty/Service: 5y 120K/5y 90K km
LIST PRICE: R770K
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