A double cab for five occupants, with plenty of room for equipment, machinery or even livestock.
That’s the new Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Double Cab Auto, an extremely versatile vehicle, and as I drive it, a couple pass by that have been fitted with cherry pickers, making it perfect for engineers.
I’m not such a demanding motorist, though. I’m just using it to transport my family and luggage. The children love the covered rear, it makes a nice little play area when the vehicle’s stationary. The rear is easy to access too, with the top glass half opening for quick and easy access, and the bottom half also opening up, providing a large opening if required. The children sit on the bottom half to eat their picnic on a wet day, with the glass half providing shelter.
Externally, it’s a large truck finished in pearlescent white, with an appealing black grille, arches and wheels.
The automatic 1.9-litre diesel doesn’t come with its own sat nav, making it necessary for me to use my own, but that’s not a problem. It plugs in and fits to the windscreen easily enough.
I take it on a trip to Bristol, which presents a small opportunity to try the four-wheel drive function as we negotiate red deer at Longleat Safari Park. It’s a wet and muddy day too, so keeping it in the standard road with two-wheel drive just sees the wheels spinning. Four-wheel drive makes light work of the terrain. A male lion licks the wing mirror, approvingly. We don’t dare take it in the monkey enclosure, because they have a reputation for pulling bits off vehicles…
It is a large vehicle, which makes reversing a little troublesome, especially onto our driveway, where there is a pillar to the left, but as long as I am careful and patient, there are no issues. I’m helped by the reversing camera, although the view can become blurred when it’s raining.
The leather seats form part of the hardwearing interior, perfect for farmers or tradespeople who need this type of tough finish. The driver’s seat is electrically adjustable. We find that the signal on the DAB radio is unreliable, which is frustrating.
Overall, it’s an easy vehicle to drive, and there’s cruise control. We all enjoy being high up. The heated front seats are much appreciated, and the cabin is warm on a cold day. It’s an enjoyable and very capable vehicle, which comes with a five-year, 125k-mile warranty.
Facts at a glance:
Isuzu D-Max V-Cross
Price: £40,900 CVOTR
3.5 tonne towing capacity
Over 1 tonne payload
Power: 164bhp
Fuel range: 500 miles
Economy: Over 30mpg
0-60mph: 13secs
Top speed: 112mph
Watch the video at www.testdrives.biz
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