Driven: 2020 Isuzu D-Max 250 Extended cab Hi-Ride Auto
The Isuzu D-Max is perhaps one most beloved bakkies in South Africa. It's practical, down to earth, and can handle itself pretty dam well when it comes to off-road work. It may not always be as aesthetically appealing as its competitors, but either way, you will rest easy at night, knowing that its value for money cannot be beaten.
Sticking to its guns
The D-Max 250 sticks to its roots by keeping its 2.5 diesel engine. The power output also remains the same at 100kW of power and 320Nm of torque. The D-Max 250 is by no means a bakkie built for power but rather one for practicality. On the road, it does not offer as smooth of a drive as one would hope. The D-Max 250 is work focused, so a smooth riding was not part of its agenda. At the end of the day, the D-Max 250 feels strong and sturdy, making an excellent offering for those looking to do heavy lifting.
Rugged exterior
Isuzu’s have always had a reputation for being tough and the D-Max 250 certainly lives up to this. The D-Max 250 keeps all the ruggedness of its classic predecessor, with little appeal to its modern market. Changes to the D-Max 250 are very minimal, it still in many ways looks outdated. The biggest highlight to take away from it must be its exceptional towing capacity which can offer up to 2100kg. The front design is not as appealing as its X-Rider brother and in our humble opinion could have gotten more a modern design.
Old interior
Stepping inside the cabin of the D-Max 250 may feel very dated but at the end of the day, it offers all the comfort you need to get work done. Its front seats did prove to be comfortable, but some extra cushioning at the rear would certainly help. There is not much to say about the inside because truth be told, there isn’t much to talk about. It comes standard with a radio, air conditioning, and a USB socket. It seems that its rugged appeal is brought inside too.
Verdict
Overall, the D-Max 250 Extended is built to endure harsh working environments, making the perfect offering for those who like to do heavy lifting. Sure, it's not the most comfortable bakkie out there but at the end day its engine is more than likely to outlive you. It's built tough and fuel-efficient, which is all one really needs from an extended cab bakkie. Isuzu seems to be sticking to its ‘tough’ slogan and in doing so, they have built one of the sturdiest bakkies on the market.
Pricing
Isuzu D-Max 250 Extended cab Hi-Ride Auto R401 500
