Described as “the ultimate pickup truck”, can the fully loaded Isuzu D-Max V-Cross double cab blend lifestyle and workhorse capabilities with aplomb? Al Suttie trials it for a week to find out.

Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Auto

List price CVOTR: £40,005 CO2: 235g/km Economy: 31.4mpg Test efficiency: 30.7mpg

Monday

Just about blocking out the summer sun as it arrives, the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross certainly makes itself known with its imposing size this morning. That’s an impression enhanced by this model’s optional Elysium Canopy over the pickup bed, which also adds to this particular truck’s all-round versatility rather than the D-Max’s more utilitarian variants.

Tuesday

The V-Cross spec for the D-Max puts it into direct competition with the Ford Ranger Wildtrak. The Isuzu’s 1.9-litre engine is a little less powerful than the equivalent Ford’s but then the D-Max is also cheaper and slightly more economical on fuel in my experience. Little wonder the D-Max is second only in UK pickup sales to the Ford.

Wednesday

There’s an extensive list of luxury fittings and fixtures for the V-Cross trim in the D-Max. As well as the dark grey finish for the side steps, 18-inch alloy wheels and trim, there’s a handy reversing camera, improved 9-inch infotainment screen, and leather upholstery. The keyless entry should be handy too, but it’s very irritating when it locks the car as you walk round to the other side, as you often do when loading and unloading.

Thursday

The carpeted bed liner is an option for this D-Max and, as someone who uses a pickup more for light loads than bales of hay, it’s a welcome addition. I can chuck my bikes in there without worrying about scratches to their frames or to the load bed, and it prevents them from sliding about. It also seems to help make the V-Cross a bit more hushed and refined inside the cab.

Friday

There’s no mistaking the Isuzu D-Max for an SUV as its ride is very much on the bouncy castle end of the scale. From past driving experience of this model, half a tonne of weight in the bed dampens this down markedly, so the suspension is set for work rather than leisure. On the other hand, the front-end feels secure and sure-footed, and the D-Max is hugely capable offroad.

Saturday

As we’re all well aware of now with modern cars, disabling certain safety systems can be as important as their usefulness depending on the driving situation. Isuzu has made it quick and easy to turn off lane assist and speed warning alerts in the D-Max via the infotainment screen, so full marks to their company’s designers for this and not burying these functions under multiple menus.

Sunday

There’s no doubting the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross is more workhorse than show pony when it comes to the way it drives, but there is an endearing honesty in that. This feels like a pickup that will get you there and back in a no fuss, no drama manner. It also turned in a very respectable 30.7mpg during my time with it, which is only 0.7mpg off the claimed official combined economy.