MODEL ON TEST: DOUBLE CAB V-CROSS AUTOMATIC – MILEAGE – 5,749

IT seems like all the talk about the Isuzu D-Max is centred around how capable it is off-road. Having done some green-laning in our car, I certainly concur with that. However, did you know the D-Max also boasts a five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating? In fact, I’d say if safety is a key concern, it’s one of its biggest selling points. Ours is in range-topping V-Cross trim and, as a result, it gets the full suite of advanced driver assistance systems. So, after more than four months behind the wheel, how many of these features have I experienced, and what’s my opinion of them?

AT Pedal Misapplication Mitigation is the first of the Isuzu’s driver assistance features I’ve encountered. It has only been triggered when the D-Max’s front camera has detected a nearby obstacle – such as another vehicle – that it believes is too close.Theresult is an alert on both the central infotainment screen and the driver’s display, accompanied by a temporarily unresponsive accelerator pedal. It’s a useful feature that feels like Autonomous Emergency Braking without quite the same level of intervention.

With its vocal 1.9-litre diesel engine and sometimes unsettled ride, you’d think it would be difficult to feel sleepy behind the wheel of this Isuzu. Well, yes, but I’ve found its Attention Assist system to be a good judge of when it’s time to stop for a break on long journeys. It works by monitoring steering inputs, speed consistency and lane positioning. During the first part of a drive, the system uses sensors to learn your normal steering behaviour, speed consistency and lane positioning. If any of these change noticeably during the journey, a visual warning appears on the instrument cluster,accompanied by an audible alert. In my opinion, it’s a genuinely useful safety feature.

The Autonomous Emergency Braking system has been triggered a few times, mostly because I believe the sensors are a little over-sensitive. As a result, it’s always a bit of a shock when this pick- up brings itself to a sharp stop, but I’d much rather it was fitted for the one time it really matters.The Blind Spot Monitor and Emergency Lane Keeping features seem to work together on our D-Max, so I’ve grouped them here. The Blind Spot Monitor uses sensors mounted at the rear of the vehicle. If another vehicle enters your blind spot,an indicator illuminates in the corresponding door mirror. If you still activate the indicator to change lanes, the Emergency Lane Keeping system intervenes by applying a firm steering correction. In my view, the Emergency Lane Keeping system is a little too sensitive, correcting my lane position more often than necessary. I’ve found it more of an annoyance than a benefit.

On longer trips, the safety feature I’ve used most is Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control (IACC). It works much like the systems I’ve experienced in other vehicles, and I’ve been impressed that the technology performs just as well in a pick-up. It automatically adjusts your cruising speed to maintain a safe gap to the vehicle ahead, while also monitoring traffic signs and speed limits. My only criticism is that it’s rather fiddly to activate using the buttons on the multi-function steering wheel.

Finally, I can’t finish without mentioning what I believe is the D-Max’s most useful day-to-day safety feature: Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Braking. Let’s be honest, the D-Max is a large vehicle, although it’s impressively manoeuvrable in tight car parks. However, despite the standard rear- view camera, it isn’t always easy to spot vehicles approaching from either side when reversing out of a parking spaces.The rear sensors are excellent at detecting potential hazards, providing both a visual warning on the camera display and directional arrows showing which side the vehicle is approaching from. I genuinely believe the system has saved me from expensive repair bills, as it has proved to be right more often than I have.

MARTYN COLLINS

WHAT’S HOT: Exceptional standard safety features.

WHAT’S NOT: It often feels slow and unresponsive at low speed.

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FACTS & FIGURES

ARRIVED: 14th March 2026

PRICE WHEN NEW: £49,594 (including VAT)

PRICE AS TESTED: £54,848 (including VAT)

ECONOMY: 31.4mpg (official WLTP) 31.0mpg (on test)

COSTS: None

FAULTS: None