With Isuzu D-Max V-Cross, the first thing that hit me was the sheer size of the truck. The thing is massive and made my Innova look like a hatchback parked next to it. We are talking about a vehicle that measures 5,295 mm in length, 1,860 mm in height and 1,840 mm in width.
To put that in perspective, my Innova measures 4,555 mm in length, 1,750 mm in height and 1,770 mm in width. Basically, if you thought the Innova is big, then the V-Cross is a giant.
Looks
In terms of how the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross looks, there is nothing quite like it out there. It’s got clean lines that give it a big, bold stance. The front of this beast is dominated by large headlights with projector headlamps and a large single slat grille finished in chrome with a big ‘ISUZU’ badge in the centre.
While the pronounced wheel arches add some muscle, it is only when they are viewed from the side that you can truly make out its extraordinary size. The back looks like most other pick-up trucks. However, the tailgate gets a glamorous touch with dashes of chrome and a large ‘ISUZU’ sticker across it.
Other elements that add to the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross’ looks are the neat roof rails, scratch-resistant plastic flooring and the sides in the load bay, not to mention the six-spoke 16-inch alloys that run 245/70 R16 tubeless tyres.
There is no clutter or a billion buttons to deal with and the clean no-nonsense approach to design and layout has been applied here as well. The driving position gives you a commanding view of the road ahead even though you aren’t seated upright like most SUVs. The rear bench gets loads of leg space and also offers a 60:40 split.
What you essentially get is a no-nonsense pick-up truck that is built like a tank and doesn’t mind the rough stuff. That being said, it will still turn heads while being driven around town.
Power
The Isuzu D-Max V-Cross comes with a 2,499cc, 4 cylinder, Common Rail, VGS turbo intercooled diesel engine that makes a healthy 134 hp @ 3600 rpm and offers 320Nm torque between 1800-2800 rpm.
The engine is a refined mill and while there is a bit of diesel clatter, the sound is minimal. The engine is mated to a 5 speed manual gearbox that offers smooth shifts. You also get a shift-on-the-fly 4WD system.
As far as mileage is concerned, we managed to get a respectable 11 kmpl over the course of driving it around, which included a lot of city driving, some basic off-roading and a bit of a highway run.
To keep things safe, the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross comes with dual airbags, ABS, EBD and BA (brake assist) and is built on Isuzu’s all-new Gravity Response Intelligent Platform.
The Drive
Driving the V-Cross is an experience in itself. You can immediately feel the weight and the size of the vehicle; however you grow accustomed to that soon. The vehicle feels a tad bit sluggish as you pull out, however once the turbo kicks in, you can really get it to hustle.
Even while using it to commute around the city, I didn’t find it cumbersome or ‘too big’ to manage. The only challenge was finding a parking spot big enough to fit it in, but while on the move, it is quite easy to forget that you are, in fact, navigating such a large vehicle through traffic. The suspension soaks up the undulations with ease and while the rear is a little skippy, thanks to the leaf springs at the rear, the vehicle never loses its composure.
Having said that, the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross isn’t meant for the city. A vehicle like this belongs out in the open.
The possibilities that it tosses up are endless – go camping, go fishing, go on an expedition to the Himalayas – all of this is made possible by a vehicle that can offer a comfortable ride, while also being able to carry 265 kilograms of luggage in the load deck.
The massive amount of ground clearance that the V-Cross offers means you can traverse the roughest of terrains without fear. You have the 4WD system to rely on for those tricky situations.
Verdict
The Isuzu D-Max V-Cross 4×4 is the ultimate adventure vehicle that is currently available in the country. If exploring the great outdoors is your thing, then you can close your eyes and put your money down on this.
(Vikram Gour is one of India’s renowned automotive journalists and the Co-Founder of MotorScribes. He can be reached on Twitter: @VikramGour)
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