IF ISUZU had launched its new D-Max before the latest Ford Ranger, Mazda BT-50 and all-new Volkswagen Amarok, it would have signified a significant shift in the one-tonne ute market.

However with such strong competition, the Japanese company had to pull something special out of the bag with its Thai-built truck, which still shares much with Holden’s competent Colorado but is now built in a separate factory.

We don’t think the D-Max compares that well for road manners with the likes of the Ranger and Amarok but there is plenty to like about the top-spec version of this tough truck, especially compared to the Colorado.

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