Since launching in Australia in 2008 with its Holden Colorado-based D-Max pick-up, Isuzu Ute Australia (IUA) has struck a chord with local buyers who want a reliable, no-nonsense ute that can keep up with the best the segment has to offer.

The second-generation version continued the rugged and reliable theme, with the brand achieving double-digit sales growth for every one of its first 10 years on sale.

With the arrival of a new decade comes the all-new, third-generation version, which the brand says has resulted in vast improvements to safety and refinement.

So how does the new-generation D-Max stack up against the competition.