Isuzu D-Max Steel Edition Saves The Day

The late afternoon light was fading fast as we crept into the early evening. I was hunched over my laptop at the kitchen table when the phone rang. It was Daisy, my eldest daughter, and the sound of panic in her voice sent a jolt through me. Between choked sobs, she managed to explain – she’d been in an accident. Her beloved 2010 Fiat Panda, her first car that’d taken her on its fair share of adventures, was now on its side in a farmer’s field, and she was still in it.

Now, Daisy’s a chip off the old block and loves driving and the freedom that comes with it. Since she got her license, it feels like her little Panda hasn’t stopped. No, she wasn’t on her phone and no she wasn’t speeding. She has a black box and the app locks her phone when she is driving and also monitors her speed.

This wasn’t a case of reckless abandon; it was a classic case of bad luck. Dark, rainy conditions conspired with a dash of inexperience. I think she clipped a verge and overcorrected and suddenly the world went sideways for her.

Fortunately, I just happened to have the mighty Isuzu D-Max Steel Edition on test at the time. When I arrived at the scene, Daisy was shaken but thankfully unharmed. Her mum, mum’s partner and Daisy’s boyfriend had already managed to wrestle the Panda back onto its wheels, revealing the extent of the damage – a rather unfortunate encounter with a hedge and a subsequent roll in a field.

The Panda, with its valiant efforts now over, was clearly headed for car Valhalla. But there was a more immediate problem: getting it out of the muddy field. Daisy’s boyfriend’s plucky Suzuki Jimny, bless its heart, just wasn’t up to the task. Enter the D-Max Steel Edition, a beast in a stylish grey suit.

The Steel Edition’s road-focused tyres weren’t ideal for this mud bath, but that’s where the truck’s electronic wizardry came in. With a flick of a switch, I engaged low-range 4WD and locked the rear diff. Hooked up the tow rope and the D-Max effortlessly yanked the battered Panda up the muddy incline and over the banked edge of the field, pulling it back to solid ground.

After a quick damage assessment, we decided to tow it back to its final resting place at her mum’s house, leaving us with a story to tell and a newfound appreciation for the D-Max’s off-road prowess.

This truck might look good on the road, but it’s a true mud-slinging workhorse when the going gets tough.

A few days later, I was itching to test the D-Max’s off-road mettle. So, I linked up with a group of friendly folks from the Green Lane Association in Northampton. Led by the affable Colin Villette, the Northants branch is a bunch of like-minded enthusiasts who respect the countryside and its inhabitants.

They kindly invited me to join them for a muddy adventure on the local lanes. As a professional organisation, they know the best spots and the optimal times to visit and are always ready to lend a hand.

Colin led the way, guiding us through a variety of challenging terrains. From crossing streams to navigating muddy trenches, rocky inclines, and slippery descents, the D-Max handled it all with ease.

Initially, I was a bit apprehensive, seeing a couple of modified Land Rovers in the group. But the standard D-Max surprised me. It tackled everything with confidence, except for the deeper, stickier mud where the road-biased tyres struggled for grip. Otherwise, the D-Max was an absolute beast!

The Isuzu D-Max Steel Edition is a special edition version of the popular Isuzu D-Max pickup truck. It is based on the V-Cross model and comes with a unique Steel Grey Mica paint job and a range of bespoke accessories. Limited to just 300 units, this premium pickup is very well-appointed and exclusive.

You can easily spot the Steel edition with its grey mica paint job, dark grey wheel arch extensions, 18” alloy wheels, roof rails, Isuzu emblem on the tailgate and Steel logo on the side. It’s a subtle yet strong look.

Inside, the Steel edition features embossed Steel headrests, LED scuff plates and illuminated puddle lamps that shine the Steel logo onto the floor under the doors. Interestingly, the Steel edition scores a maximum five-star safety rating in the Euro NCAP test. Impressive stuff.

This limited-edition D-Max isn’t just about looks—it’s a serious off-roader. With a 1-tonne payload, 3.5-tonne towing capacity and a wading depth of 800mm, it’s ready to tackle any challenge. Plus, with a 5-year warranty, you can rest easy knowing you’re covered.

But don’t let its rugged exterior fool you. Bi-LED automatic headlights, windscreen wipers, parking sensors, and an excellent reversing camera make it as easy to drive as any modern car, albeit a bit larger. It’s the perfect blend of style and substance.

The side steps and keyless entry allow for easy access to the well-appointed cabin, where leather upholstery and an electrically adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support awaits, ensuring maximum driver comfort.

Once inside you would be forgiven for thinking you were in a luxury SUV, with dual-zone climate control and a 9″ touchscreen with DAB, Bluetooth®, Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ providing entertainment. It’s not the the best sound quality I’ve ever heard, but not the worst either.

In years gone by, a pickup wasn’t the most civilised mode of transport, but times have changed. I’ve always loved driving pickups and they’ve become increasingly sophisticated. Isuzu have really outdone themselves with the latest D-Max V-Cross. It’s packed with a suite of advanced driver-assistance systems that are a match for any modern car.

You’ll find adaptive cruise control (adaptive on auto only), forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking, traffic sign recognition with intelligent speed limiter, lane departure warning and prevention, lane keep assist (auto only), and even a system to prevent accidental pedal misapplication (auto only). Plus, there’s blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a sway control system that detects and mitigates trailer sway.

There’s something undeniably freeing about driving a pickup truck. The relaxed pace, the open road, the feeling of limitless possibilities – A pickup truck is the key to unlocking a world of adventure and convenience. Its laid-back driving style and rugged versatility make it the perfect companion for any journey. Whether you’re exploring off-road or simply cruising about, a pickup offers both comfort and capability. With spacious seating for five and a generous cargo bed, it’s the ultimate adventure vehicle.

For more information on the Green Lane Association, click here; //glass-uk.org/about/our-code-of-conduct.html

4×4 Double Cab

Fuel Type Diesel

Engine Capacity 1898cc

Fuel Tank Capacity Litres 76

Net Power 162bhp @ 3600

Torque 360Nm @ 2000 – 2500rpm

Maximum Speed 112mph

Acceleration (0-62mph) 12.7 sec (13 sec Auto)

Combined Fuel Consumption 33.6 mpg (30.7 mpg Auto)

CO2 emissions 220 g/km (241 g/km Auto)

Emissions Class Euro 6D

Kerb Weight kg 2000 kg (2030 kg Auto)

Gross Vehicle Weight 3100 kg

Payload*2 1100 kg (1070 kg Auto)

Max Front Axle 1450 kg

Max Rear Axle 1910 kg

Trailer Weight Braked 3500 kg

Trailer Weight Unbraked 750 kg

Nose Weight 245 kg

Gross Train Weight 6000 kg

Price £38,495 Manual £39,995 Auto

Leave a Reply