2019 Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Review: A New Lease Of Life For A Lifestyle Pickup Truck

Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Overview: Top Models

The Isuzu D-Max V-Cross is currently retailed in India in three variants, which are as follows:

Pick-up trucks are often known as utilitarian vehicles but in India, due to the unpopularity of this body type, Isuzu has positioned its D-Max V-Cross as a lifestyle vehicle. The Isuzu D-Max V-Cross in the country has been quite a cult off-roader ever since it was launched back in 2016. In its 2019 edition, the V-Cross has witnessed the carmaker’s endeavour to freshen up the package and received quite a bunch of design and feature tweaks without touching the prices.

For many, the D-Max V-Cross has not been what they could call success in India. However, during the past few years, the V-Cross has contributed largely to the increasing popularity of pickup trucks among buyers who are in the market for a lifestyle vehicle that can actually do off-road. What makes the Isuzu V-Max D-Cross a real beast? Let’s find out in the 2019 Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Review.

Isuzu D-Max V-Cross 360 View: Exterior Review

2019 Isuzu D-Max V-Cross comes with a bunch of cosmetic revisions on the outside that have made the lifestyle pickup truck more aggressive than the outgoing model. The Isuzu D-Max V-Cross is typically a ladder-frame enormous pick-up truck that towers over other sedans, hatchbacks and even some crop of compact SUVs in India.

Front View

The biggest changes to the 2019 Isuzu D-Max V-Cross is in its face. The first impression on the front face of the car is the headlamps that look a lot angrier and more aggressive than the previous unit. The bumper is beefy and complemented by the sharp-looking angular fog lamp housings that gets a dash of chrome inserts.

Talking about chrome, there is plenty all around the pickup truck, including the new sharper grille to the bi-LED headlamps. The chrome detailing is carried on the headlamps that make it look like part of the continuous large grille. The L-shaped LED daytime running lamps also add even more to the sportier look of the vehicle.

Side View

The massive length of the V-Cross is, of course, best expressed over the side profile of the model. While sitting on a set of multi-spoke 18-inch alloys, the big gaps to the wheel arches are still easy to notice. The D-Max V-Cross also comes with a new step-board that sits more flush in either side than before. There’s also a new shark-fin antenna and roof rails on the roof of the vehicle.

Rear View

The rear end of the V-Cross remains the same as before and typical for a pickup truck. The taillamps also get some LED treatments, the tailgate gets several badges and ISUZU lettering. There’s also a chunky chrome bumper at the back that makes the rear profile a tad busy. The trunk of the car that boasts as many as 235 kilos of load carry capacity, remains uncovered while the bed cladding is finished in lined plastic.

Overall, from the exterior view, the 2019 Isuzu D-Max V-Cross gives us a more premium and upmarket feel.

Isuzu D-max V-Cross Dimensions: Length, Width, Height & More

The D-Max V-Cross Pickup Truck is known for its great street presence thanks to its proportionate body cell. In fact, the V-Cross has been rocking some of the largest dimensions we have ever seen in yet of any cars on sale in India.

The Isuzu D-Max V-Cross is obviously massive in terms of dimensions. It measures up to 5,295 mm in length that makes it even longer than a Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The car also gets 1,860 mm in height, 1,855 mm in height along with the wheelbase of 3,095 mm, all of which are totally intimidating figures ever. With these numbers, the Isuzu V-Cross will certainly manage to turn every head on the place it goes to but note that the massive length of the car might be sometimes a bit hard to get used to.

Isuzu D-max V-Cross Design: Interior Review

The premium sentiment is carried forward on the inside of the car as well. The earlier dual-tone finish has been replaced by an all-black interior them which also enhances the premium quotient of the car indeed. The cabin layout is largely the same as before but for a more premium feeling with some plush leather panels on the dash, above the instrument cluster as well as on the armrests of the doors. The seats now feature carbon-fibre like weave on the central portion, giving the car a nice touch.

Infotainment & Comfort Features

The touchscreen infotainment system of the 2019 Isuzu V-Cross remains untouched and feels a bit basic for some. There’s no smartphone connectivity barring AUX or Bluetooth on the V-Cross. That’s quite understandable for an off-road-oriented car as what we look forward more is how it performs on the road and off it. Nevertheless, the audio quality is now improved by the infusion of extra speakers. There are ORVM adjustment switches placed behind the steering so you need much concentration to operate them on the way. The top-spec trim is even offered with sporty dark brown leather seats.

Seating Capacity

The Isuzu D-Max V-Cross can seat 5 people comfortably and provides quite an ample space for them on the inside. The Isuzu D-Max V-Cross comes with power driver’s seat and rear bench seats provide much room for the knees, ensuring that passenger can feel comfortable enough on the long-distanced commutes.

Safety and Security Features

The new V-Cross makes sure to keep its occupants in command and protection with a range of safety features on board. The safety features of the V-Cross include dual front airbags, hill-start assist (HSA), front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters, driver & passenger seatbelt warning, traction control, vehicle stability control, crash sensor, rear camera, etc. The Z Prestige trim even gets hill descent control brake override system.

Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Performance: Engine Review

The 2019 V-Cross is powered by two diesel engine options, including a newly-employed 1.9-litre turbocharged diesel mill and a 2.5-litre unit. Output figures stand at around 150 PS of power and 350 Nm for the 1.9-litre engine together with 136 PS/370 Nm of torque for the 2.5-litre version.

Like the 2.5-litre engine, the 1.9-litre diesel burner also gets the support from a four-wheel-drive drivetrain setup. Both the motors are still in BSIV guise but the smaller one is expected to replace the 2.5-litre motor in the BSVI era before April 2020. Particularly, the new 1.9-litre engine of the car comes with a 6-speed automatic gearbox that offers good handling on the roads, especially for the stop-and-go drives. The other engine is still equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission.

Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Mileage: Is It Fuel Efficient?

The ARAI-rated fuel mileage figures of the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross is at around 12.4 kmpl for both manual and automatic versions. For a pickup truck, the fuel economy of the V-Cross is pretty decent. In a mixed highway and city driving, we could get the fuel mileage of around 11.6 kmpl. However, that could be higher when we drive extensively on the highway.

Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Price: Is It Affordable?

Currently, the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross is priced at Rs 16.54 – 19.99 Lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). In fact, at this price range, the D-Max V-Cross turns to be more expensive as compared to other SUVs in India and for some who are in a tight budget. In such cases, you can opt for a used Isuzu D-Max V-Cross in the second-hand car market to find a good competent car at cheaper prices.

Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Colours: How Many Options?

The D-Max V-Cross is available with 8 different colours including cosmic black, sapphire black, splash white, silky pearl white, ruby, titanium silver, obsidian grey and sapphire blue.

Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Verdict: Is The Model Worth Buying?

Like I said earlier, the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross seems to be quite a costly affair. However, considering the decent qualities it does offer on the table, the V-Cross is totally worth considering. If you are bored with the same old SUVs and in needs of carrying more cargo on the trips, the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross is none other than a better choice. In case money is no object for you, the V-Cross could be a tough-as-nails 4x4 car that is replete with utility and capability. It can even take you to the places that few other SUVs can’t with a proper engine and an automatic gearbox. So it’s the price that we won’t mind paying for.

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