Isuzu D-Max pickup - MPG, running costs & CO2

With a list price that starts at around £31,000 before VAT for the ‘premium’ versions and just over £21,000 if you want a utilitarian workhorse, the Isuzu D-Max is a cheap pickup to buy.

Whichever version you choose, all D-Max models are considered to be commercial vehicles, so if you purchase one through a VAT-registered business, you won’t pay any VAT. Of course, if you're a private buyer, those starting prices start to sound a bit more expensive once you add on 20% VAT.

Isuzu D-Max MPG & CO2

Just one engine is available in the D-Max range, although the D-Max DL20, DL40 and V-Cross models have the option of an automatic gearbox. The automatic not only costs more to buy than the manual but it’s also more expensive to run, even if it is well suited to the truck. The Utility base model gets the option of two or four-wheel drive.

With the six-speed manual gearbox, the D-Max can return a claimed 33.6mpg, which isn’t too bad for a pickup, although that’ll vary according to how you drive and how much cargo you carry. CO2 emissions stand at 220g/km. Adding an automatic gearbox to four-wheel-drive models reduces economy to 30.7mpg and pushes CO2 up to 241g/km. Road tax is a flat rate of £260. As of 2021, the D-Max now needs AdBlue top-ups to meet strict emissions regulations; this’ll be part of scheduled servicing but you may need to top up between visits to the garage.

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Warranty

The Isuzu D-Max comes with a five-year warranty, which is typical for a pickup such as this. But the total mileage you can cover (125,000 miles) is longer than what most manufacturers allow. It’s worth noting that the warranty period is made up of a three-year/60,000-mile manufacturer warranty that Isuzu UK tops up to the full five-year/125,000-mile period.

Servicing

The Isuzu D-Max requires a service every 12,000 miles or two years, whichever comes first. Isuzu offers a three-year service plan for £500 (+VAT), which it claims could save you up to £1,000 over three years.

Insurance

Insurance groups for the D-Max are set between 39 and 40 out of 50, which is a little higher than the equivalent Nissan Navara (groups 36-38), although not by enough to make it a deal-breaker.