test drives

By Tim Saunders

A really useful vehicle. That’s what the Isuzu D-MAX V-Cross pick up truck is and it is no surprise that it won the Best Pick Up Truck of the Year in the What Van? Awards 2023.

I have a lot of green waste that has been piling up over the summer and this is an ideal opportunity to take it to the tip. It takes me a little while to understand how to operate the top lid cover on the load bay because I initially think it’s a roll top but it isn’t, it simply pops up like a car boot lid. When I do finally figure it out there’s a nice large space, which swallows lots of my bagged up hedge cuttings. Two journeys are all that’s required to clear my pile.

The D-Max pick-up truck, reminiscent of the one on popular ‘80s US TV drama, The Fall Guy, has the cool factor. It also allows me to help my elderly mother-in-law whose overgrown garden we’ve tidied up. She has plenty of cuttings to get rid of so we use the Isuzu to dispose of these at her local tip.

Thanks for your help D-Max.

“These are popular in the countryside,” says Graham, the delivery driver. “Especially among farmers.” I can see how budget conscious landowners would prefer this over a considerably more expensive and lower down Land Rover or Range Rover.

“It’s even got roof lamps, which they say are excellent for spotting rabbits.” I can’t figure out how to operate these.

It’s equipped with switchable four wheel drive – you just turn a dial. Powering four wheels uses more fuel so everyday road driving is best done on two wheel drive.

It’s a big, tall beast, taking up the best part of my driveway, and commanding respect from other road users. There’s no tailgating this vehicle when you dare to do 30mph in a 30mph zone. Being an automatic, it is very easy to drive and although there’s a push button start, to my delight, there is a traditional handbrake rather than a silly little switch for an electric one as is so often the case these days. It feels heavy duty for tough work.

The cabin is finished to a high standard with good quality hardwearing carpet and black leather seats. The children love this vehicle. Henry is especially smitten with it and enjoys opening the rear bay. Those seats are also heated, which I can imagine will be a Godsend for a soaking wet farmer on a cold winter’s day. The double cabin allows for five occupants to travel in comfort. Behind them is a standard size load bed with security cover, large enough for a calf or a few hay bales, I should think.   

It’s a good looking truck and this particular model is fitted with a stone chip protector on the bonnet.

Acceleration and braking remind me of the old Mitsubishi L200, a little jerky and swaying due to the height but you expect that from such a vehicle and it adds to the overall character. In two wheel drive care is required when driving in the wet around roundabouts, I discover, when a little too enthusiastically I accelerate and the off-side front wheel skids but fortunately I’m able to correct this. As a result I select four wheel drive when driving round roundabouts in the wet. The beauty of the system is that you can select four wheel drive while driving up to a speed of about 60mph.

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By Tim Saunders

Every car I drive these days is fitted with a lazy automatic gearbox and an electric handbrake. I’m getting a bit fed up of it.

Thank goodness that Suzuki is still making cars with five speed manuals and traditional handbrakes. I take delivery of the Swift hybrid model just after driving a luxurious Genesis G80 saloon. Which is unfair because I’m bound to make comparisons which will put the little Suzuki at a disadvantage. Or will they? When closing the doors of the little Suzuki they are quite tinny in comparison but I suspect this aids efficiency. Its namesake is a medium-sized aerial bird, which is a superb flyer. The four wheeled version is a hybrid that will travel around 400 miles on a single tank returning about 60mpg. These are attractive figures and can only be dreamed of by the decadent G80 driver.

I drive it to Christchurch and Liphook, which allows me to put it through its paces. The driving position is good although I could do with the seat being a little further back but don’t adjust it because I’ve got three rear passengers in the rear and leg space is a bit tight. When I rest my arm on the driver’s door as I sometimes do, there isn’t enough padding for comfort. This is probably a good thing because it’s a bad habit of mine and I should always have my hands at the ten to two position on the wheel.

The cruise control is intelligent meaning that it tracks the vehicle in front and brakes or accelerates accordingly. Generally, this is pretty reliable and even maintains the desired speed when travelling up or down hill. Gears can be changed without effecting this function.

I love the efficiency of this little car. It’s the only car I’ve driven for a very long time where the range actually increases after I have driven it! Whether I’m driving on the motorway or pootling around country lanes the Swift returns over 61 miles to the gallon. It’s remarkable. It’s a very tiny engine but it’s gutsy and it’s a great little driver’s car that is really enjoyable to throw round bends - floor it and the roar from the 1200cc engine sounds great – reminding the driver of Suzuki’s motorcycling heritage. It sits in the outside lane very comfortably and gives many a car a good run for their money.

It’s interesting to note that the front seats have considerably better padding than in the luxurious Genesis G80 I was previously driving. The black fabric is hardwearing. I like the splash of cream on the dash. The interior is finished to a good standard. This particular model is loaded with goodies and has all the luxuries you might expect of a larger vehicle; heated front seats, all round electric windows, air con, sat nav and alloy wheels. It’s a shame that the DAB function on the radio isn’t very good so we have to resort to FM.  

There’s a good size boot and the lid opens and shuts in the traditional manner of using one’s own muscles rather than pressing a button on a keyfob and waiting. I do appreciate this traditional approach and enjoy it. Many manufacturers are constantly thrusting technology upon the motorist. It is pleasing that Suzuki has drawn a line, as I would, and incorporated some technology but not gone overboard. It’s important to treat the motorist as a human being. Thank you Suzuki.

Externally it’s attractive. This model is finished in burgundy. “I prefer the front to the back,” says eldest daughter Harriett (13) who has an eye for design, which is always a subjective thing.

It’s interesting that while driving this car, I spot countless Suzukis on the road. I’ve never seen so many.

Overall it’s a competent, frugal, low emission, five door hatchback and I’ll be sad to see it go.

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