Little did we know, that Isuzu’s humble little blue-collar worker pickup truck, the legendary D-Max, is one of the best off-roaders that money can buy. Since its inception, the D-Max has formed a robust reputation for go-anywhere motoring, from helping polar expeditions to climbing over entire mountains, and it makes for a great camper, too. Well, if you’re not already spoiled for options, Isuzu has a new, off-road-focused special edition D-Max variant, the aptly named D-Max Mudmaster. Based on the D-Max V-Cross trim, the Mudmaster provides hardy off-road features for 4×4 enthusiasts, but without sacrificing daily driveable comfort.
Best of all, what you’re seeing here isn’t a concept car, either. Coming to Isuzu showrooms in the very near future, the D-Max Mudmaster will start from £36,495 for the 6-speed manual variant, or £38,495 to get the 6-speed automatic gearbox. Alternatively, if you already have a D-Max, instead of ordering a brand-new Mudmaster, you could buy those accessories that make up the Mudmaster from Isuzu’s UK dealers. Speaking of, Isuzu did pack the D-Max with a tonne of new off-roading-specific features to give the regular D-Max that much more capability. So, was it all worth it, or should you just stick with the aftermarket?
The Best From-The-Factory Off-Roader?
The beating heart of the D-Max gets a new accessory with the Mudmaster edition, courtesy of an ARB Safari Snorkel. This should neatly elevate the air intake for deep-water crossings. And since you’re wading through rivers and streams anyway, the PEDDERS Off-Road Suspension Kit provides the Mudmaster with a 1.75-inch lift. But, just in case the added ground clearance isn’t enough to get you over taller obstacles, the integrated COMEUP Winch could be your lifesaver. The latter is built into the front bumper, and there’s even a lift-up registration plate to hide the winch when it’s not in use. Additionally, further up top, we get an ARB Base Rack.
Mounted on the roof, it ought to offer you ample extra storage space, especially for all that off-road recovery gear and camping essentials. And, since the D-Max is a pickup, Isuzu has thrown in an Alpha XS Top canopy over the truck bed to protect it, which is nice if you plan on using it for extra cargo capacity. Anyone who’s done any amount of off-roading knows just how pivotal good tyres are for trekking over tough terrain, and Isuzu’s made sure you’re covered there, as well. A set of Toyo Open Country A/T III all-terrain off-road tyres are fitted on the Mudmaster to offer more traction when off-roading, alongside those distinctive 20-inch alloy wheels.
It’s The Attention To Detail That Counts
As they say, it’s the attention to detail that counts, and Isuzu has ample amounts of this on the new D-Max Mudmaster. The vast array of accessories bolted onto the regular D-Max includes a set of Lazer Sentinel 7-inch rally-style lamps mounted on the front grille and a Lazer Linear-36 Elite lightbar on the roof. Both of which should be more than bright enough to get you through the dark, and just to be safe, some steel under-guard protection protects your drivetrain from being smashed to bits if you ground it. Furthermore, given how tall the Mudmaster is, the built-in lifted side steps make ingress and egress easier, without compromising ground clearance.
Given how tough the going gets when you’re driving off the beaten path, Isuzu has fitted the Mudmaster with a plethora of protective cladding. Noteworthy examples include the bonnet protector to shield you from debris like stone chips, and those otherwise exposed door handles also get a plastic cover over them to protect from scratches. Elsewhere, you might notice those fender lips, which expand the wheel arches to fit those wide tyres and protect the bodywork from debris. There’s a lot more to the new D-Max Mudmaster that I’ve barely mentioned here, but if you’d like to check it out yourself, your local Isuzu dealer might have one in stock!
