Dust till dawn: 2024 ISUZU D-Max 1.9 X-Rider 4×4 review

Yet, it’s not the 2024 ISUZU D-Max 1.9 X-Rider 4×4 that’s top of mind right now. But rather this breathtaking lunar-like vista that spans before me on Freedom Day, of all days. I never thought I’d be so appreciative to be sat on a nameless road, draped along the side of a vast mountain range. Talk about freedom. In the Cederberg, you’re overcome with the miraculous notion you could very well be the last person on earth. On this stretch of remote road, there must be no one else around for at least a hundred kilometres.

It’s certainly where I’d flee to, being just 240 km from Cape Town CBD, if a contagion were to infect Mzansi’s major metros. A fact that seems curiously under-appreciated considering how wonderfully secluded it is. There’s beauty to tickle every ocular rod and cone. And there’s a ruggedness to the landscape that elevates it beyond a rank-and-file day trip. Therefore, it’s a fine location to assess the new 2024 ISUZU D-Max 1.9 X-Rider 4×4.

2024 ISUZU D-MAX 1.9 X-RIDER 4X4

The Japanese bakkie and body-on-frame SUV maker, with a manufacturing concern in the Eastern Cape, has been on a path of transformation over the last few years. Key to its brilliant commercial success is a high level of local content in its cars. Therefore, it’s no surprise that the D-Max bakkie is a regular top performer in Naamsa’s monthly sales reports. Ever since ISUZU split from General Motors more than a decade ago, it’s become agile enough to revolutionise its construction systems.

Without a massive corporate overlord, it can shorten lead times, make smarter business decisions and an end product that’s more locally relevant and commercially viable. Therefore, the 2024 ISUZU D-Max 1.9 X-Rider we’re evaluating displays a rare and rewarding kind of purity in how it goes about its business. For ISUZU, the D-Max 1.9 X-Rider represents the essence of a double-cab bakkie. Simple, pared down, no frills, and it’s all the better for it.

TORTOISE TO THE HARE

We skip along the Cederberg’s corrugated tracks, up steep hills, down gravelly dales with long views and distant summits of the Sneeuberge filling the windscreen. The 2024 ISUZU D-Max 1.9 X-Rider feels up for anything, like a proper adventure bakkie should. In the cabin, there’s not so much as a sqwink from the dashboard or a judder from the dashboard. That’s saying something on this rough stretch of gravel track.  

Truthfully, there are some vibrations from the 1.9-litre turbodiesel motor, pared to a six-speed automatic. Especially at start-up and during acceleration, but they’re more subdued when you’re moving at highway speeds. 110 kW and 350 Nm of torque may not sound like a lot, but there’s a wealth of response in the correct torque band. It’s got the feel of a workhorse once you get going. It won’t mind toiling away all day (with a 2 100 kg braked towing capacity, too) and thanking you for it later. ISUZU claims it’ll consume 6.9 l/100 km on the combined cycle, however, ours settled on 9.0 l/100 km and didn’t shift from there.

TOUGH AS NAILS

While it’s certainly not the fastest double cab in Mzansi – a zero to 100 km/h sprint took 13 seconds – thankfully, this affable bakkie shows great talents in soaking up the roughest roads in the Cederberg. The General Tire all-terrain tyres show sophistication (and quiet), and excel on all surfaces.

Beyond Du Toitskloof, Michell’s and Gydo passes, our route 650 km roundtrip route took us off the R303 at Dorp Op Die Berg. This is where the 2024 ISUZU D-Max 1.9 X-Rider starts to leave the day trippers behind. Heading East, past the wonderful Mount Cedar and Kromrivier resorts – navigating kilometre after kilometre of stunning mountain scenery – I must suppress the urge to stop at every single panoramic spot.

REMOTE LOCATIONS

It gets so remote that Google Maps – running seamlessly through the vehicle’s Apple CarPlay – has no name for the road we’re on. But it runs parallel to the R303 to Citrusdal and the infamously arrow-straight R355 to Calvinia. After hanging a left at the Matjiesrivier Nature Reserve, it’s not long until we enter what feels like the heart of the Cederberg.

In the vicinity of David Nieuwoudt’s stunning Cederberg Wines, you’re surrounded on all flanks by mountains with fantastical rock formations. And vineyards. For anyone visiting, it’s an ideal base for hiking to landmarks such as Tafelberg, Sneeuberg, the Maltese Cross and Panorama caves. And sipping on a crisp glass of white wine when you’re done.

OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

We go off-piste to explore various farm side roads in the 2024 ISUZU D-Max 1.9 X-Rider 4×4 with its useful 225-mm ground clearance. Occasionally we flick the on-the-fly drive selector into 4H, to make lighter work of the sandy farm tracks. There’s one particularly tricky dry riverbed crossing where the AT tyres earn their keep and keep us from getting stuck. Of course, you can have your D-Max 1.9 X-Rider in 4×2 or 4×4, and manual or automatic transmission. The base-spec 4×2 manual is the cheapest at R640 500.

We absolutely loved the previous generation’s X-Rider 4×4 manual and found it an absolute riot on a 4×4 course. Sadly, this time around, your only options are 4×2 and 4×4 with the six-speed automatic cog-swapper. These retail for R659 200 (4×2 auto) and R740 400 for our test unit respectively.

THE VERDICT

We feared the new 2024 ISUZU D-Max 1.9 X-Rider would be severely outgunned by newer, more powerful double cabs built in South Africa. But as the sun sets and shadows grew on our dusty Cederberg adventure, we’re proven wrong. ISUZU’s all-new D-Max 1.9 X-Rider has eye-catching styling to sweeten the deal for most punters. But beyond the enhanced aesthetics, there’s a host of positives to enjoy. Like the impressive toughness, build quality, comfy cabin and infinitely useful clearances. If you go ahead and buy a 2024 ISUZU D-Max 1.9 X-Rider 4×4, just promise us one thing – you’ll endeavour to drive it on as little tarmac as possible.

THE FIGURES

• Best for: Honest, humble, robust.
• Not so sure: Only adequate performance.
• 2024 ISUZU D-Max 1.9 X-Rider 4×4 auto
• Engine: 1 898 cc 4-cyl turbodiesel
• Power: 110 kW, 350 Nm
• Performance: 13.05 sec 0-100 km/h (tested)
• Gearbox: 6-speed automatic
• Economy: 9.0 l/100 km (tested), 6.9 l/100 km (claimed/combined)
• Tyres: General Tire 265/60/R18
• Price: R740 400

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