Toyota Hilux or Isuza D-Max?
Discussion
Hello all,
I wonder if anyone has first hand experience of both a Toyota Hilux and Isuzu D-Max - which would you recommend?
I'm looking at a dealer demo of both, so 2025 models. It'd be used for towing and as a family car for three of us, covering around 12k miles per year. I'm a private buyer.
We're quite 'outdoorsy' so I like the idea of having a load bed for muddy bikes, boots etc. Obviously I'm only looking at a double cab and want something which apart from servicing and maintenance will be reliable.
Styling wise, there's not much in it for me, both look good in my opinion and both seem to be well equipped in their higher specs.
We live in a rural area, down an unpaved track and we regularly get snow every winter, so 4x4 is very useful.
Any experience of either truck and recommendations would be great.
Thanks all
I wonder if anyone has first hand experience of both a Toyota Hilux and Isuzu D-Max - which would you recommend?
I'm looking at a dealer demo of both, so 2025 models. It'd be used for towing and as a family car for three of us, covering around 12k miles per year. I'm a private buyer.
We're quite 'outdoorsy' so I like the idea of having a load bed for muddy bikes, boots etc. Obviously I'm only looking at a double cab and want something which apart from servicing and maintenance will be reliable.
Styling wise, there's not much in it for me, both look good in my opinion and both seem to be well equipped in their higher specs.
We live in a rural area, down an unpaved track and we regularly get snow every winter, so 4x4 is very useful.
Any experience of either truck and recommendations would be great.
Thanks all
Just from experience through shopping for a pick up for my father, IMO the Isuzu is more agricultural than the others and the Toyota will likely hold more value.The Toyota does come with a bit of reputation for build quality following the classic Top Gear video and that appears to have stuck with it to some extent. He ended up with a Ranger in the end as it was a bit more luxurious inside, more car like and contained less builder-proof plastic.
Hi all,
Thanks for the replies. Seems the general consensus is for the Toyota, although I will go and test drive both.
In answer to what i drive now - a 2014 Landrover Defender 90 and a 2022 Ford Transit Custom (campervan conversion). I also have a Landrover Series 3, but this is really only used occasionally and never for commuting. The pickup would replace the Defender 90.
Interesting comment about the Land Cruiser. Is this the latest model they've just released? I guess that's what I do now with my Defender, albeit, I'm sure a Land Cruiser (especially a newer one) would be much more comfortable and spacious.
Thanks all,
Thanks for the replies. Seems the general consensus is for the Toyota, although I will go and test drive both.
In answer to what i drive now - a 2014 Landrover Defender 90 and a 2022 Ford Transit Custom (campervan conversion). I also have a Landrover Series 3, but this is really only used occasionally and never for commuting. The pickup would replace the Defender 90.
Interesting comment about the Land Cruiser. Is this the latest model they've just released? I guess that's what I do now with my Defender, albeit, I'm sure a Land Cruiser (especially a newer one) would be much more comfortable and spacious.
Thanks all,
I borrowed an Isuzu recently for towing as the usual tow car was out of action. I felt that with a large open bed trailer on the back with a medium sized car, that it was a little under-powered. The tyres were quite noisy and the steering wheel was too chunky to be comfortable over a 500 mile journey. The gear ratios weren't quite right either.
However, it was easy to drive and manoever, and I got out after a long day behind the wheel without too many aches and pains.
However, it was easy to drive and manoever, and I got out after a long day behind the wheel without too many aches and pains.
KenJ said:
Interesting comment about the Land Cruiser. Is this the latest model they've just released? I guess that's what I do now with my Defender, albeit, I'm sure a Land Cruiser (especially a newer one) would be much more comfortable and spacious.
Land Cruiser of any generation will be a better drive than the contemporaneous Hilux.Any Hilux in the last 20 years will be far more comfortable and spacious than the reverse Tardis Defender.
Amorok and Ranger are very refined, dare I say nice to drive, at least in V6 and worth a look if ultimate toughness is not a priority
The only Land Cruiser sold new in the UK currently is the 250, which elsewhere in the world is called the Prado, or the baby Land Cruiser (even though it's as big as the last full size Land Cruiser sold here)
It's got roughly the same 2.8L diesel as the Hilux, but it costs an awful lot more.
As for the pickups, drive both, haggle, pick whichever you prefer. The Isuzu should cost you less to buy, but the Hilux should be worth more when you come to sell. The Mitsubishi L200 has traditionally alwyas been the cheapest and best value pickup, especially for lighter duties. Also have a look at the Nissan Navara, Ford Ranger and VW Amarok (not sure how many of these are still sold in the UK, or how much badge engineering is going on)
Think if you really need a pickup though - they drive substantially worse than normal cars, because they're engineered to have so much weight over the rear axle, that you often won't put on it.
If you'd rather stick to Land Rovers, you won't loose a penny in depreciation on a defender 130 double cab. No promises about running costs though.
Also consider the Chinese options, if they're available, Great Walls, whatever else they might have. They will probably be utterly worthless when the time comes to sell them though.
If you fancy a Land Cruiser, have a look at the big Land Rovers too, Discovery 73 (or whatever number theyre on now), Defender 110/130, and see if Jeep sells anything you fancy.
And just for ballance - I highly doubt you actually need half the capability any of these things offer, so check out some of the non-cack smaller SUVs (A few years ago, they'd be the Skoda Yeti, Subaru Forester/Outback, Freelander, Suzukis, etc, but I've no idea what's available now)
It's got roughly the same 2.8L diesel as the Hilux, but it costs an awful lot more.
As for the pickups, drive both, haggle, pick whichever you prefer. The Isuzu should cost you less to buy, but the Hilux should be worth more when you come to sell. The Mitsubishi L200 has traditionally alwyas been the cheapest and best value pickup, especially for lighter duties. Also have a look at the Nissan Navara, Ford Ranger and VW Amarok (not sure how many of these are still sold in the UK, or how much badge engineering is going on)
Think if you really need a pickup though - they drive substantially worse than normal cars, because they're engineered to have so much weight over the rear axle, that you often won't put on it.
If you'd rather stick to Land Rovers, you won't loose a penny in depreciation on a defender 130 double cab. No promises about running costs though.
Also consider the Chinese options, if they're available, Great Walls, whatever else they might have. They will probably be utterly worthless when the time comes to sell them though.
If you fancy a Land Cruiser, have a look at the big Land Rovers too, Discovery 73 (or whatever number theyre on now), Defender 110/130, and see if Jeep sells anything you fancy.
And just for ballance - I highly doubt you actually need half the capability any of these things offer, so check out some of the non-cack smaller SUVs (A few years ago, they'd be the Skoda Yeti, Subaru Forester/Outback, Freelander, Suzukis, etc, but I've no idea what's available now)
LotsOfLaughs said:
The only Land Cruiser sold new in the UK currently is the 250, which elsewhere in the world is called the Prado, or the baby Land Cruiser (even though it's as big as the last full size Land Cruiser sold here)
It's got roughly the same 2.8L diesel as the Hilux, but it costs an awful lot more.
As for the pickups, drive both, haggle, pick whichever you prefer. The Isuzu should cost you less to buy, but the Hilux should be worth more when you come to sell. The Mitsubishi L200 has traditionally alwyas been the cheapest and best value pickup, especially for lighter duties. Also have a look at the Nissan Navara, Ford Ranger and VW Amarok (not sure how many of these are still sold in the UK, or how much badge engineering is going on)
Think if you really need a pickup though - they drive substantially worse than normal cars, because they're engineered to have so much weight over the rear axle, that you often won't put on it.
If you'd rather stick to Land Rovers, you won't loose a penny in depreciation on a defender 130 double cab. No promises about running costs though.
Also consider the Chinese options, if they're available, Great Walls, whatever else they might have. They will probably be utterly worthless when the time comes to sell them though.
If you fancy a Land Cruiser, have a look at the big Land Rovers too, Discovery 73 (or whatever number theyre on now), Defender 110/130, and see if Jeep sells anything you fancy.
And just for ballance - I highly doubt you actually need half the capability any of these things offer, so check out some of the non-cack smaller SUVs (A few years ago, they'd be the Skoda Yeti, Subaru Forester/Outback, Freelander, Suzukis, etc, but I've no idea what's available now)
Thanks for the comprehensive reply, much appreciated. I will test drive the Toyota and Isuzu this weekend and make a decision on which I prefer, or whether to keep looking. It's got roughly the same 2.8L diesel as the Hilux, but it costs an awful lot more.
As for the pickups, drive both, haggle, pick whichever you prefer. The Isuzu should cost you less to buy, but the Hilux should be worth more when you come to sell. The Mitsubishi L200 has traditionally alwyas been the cheapest and best value pickup, especially for lighter duties. Also have a look at the Nissan Navara, Ford Ranger and VW Amarok (not sure how many of these are still sold in the UK, or how much badge engineering is going on)
Think if you really need a pickup though - they drive substantially worse than normal cars, because they're engineered to have so much weight over the rear axle, that you often won't put on it.
If you'd rather stick to Land Rovers, you won't loose a penny in depreciation on a defender 130 double cab. No promises about running costs though.
Also consider the Chinese options, if they're available, Great Walls, whatever else they might have. They will probably be utterly worthless when the time comes to sell them though.
If you fancy a Land Cruiser, have a look at the big Land Rovers too, Discovery 73 (or whatever number theyre on now), Defender 110/130, and see if Jeep sells anything you fancy.
And just for ballance - I highly doubt you actually need half the capability any of these things offer, so check out some of the non-cack smaller SUVs (A few years ago, they'd be the Skoda Yeti, Subaru Forester/Outback, Freelander, Suzukis, etc, but I've no idea what's available now)
I've considered the Ranger / Amarok / Navara, and may take a look at these too, albeit, the entry price of the VW is quite a bit higher.
In terms of capability, you're partially correct. I don't need their ultimate off-road capability on a day-to-day basis, however I do a reasonable amount of green laning, plus will often tow close to 3.5t. I don't believe any of the smaller SUVs, however capable they are on the rough stuff, are able to tow 3.5t.
If after test driving, I don't like the pickups, I will look at some of your other suggestions (Defender 110, Discovery etc.).
Thanks
An alternative is a pick up based SUV, you get the value for money and the ruggedness with an enclosed boot and 7 seats.
In most of the rest of the world there is the Toyota Fortuner an Isuzu MU-X. In the UK I think the only one is the Shogun Sport...
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19388363
In most of the rest of the world there is the Toyota Fortuner an Isuzu MU-X. In the UK I think the only one is the Shogun Sport...
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19388363
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