Category Archives: Vehicle type

AWD, Motoring news

Maximum respect for pick-up

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ISUZU D-MAX CROWNED BEST VALUE PICK-UP OF THE YEAR FOR 2022

The Isuzu D-Max has been named the Best Value Pick-up of the Year by renowned specialist publication 4×4 Magazine. Having collected the Pick-up of the Year accolade in 2021, the Isuzu D-Max has continued this winning trend by being awarded the Best Value title for 2022. 

The All-New Isuzu D-Max, which launched earlier this year, combines smart, bold, and aggressive styling, and improved off-road performance with class-leading safety technology. Not only does it deliver the capability and durability you would expect from an Isuzu pick-up truck, but this tough workhorse has also now added superior levels of comfort, refinement, and next-generation technology.

Appealing to a wide variety of drivers, from fleet operators to families, the Isuzu D-Max model range is structured into three segments: Business, All-Purpose and Adventure, resulting in an Isuzu D-Max to suit every customer’s requirement. 

Alan Kidd, Editor at 4×4 Magazine said “The Isuzu D-Max won Pick-up of the Year last year after we first drove it, so we’ve not been at all surprised by the enormous demand Isuzu has encountered since sales began. And one of the reasons why people are queueing up to buy them is that Isuzu has priced them very smartly indeed.”

He continued, “Isuzu has come to market with a range of models which undercut their direct rivals – so for less money, you get one of the newest and best trucks on the market, with famous reliability, rock-solid residuals and a monster of a warranty. No wonder people are putting their faith in the Isuzu D-Max.”

Alan Able, Brand Director, Isuzu UK said “Collecting the award for Best Value Pick-up of the Year is a great way to end 2021. With the launch of the All-New Isuzu D-Max earlier in the spring and the expansion of the dealer network throughout the year, this has been a very exciting and rewarding time for Isuzu UK.” 

The Best Value Pick-up of the Year is available from £21,009 for Single Cab Utility models, with Extended Cab Utility priced from £23,759 and Double Cab versions available from £24,509* CVOTR 

Crossover, Toyota

Beefed up Yaris muscles in on market

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Toyota Yaris Cross

By Bill McCarthy

Built for the European market, Toyota designers says the theme for this beefed-up Yaris was “Easy, Fast, Smart,” defined with the goal of creating a car that is an ideal partner for day-to-day activities. Not sure what that means, but it features the same wheelbase as the Yaris, but is taller, wider and longer.

It looks the part in metallic silver, with contrasting black roof and sitting high off the ground with, depending on the model,16, 17 or 18-inch alloys wheels. It has a ground clearance up from 25mm to 177mm and the wheel arches and sills get plastic protectors for that extra rugged look.

 The front features eye-shaped headlights and two distinctive grilles flanked by two striking vertical daytime running lights.

To the rear there is a wide tailgate with a full-width light bars that feature LED technology.

The interior is smart, roomy and practical with hard-wearing upholstery, plus robust and logical switchgear. 

Even the base model is well equipped with the usual electric and electronic aids, but this version adds piano black finish and dark chrome detailing on the upper front grille and auto-retracting door mirrors. 

In the cabin, there are heated front seats, dual-zone air conditioning and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and power lumbar adjustment on the driver’s seat.

The brains of the car on this model is the new High Definition Toyota Smart Connect with nine-inch display touchscreen. It controls major functions like navigation, infotainment and connectivity and offers live-updating via an embedded SIM card.

Navigation is connected cloud to services to provide live information. In addition, the binnacle contains a multi-function information right in the driver’s eyeline.

It is a roomy place to be with good headroom, although as you might expect from this size car, legroom isn’t so great in the back.

On the road, the car is powered by Toyota’s fourth-generation hybrid electric technology, a 1.5 litre three-cylinder petrol engine with electric motors and provides a lively, yet economical drive.

Acceleration is brisk, with the growl of the three-pot engine offering a sporty note.

The 0-60mph sprint is achieved in around 11 seconds, while at the same time delivering low carbon emissions. 

For a vehicle sitting high off the ground, it has sharp, agile handling and direct steering.

It is equally at home on the motorway, with plenty of grunt available, while road and wind noise, although noticeably present on this more than the standard Yaris, are reasonably well suppressed.

Boot space is large and versatile with 397 litres increasing to 1,097 litres with the multi function seats folded.

The Yaris is one of the safest small cars around. It features a full complement of airbags, including a centre airbag, stability control, intelligent adaptive cruise control, plus Safety Sense as standard which includes lane assist, pre-collision warning, pedestrian detection, steering control and a host of other features to keep families safe.

FAST FACTS

Toyota Yaris Cross Dynamic

Price: £26,465

Mechanical: 114bhp, 1490cc, 3-cylinder, petrol engine and electric motors driving front wheels via e-CVT transmission

Max Speed: 106mph

0-62mph: 11.1 seconds

Combined MPG: 55.3

Insurance Group: 12E

C02 emissions: 112g/km

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles