Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 (2025 - ) review

The AT35 can carry over 1000 kg in the back and tow 3500 kg, beating the Ford Ranger Raptor in pure practicality terms. The version we tested had a canopy fitted over the load space (we’ve seen other reviewers had the same vehicle when it was fitted with a roller-top shutter instead), which was nice although the internal windows had an annoying habit of steaming up leaving us to rely on the door mirrors to see what was behind us on the roads. The load bed itself was lined with a bed rug that we just couldn’t bring ourselves to mess up with bikes or cargo. The lift in height created by the higher suspension and big tyres also means more work getting things into the back. It’s not an easy vehicle to lift heavy items into, but at least the bed rug helps you slide things to the back. So, while we like how it looks, the AT35 just doesn’t feel as practical as any other D-Max… although we appreciate that work is not necessarily what you’d buy an AT35 for.

The interior is really nice, covered with leather and is a genuinely nice place to be. The D-Max recently underwent a facelift, which saw some improvements in cabin layout that you get in the AT35… check out the Isuzu D-Max review we posted just 11 months ago. We like that you actually get hard buttons for things like climate control in the D-Max, and the AT35 therefore feels more tactile than screen-reliant trucks. The back seats are as generous as the front, so your passengers will enjoy their time sitting in them. What we really like is that Arctic Trucks isn’t shy about putting their name or logo in sensible places. The logos are tastefully stamped on the seats, the floor mats and other surfaces, but never anywhere that makes you grimace. There’s little else to comment on… the interior was already a well-executed space.

The 1.9-litre diesel engine and auto gearbox work together nicely and we saw an average 30-33 mpg return on fuel. We drove the AT35 to Birmingham and back, then to Newbury and back, and all that on one tank of diesel with the range showing 159 miles left back at base. It’s great that a vehicle this big can provide that kind of return… if only it handled the roads as well as it handles fuel consumption (more on that later).

Well, it’s an Isuzu D-Max underneath all the style so it’s pretty reliable. The warranty cover is also good at five years or 125,000 miles, with two-year service intervals. That level of coverage is reassuring for any prospective buyer and certainly better than what’s provided by some competing manufacturers.

There’s no issue with performance, in fact the AT35 boosts some elements in its transition from a standard Isuzu D-Max. You get a nearly 20 per cent boost in approach and departure angles, and two more inches of ground clearance, which is quite good. Whether that’s enough of a boost in performance over a standard D-Max to justify the price hike is all down to you and your wallet.

Big wheels means big comfort, right? Not really. When you’re using this truck on a surface that demands 4x4 power, this is an excellent truck to do it in. When you’re driving on normal roads, the two-wheel drive is sluggish and steering is a more careful affair. We drove this vehicle on two very long journeys over our time with it, and while it wasn’t bad to drive it wasn’t the best. It handles off-road trekking with style, but normal roads are not its friend and you’ll be left expecting more from it. As an aside, the vehicle's increased height was great for visibility, especially at night… although we’re pretty sure we dazzled a few oncoming drivers with the high-set lighting rig on top of the vehicle.

The D-Max is five-star rated by Euro NCAP, with a solid range of safety equipment included as standard. All models, including the AT35, get Attention Assist, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Monitor, Emergency Lane Keeping, Forward Collision Warning, Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control, Intelligent Speed Limiter, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning and Prevention System, Rear Cross Traffic Alert & Braking, Traffic Jam Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, Turn Assist and a full complement of air bags. Exactly what you’d expect from a rugged go-anywhere pick-up truck, right?

Equipment levels are high with high beam assist, automatic windscreen wipers, a 9.0-inch multifunction colour touch-screen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a neat reversing camera, DAB radio and a stop/start system. You also get carpet flooring, a rear centre armrest, the new L-shaped rear lights, side steps, front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry, and a push-button start system. An upgraded sound system, auto-dimming rear view mirror and automatic headlight levelling finish off the highlights. No one can call this truck underequipped!

You’ll buy the Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 because you want to turn heads while on the road… and you will. It’s a great-looking truck that has been improved by the AT conversion, but ultimately you’re likely to find the truck doesn’t fully justify its hefty price tag increase over a standard D-Max.