Review: 2024 Isuzu D-Max MudMaster
The MudMaster isn’t another special edition in the Isuzu D-Max range, it’s a one-off clever marketing move by Isuzu’s PR team to solidify the D-Max's reputation as a go-anywhere, do-anything vehicle. It’s what happens when you throw a mountain of off-road goodies at an already versatile pick-up. And those extras aren’t just for show; they underline the pick-up’s practical applications, proving its mettle in scenarios ranging from building sites to, of course, green-laning.
Cranking the off-road appeal up to eleven, the PR team have added around £14,000 (ex-VAT) worth of extras, that include…
ARB Safari Snorkel
COMEUP Winch
PEDDERS Off-Road Suspension Kit
ARB Base Rack
Plastic Under-Rail Liner
Alpha XS Top canopy
20” Hurricane Alloy Wheels
Toyo Open Country A/T III All Terrain Off-Road Tyres
Lazer Sentinel 7” Elite Rally-Style Lamps
Lazer Linear-36 Elite Lightbar
Steel Under body Protection
Wind Visors
Bonnet Protector
Door Handle Protectors
Lifted Off-Road Side Steps
Interior Rubber Mats
Heavy Duty Seat Covers
Illuminated Door Sills
Tow Bar with 13-Pin Electrics
Cladding Kit
Fender Lips
and a whole bunch of custom design elements, including a white Isuzu badge and MudMaster decals, adding a unique and distinctive look to the vehicle.
Phew!
So what’s it like to live with?
As with any D-Max, easy. In my experience the D-Max is the most practical pickup on the UK market, but I’ll get to that later.
In case you weren’t aware, the D-Max is powered by a 1.9-litre turbo diesel engine, producing 164PS and 360Nm of torque, it may not be the smoothest of engines, but it strikes a balance between power and efficiency. While it’s not a track star either, the 2”+ Pedders suspension offers a more composed and predictable ride on uneven tarmac and soaks up motorway miles with ease. This is also helped by the 20” alloys and Toyo all-terrains.
One of our longest road trips was a 3-hour drive up to Northumberland for a Kia media day, and once on the very dark and lonely A69, the Lazer lights came into their own illuminating everything. I was told there’s always a danger of deer wandering onto the A69, but with the amount of lumens at my disposal, I would literally see them from a miles away!
My only criticism was the wind noise emanating from the ARB Base Rack - a fairing would easily solve that problem. Other than that, the cabin is quieter than you’d expect.
Off-Road
As they say, with great power comes great responsibility, and during my time with the MudMaster the north west of England, like a lot of the UK, suffered from snow, ice, strong winds huge amount of rainfall and subsequent flooding. Therefore, a lot of lanes I had planned to drive were simply impassable, and the ones that weren’t I didn’t want to chew up and destroy. In other words I did very little in the way of ‘laning, and no camping either.
That said, exploring the snowy wasteland that was Bolton, the MudMaster worked incredibly well, I didn’t even have to employ the rear locker, thanks to the Toyo Open Country A/T IIIs, that seemed to find grip from anywhere. It was mice finding a quite spot in the middle of nowhere, drop the tailgate and light up the Petromax Fire Kettle for a leisurely brew.
The 4WD system was faultless, and engaged by using a dial. Sometimes this system on other 4x4s can be a pain as it takes ages for low-box to engage, but not on the D-Max, it was almost instantaneous.
On the way back from the aforementioned trip to Northumberland, we drove a few lanes not far from Hadrian’s Wall, given to me by Andy, the local GLASS rep.
As we would be ‘laning alone, I asked for a selection of lanes that would offer some epic views as opposed to challenging terrain, and Andy didn’t disappoint.
The first was (Trailwise ref), NY8466-02, a mostly hard gravel lane that was fairly easy going with great views over the Tyne Valley. Engaging low-box the MudMaster idled along and up the odd incline and rock step, I was more concerned with the over-hanging branches that could scratch the one-off side decals than traction, as the MudMaster had the latter in abundance.
A few miles away was our next lane: NY8166-02, which was another easy lane with even more epic views. To be fair, I could’ve driven this in my Dad’s Fiesta, but that isn’t the point, it was nice to simply idle along at a snails pace nodding to the odd walker we passed along the way.
A few months previously I had the pleasure of taking the MudMaster around Parkwood Off-Road Centre, where it really did impress.
The increased ground clearance and approach/departure angles were ideal for tackling the extreme terrain and deep water channels, while the rear differential lock made sure I was able to claw my way out of the stickiest situations.
Interior Spec: Function Over Flair
Step inside, and the MudMaster reveals its workhorse DNA. As I mentioned earlier, the interior leans heavily towards practicality, with durable materials that can take a beating and a layout focused on functionality. The heavy duty seat covers the seats are water-resistant and designed for easy cleaning - perfect for those who don’t want to baby their vehicle during a weekend of green-laning.
The infotainment system is a decent 9” touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, plus a handy reversing camera. While it lacks the polish of more upmarket rivals, it gets the job done.
Storage space is plentiful, with cubbies galore, including on top of the dash, and a generously sized rear bench seat. Speaking of the rear seat, for added practicality, the seat base can be lifted to provide more room in the back for say, more fragile items, or if you require a bench, the seat backs can be folded downwards.
Practicality: Built for Both Work and Play
The MudMaster is designed with practicality in mind. The load bay is vast, with a payload capacity exceeding a tonne and the ability to tow 3.5 tonnes - a match for the toughest competitors. The bed comes with additional tie-down points and an anti-slip liner, making it ready for both tools of the trade and outdoor gear.
Safety: Ready for the Unexpected
It’s important to mention that Isuzu hasn’t skimped on safety, the standard D-Max has a suite of advanced driver aids. Autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control are standard. And of course the D-Max boasts a 5-star Euro NCAP rating, offering peace of mind whether you’re on the school run or an expedition.
Verdict: A Muddy Marvel
The Isuzu D-Max MudMaster doesn’t just talk the talk - it wades through rivers, scales hills, and carries loads with aplomb. While the D-Max may not boast the most powerful engine or the plushest interior, it’s an honest, capable, and practical pickup that holds its own against pricier competitors. Add the MudMaster’s impressive array of kit and it makes for an excellent 4x4 tourer.
I’m told that the MudMaster will be off the press fleet early 2025, and being honest, I’d be quite tempted to take it off Isuzu’s hands. I’ve already been making plans for it; an ARB rear kitchen setup, air compressor and perhaps a SmartCap canopy with a Bush Company AX roof top tent and 270 awning. But I can dream, I suspect they’ll want a few more pennies than I can afford. Ultimately, whoever the lucky owner will be they’ll be in for a treat and a thoroughly well built and put together pickup. Jealous much? Yes.
