Isuzu UK has expanded its D-Max lineup with the new Mudmaster, a rugged off-road variant built on the V-Cross platform. Priced from £36,495 for the manual and £38,495 for the automatic, the Mudmaster offers a unique blend of capability and affordability.
Powering this adventurer is a 1.9-liter turbo-diesel engine mated to a 76-liter fuel tank. While not a speed demon, with a 0-62 mph time of 12.7 seconds (manual) or 13.0 seconds (automatic), the Mudmaster excels in off-road situations.
Key upgrades over the V-Cross include an ARB Safari snorkel, a COMEUP winch, a PEDDERS suspension lift, underbody protection, heavy-duty seats, exterior cladding, and aggressive off-road tires. Optional extras like a canopy, roof rack, and additional lighting further enhance its off-road prowess.
The Isuzu Mudmaster, while boasting a lengthy list of off-road enhancements including underbody protection, exterior reinforcements, and towing capabilities, struggles to live up to its “unmatched performance” claims.
The Ford Ranger Raptor and Arctic Trucks AT35 offer far more substantial off-road credentials. Despite the exaggerated marketing, the Mudmaster undeniably possesses genuine off-road competence.
However, it falls short of being the ultimate off-road conqueror, as evidenced by the sales dominance of the Ford Ranger and Hilux in the UK pickup market, and the Ford Transit models in the commercial vehicle segment.
