The Isuzu Thread

Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 (2023) Price & Specs

Wondering how much the beefed-up Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 will cost in South Africa? Well, we finally have the answer…

Isuzu Motors South Africa confirmed the D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 for the local market in mid-May 2023, though curiously wasn’t able to share how much it would cost. Now, we’ve finally managed to unearth this new flagship double-cab bakkie’s price.

According to our information (which has since been confirmed by a 2nd source), the D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 3.0TD 4×4 will be priced from R1 120 620. For the record, that makes it South Africa’s 4th-most expensive double-cab bakkie, behind the Volkswagen Amarok 3.0TDI V6 Aventura 4Motion (R1 138 200), Ford Ranger 3.0 V6 EcoBoost Raptor 4WD (R1 184 100) and Jeep Gladiator 3.6 Rubicon (R1 329 900). It is, however, the country’s most expensive 4-cylinder bakkie.

Offered in “limited” numbers and set to be available “on special order” through Isuzu’s local dealer network, the AT35 is based on the D-Max 3.0TD V-Cross 4×4. The beefed-up flagship commands a R241 420 premium over that derivative and thus sits right at the summit of the local D-Max line-up, arriving as the 28th variant in the range (along with a further 5 in the prolonged-lifecycle Gen 6 portfolio).

How much does the Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 cost in SA?

Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 3.0TD 4×4 – R1 120 620

The D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 ships standard with a 5-year/120 000 km warranty and a 5-year/90 000 km service plan (with intervals of 15 000 km).

 
Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 (2023) Price & Specs

The 2nd-gen Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35, which was exhibited at NAMPO, has now been launched in Mzansi. The off-road-optimised double cab, which will be produced in limited numbers, is the latest entrant to the R1-million-plus bakkie club.

Isuzu Motors South Africa confirmed the D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 for the local market in mid-May, but at the time, it didn’t say how much the bakkie would cost. However, the Gqeberha-based subsidiary of the Japanese brand has now confirmed the 2nd-gen AT35 3.0TD 4×4 will be priced from R1 120 620.

How much does the Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 cost in SA?

Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 3.0TD 4×4 – R1 120 620

The D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 ships standard with a 5-year/120 000 km warranty and a 5-year/90 000 km service plan (with intervals of 15 000 km).

 
Review: Isuzu D-Max Arctic AT35

Verdict

There’s little not to like about the AT35 primarily because of the improvements in its off-road ability and the fact that you can have that without voiding a five years/120 000 km warranty with roadside assistance. There’s a standard five years/90 000 km service plan and service intervals are yearly or every 15 000 km and that does appeal to those not particularly keen on modifying their own bakkie through trial and error.

Does it live up to the Arctic Trucks brand? Well it’s difficult to say in an environment that the brand is not necessarily known for. The closest we can come to snow or ice in Southern Africa on a regular basis are sand dunes and we didn’t drive on surfaces that were particularly soft. On a rocky trail? The AT35 will definitely embarrass normal bakkies, but the problem is that most are not going to compare it with a normal bakkie. For this amount of money, there can only be one real rival for it, on- or off-road and the Ford Ranger Raptor is spoiling for a fight.

Isuzu D-Max Arctic AT35 Fast Facts

Price: R1 120 620

Engine: 3,0-litre, turbodiesel, four-cylinder

Power: 140 kW at 3 600 r/min

Torque: 450 N.m at 1 600r/min

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Drive wheels: Selectable four-wheel-drive

Service plan: five years/90 000 km

 
DRIVEN: Isuzu D-Max AT35 is a moerse capable 4x4, but its price doesn’t make sense

Until the 1860s, the picturesque Attaquaskloof Pass, situated inland from George in the Western Cape, was essentially the “N1” for Ox Wagons.

It came about when Gouriqua Khoi Khoi showed the old elephant routes to early explorers, who were seeking the most feasible route for wagons, which couldn’t handle steep inclines.

Parts of this historic route are still accessible as a somewhat challenging 4x4 trail on the Bonniedale Farm, although to access it you’ll have to make an appointment with its owner.

And it was here that Isuzu decided to introduce South African media to its new D-Max Arctic AT35.

But speaking of old mammal trails there is one big elephant in the room that we need to face when speaking about the Japanese company’s bakkie new flagship.

Priced at R1 120 620 the D-Max AT35 is the country’s fourth most expensive bakkie derivative, and falls just R64 000 shy of the new Ford Ranger Raptor. It also costs R241 000 more than the D-Max V-Crossthat it’s based on.
Although it does have some really cool kit, which we’ll get to in a moment, when it comes to performance and technology for the money, the Isuzu simply cannot compete with the Raptor, in our opinion.

 
Isuzu MU-X now more attainable as 1.9 LS entry model joins line-up

The Isuzu MU-X is a stylish but somewhat lesser-known rival to popular bakkie-based SUVs such as the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Everest.

Some might argue that Isuzu’s D-Max-based wagon is on the expensive side of the equation, but now the Japanese company is making it more attainable with the release of a 1.9-litre variant.

Priced at R708 000, the Isuzu MU-X 1.9TD LS is R92 000 cheaper than the 3.0TD LS, and it also becomes the second least expensive vehicle in its class, with only the equivalent Toyota Fortuner 2.4 GD-6 auto model undercutting it at R697 800.

For the record the next cheapest alternatives are the albeit higher-specced Mitsubishi Pajero 2.4 DI-D, at R769 990, while the cheapest Ford Everest is the bi-turbo XLT at R848 300.

The lower-priced MU-X adopts Isuzu’s 1.9-litre turbodiesel engine, as also found in the D-Max bakkie. It produces 110kW at 3,600rpm and 350Nm from 1,800 to 2,600rpm, making it 30kW and 100Nm less potent than the 3.0-litre variant that commands almost 100 grand more.

 
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