Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks (2025) Review

FINALLY, it’s dark. Where’s GMT when you need it as British Summer Times stetches the day late into the evening.

By 10pm it’s dark and I’m off out. With no light pollution from streetlamps there’s only the moon and stars to illuminate the road.

It’s nights like these that you might very well spot the odd shooting star or, if you are lucky, a UFO, though you could create your own.

I’ve been chomping at the bit to try the new Isuzu D-Max AT35 in the dark because on the top is an LED light bar that any self-respecting poacher would be proud to use. Flick a switch on the right hand side of the dashboard and the spots are linked to the pick-up’s high-beam.

Use the stalk to switch this on and the whole world becomes daylight, no kidding, it’s like driving before dark. It’s not just the road either, the beam stretches high and wide and don’t be tempted to look straight at the bar, it will weld your retinas to the back of your eyes like the sun.

I swear with the lights on you would be able to see the D-Max from the international space station and if you came across one at night you would think that you are being abducted by aliens.

It’s all part of the unnecessary but wonderful nature of the AT35. You see, the bog standard D-Max is a fine pick-up, the new look just freshening up the stalwart workhorse.

This is then handed over to specialists Arctic Trucks for a welcome titivation and you end up with a bright orange monster truck.

AT claims this is no ordinary pick-up, that it’s been inspired by the harshest conditions on earth and is the culmination of over 30 years of continual development.

Arctic Trucks’s heritage dates back to 1990 when it was founded in the land of fire and ice, Iceland, a rugged landscape of extremes, everything from glaciers to volcanoes. And the AT35 looks to have been fashioned from magma, especially when it comes in orange livery.

It’s a collaboration that works especially when your base starts with an award winning new-look D-Max, featuring advanced technology that has been developed to handle challenging landscapes. As a result AT35 boasts a payload of over a tonne, a towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes and a five year/ 125,000 mile warranty and roadside assistance.

Then, strengthen the chassis, add Bilstein performance suspension and an all-terrain wheel and 35” tyre package and you are heading in the right direction.

AT35 is luxurious in the extreme and an extremely competent 4x4 pick-up. Refined amenities include bespoke Arctic Truck branded headrests, Arctic Trucks floor mats, branded sill covers, and leather interior. Then there are high-tech features such as traffic sign recognition, automatic windscreen wipers and emergency lane keeping, as well as a 9” multifunction touchscreen with Bluetooth connectivity that can sync with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The truck also has a HDMI port, dual zone climate control and eight speakers with a subwoofer.

There’s a rear camera, parking sensors cruise control, forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking to keep drivers safe.

You climb up into the comfy cab best by using the grab handle and branded AT sidestep to reach the leather seats. Remember when pick-ups were utilitarian? Arctic Trucks doesn’t and this is plush. But do bear in mind the height when alighting, it’s a fair old drop.

The diesel engine sounds lusty and pulls well thanks to 164HP. Go steady and you can eek 35 miles from each precious gallon and there is more than enough power for your needs.

It’s a big old bus but handles excellently. The Bilstein suspension is long travel for the bumps and controls the cabin perfectly. The steering is sharp and the handling surprisingly good with plenty of grip from the upsized 17x10 Arctic Trucks black alloy wheels shod with 35" LT315/70 R17 all-terrain tyres. They look knobbly, grip well and aren’t especially noisy on the asphalt.

The view from the driver’s seat is spectacular and while the AT35 is large it somehow manages to be easy to drive along tight country roads and in town. Mind you most people do fear you like and alien and get out of the way.

If you are looking for a pick-up then they don’t come much better than the Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks. All you have to do is see the light.

‍