Test Drive: Isuzu KB 250D-Teq 4×4 X-Rider – before D-MAX

It’s been over a year since we homed an Isuzu as part of our garage. That car, also a KB. The contents of my current house largely attributed to the space behind the double cab section and its 1000kg payload. Now there’s the 2018 Isuzu X-Rider version which unlike the limited edition rear-wheel drive X-Rider Black Edition, comes with a wider colour palette and of course 4×4 with diff lock.

Now it’s long been my philosophy that one doesn’t need to own a bakkie, but always be friends with someone who does. Thanks to manufacturers loaning us vehicles, a motoring journalist is a useful connection to have.  Which is why I get the 911 call for a broken fridge that needs to be transported in relative luxury and safety to a repair centre. South Africans like to take these matters mostly into their own hands; rather than call up said manufacturer we need to demonstrate (or fake) our DIY ability. Which is why in most cases a set of ratchet straps is more useful than low range.

Because admittedly the toughest condition our Isuzu faced was this little sad excuse for a dirt road in these images. But bakkies these days fare well during the daily grind – apart from the occasional lopsided parking in tight areas. Many have adopted passenger car inventory but Isuzu…it has trucking roots. Less refinement on tar roads as it bobbles about on tyres used for grabbing hold of tooth-edged rocks.

X-Rider was never going to refine that aspect. It’s a cosmetic upgrade to a robust package designed and delivered to breathe some excitement into a range which is in its twilight. Best looking bakkie on sale? Very nearly, you just need to ask Toyota what a little black plastic can do for a front end while the X-Rider adds new alloy wheels plus little decals to the standard look.

And while these little extras add to a long spec list which includes daytime running lights, fog lamps, leather, cruise control, the locally produced KB out of Port Elizabeth costs R40 000 less than Toyota’s 2.4 GD-6 4×4 SRX but slightly more than Ford’s 2.2 XL.

Both have superior engines to the Isuzu’s. Torque is sub-par for the segment, exasperated by the dulled response before 1800rpm. It hates cold mornings too – needing an extra stab of the accelerator every time I left the house. And the infotainment is infuriating, as are most systems that say ‘Bluetooth’ on the front as if it’s some novelty. Buttons double up poorly while sharing the volume button with the enter button causes untold number of problems. Needless to say my phone went unpaired.

Yet for all these faults it’s weirdly charming. Brutish and from previous experience, brilliantly capable off-road. The type of brand indestructibility and brand loyalty Isuzu can lean on seemingly nonplussed by GMSA’s exit.

SPECIFICATION

• R463 200
• 2499cc, 4cyl turbo diesel, 4X4, 100kW, 320Nm
• 7.9l/100km, 208g/km CO2,
• 0-100km/h: n/a
• 2035kg
• Tester’s notes: There are more complete packages out there but few feel as bulletproof