THINK of pick-up trucks and unless your know your commercial vehicles, Isuzu might not be on the tip of everyone's tongue.

The firm, founded in 1916 is Japan's best-selling medium-truck manufacturer and Isuzu Motors is the oldest Japanese vehicle manufacturer, producing the country's first domestically assembled car, a licensed British Wolseley A9, in 1922.

The name Isuzu was adopted for its ‘standard model car' launched in 1934 and this became the company name in 1949.

Isuzu's Elf was launched in 1959 and is still Japan's best-selling light-duty truck.

It's challenger in the UK, is the rugged-looking D-Max, a model which comes in in three body styles - single, extended and double cab and four specifications, D-Max, Eiger, Yukon and Utah.

The firm classes the D-Max as its utility range with the others in their premium line-up All are powered by an impressive 2.5-litre 163ps, twin turbo diesel engine.

It is both powerful and economical, making the vehicle surprisingly quick off the mark and giving it bags of low-down torque, or pulling power.

Official figures put economy at around 38mpg, a figure which seemed not far off the mark. It is mated with a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission.

It comes in two and four-wheel drive options and in terms of load lugging ability it is up there with the best with a 1,000kg payload and a braked towing capacity of 3,500kg. The open rear means awkward shaped objects can be carried easily.

Its off-road capability is without question with both high and low ration four wheel drive selectable as well as normal two wheel drive.

Like many of this kind of vehicle these days, they almost car-like driving qualities and in this case a particularly tight turning circle.

Despite its size, and some roll on corners, it does not feel like some huge barge, although getting into bends too quickly can make the back end twitch. The suspension set-up means the vehicle can feel bouncy, but on motorways after slipping into sixth gear, it is by no means unpleasant.

The models come in various levels of equipment and luxury and the D-Max, successor to the Rodeo, is the base or utility model, configured to be a work horse but still having enough kit not to feel spartan.

It is also bigger than its predecessor and features rear-opening side-access panels. The exterior has an attractive look, with prominent grille and slanting headlights which feature  daytime running lights. The extended cab version has 16-inch steel wheels.

The two front seats are comfortable, but the rear pair are more like bench seats, which would not be too comfortable on an extended run.

Because of its size, the cabin, as you would expect, is light and airy with plenty of headroom, but is built for practicality rather than comfort. It looks like it would last years, but if you are looking for refinement, then the higher spec models should be the choice.

Switchgear and controls are robust and sturdy, and equipment includes front electric windows, heated door mirrors, manual air-conditioning, radio/CD, heated rear screen and head adjustable front headrests.

For practicality there is a 12v socket, cup holders and large sunvisors, front door cup holders Driver and passenger sun visors.

For safety it has stability programme, anti lock brakes, and front, side and curtain airbags.

The vehicle will be cheapish to buy, prices range from £14,499 to £21,999, cheap to to run thanks to the good fuel economy, very low insurance group, group 8A, for the entry model and good residual values.

On top of that  the D-Max comes with five-year/125,000-mile warranty.