LONG gone are the days when you'd only see a pair of scruffily-clad legs climbing out of a pick-up truck.

Today's pick-up driver may have traded in a posh SUV or a suave estate to run what has become the new lifestyle choice. Sure, they're still favoured by builders and farmers alike but their ranks have been infiltrated by field-sports fans, keen cyclists and an army of outdoor enthusiasts.

It's the go-anywhere versatility, space and - more recently - the luxury that appeals. The sector has also drawn some folk who've taken advantage of the reduced benefit in kind tax rate⦠but that is about to end.

One firm that has attracted particular interest is Isuzu, which sold more than 6,600 D-Max models last year. The latest V-Cross Double Cab has been treated to an improved cabin with greater home comforts, more safety kit and is a better drive.

While it remains the tough, four-wheel-drive workhorse capable of carrying a 1.0 tonne payload and tow 3.5tonnes, there's a level of comfort and luxury more usually associated with a mid-range prestige saloon - things like heated seats, large infotainment screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Beneath the newly fashioned bonnet, complete with restyled grille, is the established 1.9litre turbo diesel knocking out 162bhp. It's somewhat gruff at tickover and sounds strained when revved hard but delivers ample torque and reasonable acceleration. 62mph comes up in around 12 seconds and it tops out at 112mph.

The version we drove was automatic and this added considerably to the ease of driving thanks to well chosen ratios and smooth upward changes. Standard issue on the D-Max is a six-speed manual gearbox

Those unused to being behind the wheel of a pick-up will be pleasantly surprised at the ride standard. Although more joggly than a car, bumps are soaked up well and body lean during cornering is capably controlled. Seats front and back are well padded and supportive.

Its tall stance benefits visibility and allows you to see over hedges and many walls making country routes easy going. More tricky is manoeuvring in busy town car parks where the substantial length and large turning circle conspire to make the job problematic.

Owners who regularly go off-road are looked after admirably with the selectable four-wheel-drive having three modes to enable them to cope with most tricky scenarios. And no worries with the ground clearance which is sufficient to traverse all but the biggest boulders.

Despite its heft, considerable size and brick-like aerodynamics, the Isuzu is no gas guzzler. The miserly turbo diesel managed to eke close to 30mpg from a gallon of diesel in our hands, with a best of 34mpg on a gentle country drive.

Unlike heavier pick-ups, the D-Max isn't subjected to reduced commercial speed limits which restrict it to50mph on single carriageways and 60mph on dual carriageways.