Terrain-tested. Torque-tested. And even wife-tested.

When it comes to choosing a 4x4, it isn’t easy getting an ‘A’ from Encik Zulkifli (or from his wife).

A mechanical engineering lecturer from Kangar, Encik Zulkifli is a meticulous man of science. And a fan of the Isuzu D-Max.

Written in theory, delivered in practice

A ride of trial and error with other 4x4s eventually brought Encik Zulkifli to the D-Max.

As an engineer, he was aware of the D-Max’s advantages - no timing-belt, good torque, excellent Isuzu heritage.

His experience as a developer with excavators, also proved he was no stranger to Isuzu diesel engines.

Still, he continued to weigh the pros and cons.

Blogs, forums, editorials, yielded very assuring facts. “The D-Max won numerous awards in the UK. And in Thailand, the world’s 2nd biggest market for pick-ups, Isuzu is the leader.”

Impressive?

His wife was more impressed that the D-Max ran so smoothly before the 2nd gear was engaged.

A month of study. A second test drive. And the D-Max was on its way to his garage.

Wear out the road, not the vehicle

Encik Zulkifli’s journeys in the D-Max are long and frequent. He owns a 50-acre palm oil estate in Taiping, to which he travels as often as 3 times a week, as far as 250 km. “I can hardly tell it’s carting 700 - 800kg of palm oil seeds.”

The D-Max’s fuel efficiency? “It goes on and on, sometimes I forget my last visit to the petrol station!”

Once he climbed a very steep slope leading his friends in other 4x4s. Thanks to the D-Max’s short overhang, he cleared the slope. The others, well, just couldn’t keep up.

“With my D-Max, I never worry about getting stuck.”

“It’s tough, dependable and steady”

Encik Zulkifli never had a moment’s doubt with his choice of 4x4. In fact, he appreciates his D-Max from bumper to bumper.

Lesson of the day: do the homework. You’ll find the most reliable 4x4 soon enough.