WITH its double cab, leather upholstery and heated seats, the Utah version of the Isuzu D-Max adds an air of luxury to the more robust characteristics you’d normally associate with a pick-up.

Its design allows it to serve a twin purpose – as a muscular workhorse from Monday to Friday, then as a family vehicle when the working day ends or the weekend arrives.

Whether you’re a tradesperson looking to transport bulky items to a site or a parent needing some added storage space for a family outing, the real appeal of this machine is that huge storage space at the back, which offers great flexibility and practicality.

You can cover and lock the load bed if you happen to be transporting anything valuable that could get wet or stolen. If your cargo is a more awkward shape and needs to protrude above the sides of the load area, you can simply peel back the metal cover to create an open storage space. This came in handy when I needed to load three bicycles for a family outing because the handlebars wouldn’t fit underneath the cover.

The latest update to the D-Max saw the big 2.5-litre diesel engine replaced with a 1.9-litre unit.

Despite being smaller, the engine retains plenty of grunt, which makes the D-Max a very decent choice for towing, with the 4x4 models being capable of towing up to 3,500kg or carrying a 1,091 - 1,196kg payload.

This engine is available with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic gearbox, with the latter tested here.

Both come with revised gearing for better performance, especially while towing.

The turbo diesel engine develops 163bhp and 360Nm of torque, which is the same power output as the previous larger engine but with a little less torque.

When you’re looking to get a move-on and aren’t towing, the response time between a hearty press of the accelerator and the engine leaping into action seems too long. However, when you do eventually get up to 10mph, the engine really seems to wake up, becoming a pretty meaty unit and propelling this weighty vehicle from 10mph to 60mph in what seems like no time.

With fuel consumption averaging just over 36mpg, the engine strikes a good balance between torque and economy.

The suspension is set up to cope with heavy weight, which means the ride quality probably at its best with a hefty amount of weight in the back. That’s not to say the standard ride is poor – the Utah’s on-road composure is impressive.

Make no mistake - this is a lengthy vehicle to manoeuvre. You’ll find yourself needing to exaggerate turns, swinging out to avoid scraping anything on the inside of the bend. When parking up, the reversing camera is a godsend as the idea of correctly judging the vehicle’s considerable length without it would appear somewhat daunting.

In terms of looks, the Utah is easy on the eye, with roof bars, 18-inch alloy wheels, a chrome radiator grille and chrome door handles adding extra intrigue to the vehicle’s bold lines.

Inside, there are more luxury features dotted around than you would normally expect on a working vehicle. The interior features leather upholstery, an electric height adjustable driver’s seat, and heated front seats. There’s also a leather steering wheel, a front centre armrest and front cup holders, for extra convenience.

There’s a DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay and a satnav system operated through the seven-inch multifunctional colour touchscreen.

In truth, there may have been scope for a slightly better radio. The one in this model seemed a little cumbersome to operate and, when you did stumble across a channel worth listening to, reception was crackly.

Overall, with a price tag of just over £26,000, it’s an appealing package.

THE LOWDOWN

Isuzu D-Max Utah

PRICE: £26,149 on the road

ENGINE: 1.9-litre diesel

FUEL CONSUMPTION: 36.2mpg combined

EMISSIONS: 205g/km

MAX SPEED: 112mph

ACCELERATION: 0-62mph in 13 seconds

BUILT: Thailand