We left Johannesburg just after sunrise, the traffic still sleepy as we rolled northward onto the N1, heading towards the Waterberg’s wilder edge and the rust-coloured peace of Welgevonden Game Reserve. Our companion for the road was the ISUZU D-Max 3.0 Ddi double cab 4×4 LS automatic—a name as full-bodied as the bakkie itself. This wasn’t just a vehicle review; it was a chance to see how one of South Africa’s most iconic workhorses handles a trip rich in both terrain and taste.

The D-Max has always had a reputation for being tough—something your uncle swears by, something you’ve probably seen hauling feed on a Karoo farm. But this seventh-generation model brings more than just grunt.

From the moment we settled into the cabin, it was clear this bakkie had grown up. There’s a modern restraint to the interior: stitched seats that hold you gently through long hours, an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay that kept us in tune with our playlists and WhatsApps, and enough USB ports to keep everyone’s phone happy.

There’s still a sense of utility—nothing feels unnecessarily soft—but the layout is thoughtfully done, with intuitive controls and solid build quality that echoes its industrial lineage.

Cruising through the more developed stretches near Pretoria, the D-Max felt surprisingly refined. Its 3.0-litre turbo diesel engine delivers 140 kW and 450 Nm of torque, meaning overtaking lumbering trucks was never a question of “if,” only “when.” The six-speed automatic transmission didn’t fuss or hunt for gears; it responded with a sense of purpose that we appreciated more as the N1 gave way to the quieter R33, where the tarmac narrowed and the road began to undulate with the rhythm of the bushveld.

And with that shift in landscape came the real test—a variety of surfaces that would intimidate lesser vehicles. Fortunately, the D-Max is a testament to engineering excellence, equipped with Electronic Stability Control, Anti-Lock Brakes, Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Traction Control. We navigated with confidence, knowing the bakkie was ready to handle whatever lay ahead.

As we rolled past Modimolle and into farmlands, the terrain began to change. Gentle hills opened up into wide, open plains dotted with cattle and windpumps. Here, the ride comfort of the D-Max was put to good use. ISUZU’s new ladder-frame chassis and revised suspension made light work of the rutted roads that would usually have passengers reaching for nausea tablets. We stopped briefly in Vaalwater for some padkos at Jagveld Brouery—we had a succulent gemsbok loin steak and tender chicken schnitzel served with fries and a rich sauce that, frankly, deserved its own Google rating.

The last stretch towards Welgevonden was where the D-Max’s 4×4 system earned its keep. Gravel roads, some loose with recent grading, others compacted into bone-shaking washboard, snaked through dense bush and alongside occasional glimpses of eland or giraffe. With shift-on-the-fly between 2H and 4H, we adjusted easily to the conditions. Ground clearance of 235 mm gave us confidence through deeper ruts and the occasional rocky incline. It was never just about getting there—it was about how well the bakkie handled the changes, the moods of the land itself.

Throughout the trip, the D-Max drew second looks at petrol stations and parking lots. Its bold, chiselled front end with the dark chrome grille and LED lights carries serious presence. There’s a sense that this is no longer the humble worker bee of yesteryear. It’s still unmistakably a bakkie with a spacious load bin—but it’s been sharpened, modernised, given polish without losing its roots.

By the time we reached Welgevonden, the bakkie had settled into our rhythm. There’s something deeply South African about a vehicle that can eat up the kilometres on tar, feel at home on gravel, and still be the right thing to have when a kudu appears just metres from your window. We didn’t need to raise the suspension or fiddle with settings. We just pointed it forward, and it went—faithfully, comfortably, and with the kind of assuredness that makes a long journey feel like a short one.

Driving the ISUZU D-Max on this route reminded us of why bakkies remain such an essential part of South African travel. It’s not just about transport. It’s about being able to embrace every kind of road—whether it’s the buttery tar of the N1, the dust trails of the Waterberg, or the little gravel turn-offs that lead to the best biltong you’ve never heard of.