Extra toppings

Isuzu’s new BS6 model line up has given us the Hi-Lander, a barebones pick up that’s ripe for customisation, but would you have it over the 4x4 AT V-Cross? Here’s how to know which one suits you best

- Dipayan Dutta

Talk about pick-up trucks in India, and you probably pictured the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross. It is, for now, the only pick-up truck on sale and now returns to the consumer market with a slight model rejig and a BS6 compliant motor. By now, most would have figured out that this new BS6 version isn’t the new generation of the D-Max that’s on sale globally. Isuzu says that it may still be a while before we see the new version in India. Nevertheless, the model rejig has given us this, the new D-Max Hi-Lander. Aside from dropping the V-Cross moniker, the Hi-Lander drops whatever bells and whistles that were previously associated with the V-Cross badge. That includes all the chrome bits, LED headlamps, footboards and even alloys for the Hi-Lander’s 16-inch wheels. The Hi-Lander makes do instead with standard halogen lighting, wheel caps and one smothering of chrome along the tail-gate. Our test vehicle came with a hard lid for the cargo bay, but that too is an optional extra.