Ride and Handling

Often the Achilles' Heel of pick-up trucks, ride and handling are often sacrificed in favor of better payload or towing capacity.  However, with more sophisticated design and engineering methods, pick-ups have increasingly closed the ride handling gap if not with passenger cars, then with large sport-utility vehicles.  It must be noted though that offering comfort and handling doesn't suffice with a pick-up truck--it must be be able to cope with the stress of a full payload without sacrificing overall stability.  Again, both the Isuzu D-MAX and Mitsubishi Strada use the same basic Independent Double Wishbone / Semi-Elliptic Leaf Spring set-up but the way they're tuned are worlds apart.

The newer, more modern Mitsubishi Strada exemplifies the move towards a more on-road friendly suspension design.  The all-new suspension design absorbs the nastiest road ruts.  The roughest of terrains are conquered by the Strada's underpinnings while still offering a good amount of suspension travel (for the occasional off-road use).  The shock is dissipated even before it reaches the cabin thanks to the Strada's solid construction.  Being a larger pick-up, the Mitsubishi may feel a bit lumbering at first, but because of its Rack & Pinion steering rack (often found in passenger cars), the Strada is the much more responsive and willing vehicle.  Turning radius is still truck-like, but much more livable than pick-ups of yesteryear.  The trade-off for the Strada's low-speed lethargic steering response is unparalleled high-speed composure. With an engine capable of well past 130 km/h, the Strada feels every bit as confident and planted--a pleasant surprise.

Equally surprising is the Isuzu D-MAX's spirited handling.  It may not match the newer pick-ups in terms of overall ride comfort, but the D-MAX feels very agile, especially at lower speeds.  The lower center of gravity and smaller mass is an especially big factor.  Steering feel is a bit more numb and require more turns, but effort is lighter which makes the D-MAX an easy pick-up to park.  Of course, the lower side glass and square-cut exterior also help quite a bit.  There's some shuddering that enters the cabin, but so far nothing has caused the D-MAX to reel unplanted during any sort of highway run. The test unit already had 45,000 kilometers on the odometer, but it still feels solid with no squeaks and niggles.

Both the Mitsubishi Strada and Isuzu D-MAX offer part-time four-wheel drive.  Both are "shift-on-the-fly" systems, but it's only on the D-MAX where the engagement is a push-button affair.  Although it feels more high-tech, this push-button system may prove to be somewhat problematic like the one in the test vehicle.  Any attempts to engage either the 4H or 4L are greeted merely with a dash light and nothing more.  The straight-forward double-lever approach on the Strada may look a bit old school, but it's a more proven system and probably less susceptible to problems later on its life.

Comfort and Ergonomics

Designed with families in mind, both pick-ups in this test feature almost car-like qualities in the type of materials used and the overall ambiance.  In fact, while pick-ups of the past had exposed metal on the C- or even B-pillar, both the D-MAX and Strada are covered with high-grade plastic.  Although they're still not soft to the touch, like say, those found in an executive sedan, they've gone a long way compared to say a couple of years back.  Chinese toy quality plastics are now passé and replaced by good and durable materials.  At the same time, build quality is at an all-time high.  Try as you may, but you'll never find a sharp edge or flimsy piece of plastic in either of these pick-ups.  Perhaps what's surprising for both the Strada and the D-MAX is how their exterior echoes the interior treatment as well.

The angular and timeless Isuzu D-MAX features a more traditional interior with an upright windshield and square-cut theme.  Generally, the D-MAX has an effective and ergonomic cabin.  All the controls are within easy reach, particularly the chunky window switches which are operable with tactile feel.  There's a separate button for the power door locks too--something you don't often see in this segment.  The gauges are straight-forward but easy to read with a nice typeface.  Seat support is also quite good, especially the front seats, where a lumbar support adjuster is standard.  The rear occupants seat a bit upright, but at least their legs aren't raised and the seat belts are actually adjustable for height.  Despite the civilized feel of the D-MAX's cabin, there are some minor quirks.  First, the steering wheel is a tad too close despite any seating adjustment.  The gear lever too is a couple of inches shorter--making the engagement of fifth gear more difficult than what it should have been.  The ventilation controls too are on the small side (although they do an effective job in beating the Manila heat).  The Pioneer 1-DIN stereo/CD/MP3 system is equally confusing though, and despite the complexity of the control, only offers modest sound quality.

Whereas the Isuzu feels more utilitarian and straight-forward, the flashy, concept-car feel of the Mitsubishi is carried over inside and is executed quite well.  The sweeping dash design with the prominent silver center console evokes modernity and the use of large round buttons (as opposed to angular switches) make the Strada a breath of fresh air in the segment.  The materials used inside are the best yet for a pick-up (comparable to that of a passenger car even).  The use of silver accent is much more subtle in the Strada compared to the D-MAX, but somehow, the effect is more classy and effective in the Mitsubishi.  The two-tone blue/gray cabin is certainly avant-garde with the blue gauges being the piece de resistance.  The seating position is taller than the D-MAX, but not enough to be discontenting.  The steering wheel is a large diameter three-spoke (with blue stitching) evokes a feel of massiveness and power.  Like most Mitsubishi products, the Strada has first-rate ergonomics with the major controls including pedals, steering wheel and gear knob at all the right places.  The Strada is also the first pick-up to offer an automatic climate control system.  It's a bit gimmicky, but its nonetheless effective and easy to operate.  That's not the case however with the Strada's radio.  Although the one installed in this unit is a JVC 1-DIN, the Kenwood 1-DIN player (the default dealer option) has equally small buttons so changing stations or sources may be more difficult.  On the plus side, it contains not just an AM/FM receiver, but CD with MP3/WMA support plus a USB and Apple iPod input.  Sound quality over FM and MP3 from a CD are of average quality.  However, the direct Apple iPod connection provides good bass.

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