Ute Selection

William

Based on your use you appear to not be hardcore in any task. In that case and in my opinion go for the ute you like best. There is a lot to be said for getting the one that looks, feels and smells right for you. Take a decent test drive on both. You obviously already narrowed it down to two (from a cast of many in this segment)

New cars all drive OK and so isn't an indicator of much.

The problem rate is a telling factor and one of the makes you have mentioned has plenty of problems because of the company which controls the quality in the vehicle.

The service costs are another thing to look at.
Any fixed price servicing can possibly not deliver quality lubricants to the vitals of your new vehicle. Often, (hard to prove though) some service items are not done because it is fixed price servicing. Who will know it isn't done eh?

Do some searches for problems with both makes and see what turns up.

One make will show plenty.

That may decide which one will be your choice of new vehicle.

They're both GM but it's hard to beat the Isuzu. I've had a Rodeo (rebadged Isuzu) for almost 9 years and it has been far better than I ever expected. CSR, 4 crossings of the Simpson (including the Madigan), Anne Beadell x 3, Connie Sue, Gunbarrel, Talawana and lots of others. Nothing broken, great performance and great fuel economy. This is how it handled Big Red about 3 weeks ago - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvYJ8xpzqvc

I know the Isuzu is down on horsepower compared to the European engined Colorado, but I'd take it anyway. Per the above post, I had the 4jji Colorado (all Isuzu with the same engine as the new one) for 6 years and it is an extremely trustworthy setup with the right amount of power every time.

Just my personal opinion. I would go for the D-Max. A 5 year warranty can't be a bad thing.

Isuzu have been making some very good larger trucks for a while now so should have a handle on things automotive. Having said that, there appear to be a heap of happy Colorado owners out there.

Cheers
Pop

Both are very good 4x4's.

Beware of the Isuzu:
My mate purchased one for the similar purpose as you. He is a grey nomad a halls a caravan all over SA.
His first trip along a long corrugated road, his dash fell to bits, all the screws rattled out.
Easy fix and no problems since.

You mentioned "maybe some rough tracks"
Beware of the Colorado:
Another mate has the Colorado, even with a 2" lift he has clearance issue's going over sharp peaks. In comparison a Triton with a 2" lift just clears but the Colorado will get stuck on the peak and either have to snatch or winch him over.

Remember that isuzu is primarly a pretty good diesel engine manufacturer that makes pretty fair vehicles and they dominate the light to medium truck market in this country for very good reasons.

GM on the other hand have a very long history of half baked designs and lately other peoples engines

Its a no brainer...the isuzu no question

cheers

The Isuzu would be my chioce from them 2, I'm going to get the ranger in a couple of weeks.