Isuzu Traviz

Like the exterior, the interior of the Isuzu Traviz also looks very plain and basic, and a bit outdated, since it hasn’t changed right from the day it debuted. The overall grey-themed cabin of the Isuzu Traviz has light grey-coloured dashboard and dark grey-coloured centre console.

The Isuzu Traviz has a two-spoke steering wheel, behind which sits the conventional instrument console with a binnacle that has a curved upper surface. This instrument console has functional analogue dials for the speedometer and odometer and a small LCD screen between them for the fuel gauge and other data required while driving. The centre console of the Isuzu Traviz has a broad design, which gets vertically-aligned rectangular AC vents on the sides and a 1-DIN audio system in between them.

Below the 1-DIN audio system, the centre console also houses the control panel for the manual air conditioner. The dashboard corners have rounded AC vents, with cup holders attached below them. The cabin is decently spacious for two passengers, with the seats having a fixed design with no adjustability. 

Pros and Cons:

Pro: Centre console design looks pleasant

Con: No adjustability for the seats 

Features and Technology

The Isuzu Traviz is a hardcore commercial vehicle at heart, which focuses on form over function and convenience features. While it is a proper workhorse, there are a few features in the cabin of the Isuzu Traviz which do instil some modernity in the cabin.

The Isuzu Traviz comes with a 1-DIN audio system with radio and USB compatibility and manual air conditioner, the panels for which are placed in the centre console of the dashboard. The Traviz also comes with the convenience of a power steering, though power windows have been given a miss here.

Since modern-day trucks are evolving with new-age designs and features, it is disappointing to see that the equipment list of the Traviz has remained unchanged since its launch in 2019. 

Pros and cons:

Pro: Manual air conditioner works effortlessly

Con: Lack of modern features in the cabin

Boot Space and Storage

The Isuzu Traviz is a compact pickup truck, which means that it doesn’t come with a closed boot compartment, but a loading bay at the rear of its occupant cabin. The deck has a payload capacity of 1,655-1,660 kg, which is excellent for a small pickup truck. Even the aluminium van and refrigerated van configurations are practical and very spacious, fulfilling the purpose of the pickup truck.

In the occupant cabin, the Traviz has decent number of storage spaces, in the form of the cup holders ahead of the AC vents on the corners of the dashboard and in the lower centre console. There is also a small but practical closed glove box in the co-passenger side of the dashboard. 

Pros and cons:

Pro: Excellent payload capacity

Con: No bottle holders and map pockets in door panels

The design of the Isuzu Traviz has remained the same since its debut in 2018, which might make one feel that it is too long in the tooth. However, the overall design of the Traviz looks functional, and due to the curvaceous design for the front profile, it also looks slightly different from the other compact pickup trucks on sale. 

The slanted windscreen at the front, which covers the upper half of the front profile, has rounded edges. Coming to the lower half of the front profile, the Isuzu Traviz has an almost vertical front apron, which has three tilted slats on the sides and a large and wide grille and headlamps at the bottom.

The front grille of the Isuzu Traviz has a rectangular design, with the single grey-coloured slat of the grille having a dual-humped design that makes the front look of the truck quite distinctive. The headlamps on the sides of the grille also look unique with their curved upper edges and grey finish for the surrounds of the halogen lights.

The Isuzu Traviz comes with a body-coloured front grille, which also has a dual-humped design in the middle, just like that of the front grille slat. Coming to the side profile, the Isuzu Traviz has blacked-out rearview mirrors and door handles, curved window waistline and 13-inch steel wheels. The front wheel arches also have prominent curves over them.

Available only in the white colour option, the Isuzu Traviz is being offered in three body configurations – dropside truck, aluminium van and refrigerated van. In all the three configurations, the Traviz has rectangular halogen tail lamps are placed on the sides of the rear bumper. 

Pros and cons:

Pro: Unique design for the front grille and front bumper

Cons: Overall design looks too basic and dated

The claimed fuel efficiency of the Isuzu Traviz from its 2.5-litre diesel engine is 13 kmpl. For a conventional, old-school engine, this claimed fuel efficiency figure is quite decent. However, for a vehicle of its size and the modest power and torque figures of this engine, the fuel efficiency could have been better.

Pros and cons:

Pro: Decent efficiency on highways

Con: Real-world city efficiency could have been better

Built on a ladder-on-frame chassis, the Isuzu Traviz comes with a rugged and simple suspension setup of double wishbone with coil springs at the front and semi-elliptical leaf springs at the rear. The overall ride quality of the Traviz might not be considered plush or comfortable. However, it is this same suspension setup which gives the Traviz appreciable load-carrying capability and stability over bad roads and heavy load conditions. 

The Isuzu Traviz comes with power steering, which makes driving this compact-sized pickup truck very convenient in city conditions. This truck has a claimed turning radius of 4.5 metres, which is one of the smallest in its class.  

Pros and Cons:

Pro: Small turning radius due to light power steering

Con: Harsh ride quality

Powering the Isuzu Traviz is an old-school 2.5-litre four-cylinder diesel engine. Dubbed as Isuzu Blue Power engine, this diesel powertrain is paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox and churns out a maximum power output of 78 PS and a maximum torque output of 176.5 Nm. 

For a small commercial vehicle of its size, the power and torque outputs of this engine are pretty decent, and give the Traviz a good pulling power even in full load conditions. However, given that this engine is a few generations old, the noise, vibration and harshness levels of this engine are not as up to the mark as modern-day engines. Refinement levels are low as the RPMs rise.  

Pros and cons:

Pro: Reliable and torquey diesel engine

Con: Refinement levels are low at higher RPMs

The only safety features offered in the Isuzu Traviz are reverse parking sensors and safety seat belts for cabin occupants. The Traviz doesn’t come with even a driver airbag, which is quite shocking and reduces the safety quotient of the small pickup truck. It even doesn’t get ABS and EBD, which makes it an old-school vehicle from its roots. 

Pros and cons:

Pro: Reverse parking sensors offered as standard

Con: No airbags and ABS

Competitor Comparison

The direct competition for the Isuzu Traviz comes from the Japanese rivals including the Toyota Tamaraw and Mitsubishi L300. The Korean alternatives like Hyundai H-100 and Kia K2500 are also considered direct rivals to the Traviz. In addition, a few other Asian compact pickup trucks like Tata Super Ace Mint from India and Foton Harabas TM 300 and Kaicene X5 can also be considered due to their similar size but more affordable pricing. 

Conclusion and Final Verdict

The Isuzu Traviz is a frills-free compact pickup truck, which might not impress you with the way it looks or how much it is equipped, given that it has old-school roots with functionality at its best. However, it matters more where the compact pickup trucks should perform, such as reliability, durability, load-carrying capacity and pulling power. 

While the durable and time-tested 2.5-litre diesel engine feels outdated, it is perfect for the job of making the Traviz an excellent load haulier. In addition, the Isuzu Traviz has robust and durable underpinnings, which make the pickup truck fit for the job.