8 Minutes
Meet the AT35: an overland pick-up with a personality
The Isuzu D-Max AT35 is not a subtle vehicle. It arrives like a statement — oversized tyres, a raised stance and an unmistakable low rumble — and behaves the same way. Built from a familiar D-Max base and reworked by Icelandic specialists Arctic Trucks, the AT35 is designed to do one thing exceptionally well: go where ordinary pickups won’t. It looks and sounds like a miniature monster truck and, more importantly, it can actually back that theatre up with capability.
From farm truck to expedition machine
Arctic Trucks began life adapting four-wheel-drive vehicles in 1990 and evolved into a global 4x4 engineering brand. Since 2016 the company has been converting Isuzu D-Max models, producing hundreds of modified pick-ups. The result of this collaboration is a vehicle that blends Isuzu’s well-earned reputation for durability with Arctic Trucks’ polar-tested expertise. Their CV includes headline-making feats such as the fastest overland South Pole journey and record-setting polar expeditions — proof that Arctic Trucks builds for environments where failure is not an option.
What Arctic Trucks adds
The AT35 package is more than cosmetics. Key upgrades include:
- 35-inch BFGoodrich KO2 all-terrain tyres mounted on 17 x 10-inch Arctic Trucks black alloy wheels
- bespoke AT Bilstein suspension that lifts ride height substantially
- strengthened and reprofiled chassis and bodywork
- side steps, mudflaps and a black powder-coated roll bar
- roof lightbar and Lazer Elite 6 grille lamps for serious night vision Inside, Arctic Trucks badges appear on leather seats, mats and door sills, reinforcing that this is no ordinary D-Max.
Engine, drivetrain and on-road behaviour
Under the bonnet the AT35 keeps the D-Max’s 1.9-litre turbodiesel, producing 164 horsepower and 360 Nm of torque. Arctic Trucks have focused on chassis, suspension and tyres rather than engine tuning, so the powertrain remains familiar. The AT35 retains full four-wheel drive and adds the D-Max’s Rough Terrain Mode, which improves traction in mud and snow — a useful tool when tyres of this scale begin to bite into soft surfaces.
Driving the AT35 is an exercise in sensory immersion. The torquey diesel produces a constant low rumble that fills the cabin; the 35-inch tyres add audible clout and a distinct vibration through the body. On broken roads, the custom suspension is forgiving in its purpose — it soaks up obstacles with authority — but on smooth tarmac the ride becomes a reminder that this truck was made for extremes, not showroom refinement. Expect thumps, body movement and a lively cabin, but also an unmistakable grin whenever you clear yet another unseen obstacle.
Steering and manoeuvrability are typical of large, long-wheelbase trucks. The steering provides precise small inputs, but turning the over-five-metre-long body requires effort, especially at car-park speeds or when attempting tight U-turns. The gearbox throws are deliberate, and the accelerator needs a firm, confident push to coax peak performance out of the diesel, reinforced by a short first gear familiar to D-Max owners.
Off-road: where the AT35 shines
This is where the AT35 earns its price tag. The combination of extra ground clearance, wide-stance wheels and chunky tyres lets it traverse green lanes, rutted tracks and steep, root-strewn sections with speed and poise. In many situations you barely need to touch Rough Terrain Mode or low range; the truck’s natural geometry and momentum make progression the default. Arctic Trucks’ build quality means the chassis and bodywork feel reinforced against the kind of impacts and flexing that would unsettle lesser builds.
Quote: 'If the road has ended, the AT35 is only getting started.'
Practicality and everyday usability
Despite its off-road focus, the AT35 remains a genuinely usable pick-up. Payload is rated at around one tonne and towing capacity sits at 3.5 tonnes — figures that line up with mainstream commercial expectations. Inside there’s ample space for people and kit, and the higher seating position gives excellent visibility and that satisfying 'I can see everything' feeling.
Fuel economy is respectable considering the package: Isuzu claims low-30s mpg in favourable conditions, and real-world use tends to hover around 30 mpg if you mix off-road work with sensible road driving. In short, you could live with this as a daily driver if you accept its theatrical presence and the compromises that come with large tyres and lifted suspension.
Design and road presence
The AT35 doesn’t hide its intentions. On the example tested, Biarritz Blue paint contrasted with dark grey grille elements and black trim set against muscular flared arches, giving the truck an intentionally aggressive stance. The 35-inch BFGoodrich KO2 tyres on wide AT wheels do more than look dramatic — they widen the footprint, improve flotation over soft ground and define the truck’s silhouette.
Arctic Trucks have also fitted robust sidesteps with non-slip surfaces that double as side protection. They are effective, but the elevated step height does make ingress and egress more of an event — you feel like you are climbing into a small fortress rather than stepping into a conventional pick-up.
Lighting is functional as much as it is bold. The roof-mounted lightbar and Lazer Elite 6 grille units are available across other Isuzu derivatives, but here they are particularly useful: they turn night-time trails into navigable corridors. Sensible use is important though — such powerful lights can blind oncoming drivers if used thoughtlessly.
Price and market positioning
Capability like this comes at a cost. The AT35 starts at £58,095 on the road excluding VAT. By comparison, a similarly equipped automatic V-Cross without Arctic Trucks conversions is listed at about £41,395 before VAT. With VAT added, the AT35 lands around £69,634 and a special paint finish adds roughly £720 — Splash White remains a no-cost option. If you’re buying an AT35, you’re paying a premium for engineering, certification and a vehicle that is effectively ready for serious expeditions straight from the dealership.
Who is the AT35 for?
- Enthusiasts who want a ready-made, high-clearance expedition vehicle
- Owners who need certified payload and towing capability plus extreme off-road performance
- Buyers who appreciate bespoke engineering and global overland heritage
If you want a daily commuter with a soft ride and subtle styling, look elsewhere. But if your weekend plans include muddy trails, remote campsites or simply standing out in a sea of bland SUVs, the AT35 makes a compelling, purposeful case.
Final thoughts: spectacular, specialized, and seriously capable
The Isuzu D-Max AT35 is an unapologetically extreme take on a mainstream pick-up. Arctic Trucks have applied decades of expedition experience to a reliable D-Max platform and produced a machine that feels unstoppable in rough country. It sacrifices some on-road comfort and economy in exchange for confidence and capability off it.
This is a truck for drivers who want control, space and a guarantee that, when the road ends, they can keep going. It is loud, hands-on and occasionally impractical for narrow urban streets, but it delivers exactly what it promises: a bonkers, go-anywhere pick-up that will take you farther than most competitors.
Highlights:
- 1.9-litre turbodiesel: 164 hp and 360 Nm
- 35-inch BFGoodrich KO2 tyres on 17 x 10-inch AT alloys
- Reinforced chassis, AT Bilstein lifted suspension
- 1-tonne payload and 3.5-tonne towing capacity
- Price reflects expedition-grade conversions and certification
If you dream of a pickup that is engineered to eat rough tracks for breakfast and still tow a caravan home for tea, the AT35 is worth a look. Where to go first? Almost anywhere.
Source: autoevolution
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