IMAGES of the Yukon conjure up wild mountain men and huskies driving through the snow with indominitable panache - and that just about sums up the Isuzu D-Max pick-up, which now comes with the marque's Yukon premium spec' designation in extended cab form.

Isuzu's pick-up is the top selling truck in the UK and it is no surprise to find that it is a firm favourite with farmers and country users, especially since its towing capacity was uprated to the full 3.5-tonnes (braked).

The pick-up is by far Isuzu's most important vehicle in the UK and it does tend to pay attention to detail where any changes to the design are made. Most often seen in double cab configration, the model I had on test was that half-way house called an 'extended cab' version.

This is more of a workaday type of vehicle, but now Isuzu have made it a little more easy to live with by up-spec'cing it. The extended cab configuration features standard front seats, behind which is a large load area, incorporating a fold-down rear bench for occasional use.

It's especially useful for carrying bits and pieces that you don't want to put in the flat-bed load area and even awkward bits of kit can be fitted in behind the driver's seat thanks to its lack of a door pillar, with the rear-hinged second door offering superb access.

Yukon spec' adds cruise control, air conditioning, 17-inch alloy wheels, chrome grille and rear bumper, heavy-duty side steps, six-speaker surround-sound audio system with a roof-mounted speaker, as well as high-visibility projector headlamps and LED rear light clusters to the inventory.

As usual, power comes from Isuzu's well-proven, if a little noisy, 2.5-litre twin-turbo common-rail diesel engine. This is rated at 161bhp with an impressive peak torque output of 400 Nm starting at just 1400 rpm - which makes it a great towing machine.

That's all matched to a six-speed manual transmission and the extended-cab has the ability give you almost 39 mpg in normal running. Like all models in the D-Max range, the Yukon comes with Isuzu's five-year/125,000-mile warranty and its running costs are kept down by 12,000 miles, or 24-month service interval.

Add to that its standard three years recovery and assistance cover, a three-year paint warranty, and a six-year anti-corrosion warranty, and the pick-up looks good value with its price of £19,249 on the road (ex VAT).

In practical terms, the D-Max's ride is a little bouncy without a load in the rear bed, but a quick look underneath reveals some pretty sturdy metalwork and it's off-road capabilities are up there with the best in class.

A turn-knob switch allows two-wheel-drive for most on road occasions, and it can be shifted on the move within reason into four-wheel-drive high, with a low-box option too for some serious stuff off-road, though you need to be stationary to select that gearing.

For busy work people, the D-Max excels in providing cubby holes and compartments for tools and the like and with its purposeful and sturdy looks, there is no wonder that it continues to sell well - its sales in 2014 were up by one third on the previous year and it has been selling strongly again this year.

A little bit more refinement from the engine and there would be little to complain about with the D-Max - and check out that number plate, who wouldn't want that?