So, The New Toyota Pick-up Truck..

[RDN]

...Well, noisyness is a bit of a hallmark of Isuzu. :-)  It's gradually getting better though, even though the D-Max still uses the same engine as was the latest one to go into the previous model, I think the sound insulation is better.  They're definitely due for a new engine though, likely accompanied by a minor change in looks to compete with the new Toyota.

One of the reasons I went with Toyota and not Isuzu is the noise. Another was the number of Isuzus that I saw belching smoke (oil or diesel I couldn't tell), and the last was the brand name - Toyota being much more popular in the UK than Isuzu.

But the large number of dealers and quality of after sales service makes me want to try Isuzu next time.

As for shaky, all diesel engines are shaky, and with time I think it wears out the engine mounts that keep the engine in place.  ...

My Toyota always shakes when I start it, but only for a couple of seconds. Then I usually drive out of the house and to the end of the dirt soi (50 metres) on tick-over in second and third gears. No need to touch the accelerator until I'm onto the tarmac soi.

...the Ford engine is ... a lot thirstier than Isuzu and recent Toyota engines.  If I try *VERY* hard then I get 11.5 kilometers out of a liter.  Isuzu gives me 15 kilometers without even trying, and Toyota D4D should be even more fuel efficient still. ...

I keep track of my fuel consumption and I am getting 13.1 km/l. (Toyota Hilux Tiger, 2 wheel drive, 2.5 litre turbo-diesel, D4D commonrail engine).