Isuzu 3.5-Tonne Grafter Wins 9th Consecutive Best Builders’ Truck Award

    Posted On: Wednesday 28 July 2021

    Isuzu’s N35 Grafter has once again taken home Trade Van Driver magazine’s Best Builders’ Truck award; this makes the ninth consecutive year the truck has won the award. (Photo courtesy of Isuzu.)


    Isuzu is now nine-for-nine in winning Trade Van Driver’s “Best Builder’s Truck” award after the Grafter 3.5-tonne (3.85-U.S.-ton) truck won the award for the ninth consecutive time. Trade Van Driver’s annual awards are judged by the magazine’s expert panel of journalists and readers who use light commercial vehicles. Each award recognises the best option for retail buyers in specific categories.


    “We are absolutely delighted that our Grafter has maintained its 100% success rate over all nine years of these awards, and this reflects the natural fit of the Grafter in the tough working environments experienced within the building, landscaping, construction, and arboricultural industries,” says Isuzu Truck UK Managing Director Pete Murphy.


    Reaction From The Panel

    The panel noted the rugged design of the Isuzu’s Grafter as a major bonus for builders. In summarising its choice, Trade Van Driver notes, “Builders’ trucks take an enormous amount of punishment in their lives, so anyone buying into this sector needs to know that the vehicle they choose is tough enough for the job. Once again, the judges felt that the Isuzu Grafter ticked all the boxes here. The Grafter is a truck which will go on for years without a murmur, even in the toughest of climates.”


    The 3.5-Tonne Grafter

    Isuzu’s N35 Grafter features a gross vehicle weight and a maximum trailer weight of 3,500 kilograms (7,716 pounds). A wide variety of body options from the factory are available to adapt the truck to the needs of builders, including chassis cab, dropside, tipper, and Utilitruck bodies. In early 2021, Isuzu expanded on the 120-horsepower (89-kilowatt) Grafter with an option for a six-speed automatic gearbox in addition to the existing manual transmission.


    Find The Right Isuzu Truck

    Visit Truck Locator for a variety of new and used Isuzu trucks for sale, including D-Max, Grafter N35, N75, and NQR models and more.


    Source: Isuzu

      Blog Archive
    5-Star Performance! Scania P-Cab Duo Receive Euro NCAP's Top Rating
    Posted 22/04/2026
    Joining Scania's L-cab 6x2 refuse truck, which received Euro NCAP's top rating in 2026, are a pair of P-cab trucks in 4x2 distribution and 6x2 utility forms. ...
    Read the full blog post
    2026 Truck Shows Across Ireland & The UK
    Posted 21/04/2026
    There is a rich history of trade shows, conferences, expos, and other truck and trailer industry events taking place each year throughout Ireland and the UK, and 2026 is no different. ...
    Read the full blog post
    New DAF Used Trucks Center Opens In Warsaw
    Posted 14/04/2026
    The new centre responds to the growing demand for young pre-owned DAF vehicles in Central and Eastern Europe and strengthens DAF Trucks’ European Used Truck Network. ...
    Read the full blog post
    Volvo Launches New Electric Trucks—With Ranges Up To 700 Kilometres
    Posted 14/04/2026
    Volvo Trucks has set a new benchmark for heavy-duty trucks with the launch of its latest electric models with improved performance, flexibility, and ranges up to 700 kilometres. ...
    Read the full blog post
    Maia Waste Stays With Volvo For Build Quality, Reliability
    Posted 03/04/2026
    Wakefield-based skip hire and waste management provider Maia Waste selected a new Volvo FH Aero 8x4 rigid with hookloader bodywork for its fleet for build quality, driving performance, and reliability. ...
    Read the full blog post
    Relay Technical Transport Returns To Don-Bur For Specialist Equipment Trailers
    Posted 19/03/2026
    Don-Bur has supplied a batch of specialist box van trailers to Relay Technical Transport, designed for the safe distribution of photocopiers and other sensitive office equipment. ...
    Read the full blog post
    Iveco Unveils The 1st Road-Ready eDaily With Integrated Dynamic & Static Wireless Charging
    Posted 04/03/2026
    A new step toward the future of mobility is taking shape along the A35 Brebemi with the eDaily taking center stage as the first road-ready vehicle equipped for integrated wireless charging. ...
    Read the full blog post
    Manoeuvrability & Payload Capacity Sells PW Tanking Services On Volvo FM
    Posted 25/02/2026
    PW Tanking Services specified its Volvo FM 6x2 rigid vacuum truck with a hydraulically steered tag axle and a VBG drawbar coupling that lets the firm’s drivers pull a tanker trailer and maximise each route. ...
    Read the full blog post
    DAF XF Electric Awarded ‘Eco-Friendly Truck Of The Year’
    Posted 13/02/2026
    The DAF XF Electric has been awarded ‘2026 Eco-Friendly Truck of the Year’ by a Spanish jury, in recognition of the vehicle’s strong focus on sustainability, advanced technology, and excellent overall performance. ...
    Read the full blog post
    Wordsworth Excavations Increases Heavy-Haulage Capacity With New Renault Trucks T High
    Posted 22/01/2026
    Wordsworth Excavations chose the Renault Trucks T High 6x2 tractor unit to haul plant and equipment to work sites due to its power, comfort, and versatility. ...
    Read the full blog post