The Isuzu D-Max has damaged clear of the gather.
Even though the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux stay the best-selling utes in Australia, the D-Max completed 2023 in a relaxed 3rd at the gross sales charts. Up to now in 2024, it’s controlled to hold onto that spot.
The D-Max has been a cast ute since creation, however Isuzu hasn’t rested on its laurels. It’s constantly up to date the automobile through the years; first to trade in with proceedings about turning off its lively protection techniques, and therefore to provide it a current nostril, a current infotainment gadget, and revised postponed.
On take a look at this is the X-Rider, which mixes a tricky external design with a extra pared-back internal than the LS-U or X-Park.
That suggests you fail to notice some luxuries, however you’ll additionally spend much less in advance. With a decal worth sneaking in under $60,000 earlier than on-road prices, this undercuts the X-Park through greater than $10,000 on paper.
Cash smartly stored, or will have to you dig deeper into your wallet?
How does the Isuzu D-Max examine?
View an in depth breakdown of the Isuzu D-Max towards in a similar fashion sized cars.
Isuzu
D-Max
How a lot does the Isuzu D-Max value?
On take a look at this is the mid-spec X-Rider dual-cab ute which is now an everlasting a part of the D-Max length.
2024 Isuzu D-Max pricing:
| 4×2 | Worth earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| SX Unmarried Cab Chassis 1.9L guide | $32,700 ($32,490 D/A) |
| SX Unmarried Cab Chassis 1.9L auto | $34,700 |
| SX Unmarried Cab Chassis 3.0L guide | $34,700 |
| SX Unmarried Cab Chassis 3.0L auto | $36,700 |
| SX Field Cab Chassis 3.0L auto | $40,200 |
| SX Group Cab Chassis 1.9L auto | $41,200 |
| SX Group Cab Ute 1.9L auto | $42,700 |
| SX Group Cab Chassis 3.0L auto | $43,200 |
| SX Group Cab Ute 3.0L auto | $44,700 |
| LS-U Group Cab Ute 3.0L auto | $54,500 |
| 4×4 Cab Chassis | Worth earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| SX Unmarried Cab Chassis 3.0L guide | $42,700 |
| SX Unmarried Cab Chassis 3.0L auto | $44,700 |
| SX Field Cab Chassis 3.0L auto | $48,200 |
| SX Group Cab Chassis 3.0L guide | $49,200 |
| SX Group Cab Chassis 3.0L auto | $51,200 |
| LS-M Group Cab Chassis 3.0L auto | $54,300 |
| LS-U Group Cab Chassis 3.0L auto | $61,000 |
| 4×4 Ute | Worth earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| SX Group Cab Ute 1.9L auto | $50,700 |
| SX Group Cab Ute 3.0L auto | $52,700 |
| LS-M Group Cab Ute 3.0L auto | $55,800 |
| X-Rider Group Cab Ute 3.0L auto | $59,500 |
| LS-U Field Cab Ute 3.0L auto | $59,500 |
| LS-U Group Cab Ute 3.0L auto | $62,500 |
| LS-U+ Group Cab Ute 3.0L auto | $65,500 |
| X-Park Group Cab Ute 3.0L auto | $70,500 ($67,990 D/A) |
To peer how the D-Max stacks up towards its competitors, examine it the use of our comparison tool.
What’s the Isuzu D-Max like at the within?
Even though its basics haven’t modified, Isuzu has completed some sprucing in the back of the wheel of the D-Max.
There’s a current touchscreen infotainment gadget, and dials for quantity and tuning in park of the fiddly worn switches. Past that, this may glance common to somebody who’s sat in the back of the wheel of the extreme automotive.
That’s negative sinful factor. There’s simply the correct quantity of bolstering within the seats, despite the fact that the scalloped-out backrest approach there’s now not reasonably as a lot lumbar help as could be supreme, and the whole thing falls inside of simple achieve.
Isuzu has saved the pop-out cupholders at the outer edges of the dashboard for 2024 – a just right factor given the central cupholders swallow a miniature espresso cup entire, with not anything sticking out for the motive force to grasp onto. Bottom fashions leave out out, however the X-Rider additionally will get a break glovebox and a pop-top bank compartment atop the sprint.
There’s negative cushy leather-based right here; even the steerage wheel is trimmed in plastic. Even though the fairly dour sprint and fabric seats aren’t specifically offensive in a industrial car, it feels a little bit stingy that Isuzu hasn’t trimmed the wheel in leather-based.
As is in most cases the case, this will’t come near to similar a in a similar fashion priced SUV for atmosphere or luxurious.
The up to date 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen is magnificient while you’re the use of the wi-fi smartphone mirroring. At the side of the current quantity knobs, it has current graphics which can be much less aftermarket and really feel extra becoming for a ute with a decal worth across the $60k mark.
At this worth, we’d like to peer the correct atmosphere keep watch over pod from the X-Park right here in lieu of the inexpensive dark dials right here. Even a low-level Mitsubishi Triton has a extra trendy setup.
The entrance USB-A port is now a USB-C unit, despite the fact that it’s not built-in beneath the dashboard and in lieu must be plugged into the display screen housing.
As for the current knobs? Sure, they create moment more uncomplicated if you wish to song the radio or alternate quantity at the walk.
In entrance of the motive force is a straightforward i’m ready of analogue dials, between which sits a 4.2-inch color travel laptop show. At the side of a virtual speedo, it presentations details about your off-road {hardware}, gasoline economic system, and media.
Rear leg room is par for the dual-cab ute magnificence, as is toe room. There’s enough quantity of head room again there, and youngsters or difficult apprentices will admire the breeze vents on sizzling days.
There are two ISOFIX issues and 3 peak tether mounts again there, and the seat bases elevate as much as distant up extra area for pieces you don’t wish to slot into the tray.
Someone who desires to suit a kid seat will wish to be affected person. As is the case in these types of dual-cab utes, the truth the peak tether level is up towards the rear bulkhead makes it complicated to fix a finicky seat anchor.
We loved the inclusion of a hook behind the passenger seat for shopping bags and other bits and pieces that have a habit of flying around the cabin.
| Dimensions | Isuzu D-Max X-Rider |
|---|---|
| Length | 5285mm |
| Width | 1870mm excl. mirrors |
| Height | 1790mm |
| Wheelbase | 3125mm |
| Tub length | 1495mm (top) 1570mm (floor) |
| Tub width | 1530mm (maximum) 1122mm (between arches) |
| Tub depth | 490mm |
To see how the D-Max stacks up against its rivals, compare it using our comparison tool.
What’s beneath the bonnet?
There aren’t any adjustments to the engine within the D-Max between the pre- and post-update vehicles.
| Style | Isuzu D-Max X-Rider |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.0L 4cyl turbo-diesel |
| Energy | 140kW @ 3600rpm |
| Torque | 450Nm @ 1600rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed computerized |
| Pushed wheels | Section-time four-wheel pressure (2H, 4H, 4L) |
| Weight | 2055kg (kerb) |
| Payload | 1045kg |
| Improper car cluster (GVM) | 3100kg |
| Towing capability | 3500kg (braked) 750kg (unbraked) |
| Improper mixed cluster (GCM) | 6000kg |
| Gasoline economic system – claimed | 8.0L/100km |
| Gasoline tank dimension | 76 litres |
| Gasoline requirement | Diesel |
To peer how the D-Max stacks up towards its competitors, examine it the use of our comparison tool.
How does the Isuzu D-Max pressure?
Very negligible has modified within the D-Max from in the back of the wheel, which is really a just right factor.
The engine rest a winner, a minimum of along its four-cylinder competitors.
It’s nonetheless a little bit clattery on startup, however the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine is sleek and tranquility enough quantity at low speeds to really feel good-looking subtle through dual-cab requirements.
Top torque comes on faucet at simply 1600rpm and sticks round till 2600rpm, so efficiency is robust off the mark. It remains symmetrical because the revs develop, providing precisely what the motive force desires, when they would like it.
With 300Nm of torque still on tap at 4000rpm, it also doesn’t run out of puff as the mid-range bleeds into the top end. Slightly dampening the appeal of this engine is the 3.0-litre V6 on offer in the Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok.
It stacks up smartly towards four-cylinder competitors just like the Triton, however the $6000 bounce to a Ranger XLT V6 is tantalising if it’s natural punch you’re next.
Mated to the engine is a smooth-moving six-speed computerized. It’s unobtrusive many of the life, shuffling well via gears while you’re cruising round the city.
The result’s a ute that feels assured and, through utility of the truth it’s now not repeatedly converting its thoughts about the finest equipment on bright throttle, sleek at the walk. It’s additionally intriguing enough quantity to let go a equipment going downhill to profit from the engine braking.
With bright steerage and cast all-round eye, the D-Max is straightforward to park on the town. The parking sensors paintings with a (nonetheless reasonable) reversing digital camera to trade in a worthy image of what’s happening round you, banishing recollections of what was once required within the earlier type.
Trip feature is good-looking just right when there’s not anything within the tray. This isn’t an X-Park; it has a payload of a couple of tonne, and stocks chunks of its internal with hard-wearing fleet fashions. It’s now not a bouncy mess despite the fact that, with enough quantity compliance to take a seat extra at the SUV with a tray finish of the ute spectrum.
There’s a touch of sharpness over potholes or whisk bumps, however the rear finish settles temporarily, and not feels find it irresistible desires to wander away in a detached route to the nostril.
The low-speed skill doesn’t create the D-Max really feel flighty at freeway speeds. It’s confidence-inspiring at the observable avenue, and the relative dearth of breeze and avenue noise approach it’s one of the most higher dual-cab utes wherein to day away life at the observable avenue.
We’ve previously loaded 650kg into the rear of the D-Max. Although the engine has to work harder the ride settles down with more weight over the rear axle, and there’s no awkward squatting with a load on board.
As earlier than, 4×4 variations of the D-Max attribute 2H, 4H, and 4L fashions for his or her four-wheel pressure techniques. That suggests you wish to have to be on an unsealed floor to turn on it, not like within the current Mitsubishi Triton or Ford Ranger V6 with their 4A forms.
The weighty information relating to off-roading is the addition of Tough Park form, which tweaks how traction keep watch over gadget works.
In the past, we’ve discovered the D-Max can attempt to position its energy indisposed when it has one wheel within the breeze; the current Tough Park setup solves that condition.
Another way, we’ve discovered this can be a cast off-roader. The inclusion of a rear differential lock was once welcome with this new-generation automotive, despite the fact that in our trying out we’ve prior to now discovered the hill descent keep watch over gadget is liable to infrequently letting the car’s momentum break out.
What do you get?
On take a look at is the mid-spec D-Max X-Rider, which was once prior to now a limited-edition type however is now an everlasting a part of the length with the untouched replace.
D-Max LS-U highlights:
- 17-inch metal wheels
- Dunlop AT25 tyres
- 3-leaf usual rear postponed (Ute fashions)
- 3-leaf heavy-duty rear postponed (Cab Chassis fashions)
- Halogen headlights
- Welcome headlight serve as
- Automated high-beam
- Gloss Dark and Subject material Dark grille
- Tailgate lend a hand (Ute fashions)
- 4.2-inch multi-information show
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment show
- Stressed out and wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- DAB+ virtual radio
- 4-speaker tone gadget
- Two USB-C ports (one in Unmarried Cab and Field Cab)
- USB-A port for aftermarket sprint cam
- Breeze-conditioning with HEPA clear out
- Rear breeze vents (Group Cab fashions)
- Urethane steerage wheel
- Urethane transmission selector
- Urethane handbrake
- Vinyl ground
- Fabric upholstery
D-Max LS-M provides:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- 3-leaf usual rear postponed (Ute fashions)
- Bi-LED headlights
- LED fog lighting fixtures
- Rear parking sensors (Ute fashions)
- Frame-coloured mirrors, door handles and tailgate take care of
- Gloss Dark and Gray Metal grille
- Prime-grade fabric upholstery
D-Max X-Rider provides:
- Gloss dark 17-inch alloy wheels
- Dark grille
- Dark entrance underbody spoiler
- Lightless gray grille encompass
- Dark rear step bar
- Dark mirrors, door handles and tailgate take care of
- Dark B-pillars
- Lightless gray sidesteps
- Dark internal door handles
- Lightless gray and dark internal door trims
- Piano dark steerage wheel spoke trims
- Dark headlining
- Satin dark sports activities bar
- Dark cushy tonneau guard
- ‘X’ badging on tailgate
Is the Isuzu D-Max secure?
The Isuzu D-Max wears a five-star ANCAP protection score, in line with trying out carried out in 2020.
| Evaluate | Isuzu D-Max |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant coverage | 33 out of 38 (86 in step with cent) |
| Kid occupant coverage | 44 out of 49 (89 in step with cent) |
| Prone avenue person coverage | 37.63 out of 54 (69 in step with cent) |
| Protection lend a hand | 13.49 out of 16 (84 in step with cent) |
It gained a design alternate to the motive force’s knee airbag and software panel in July 2022 and was once re-tested, maintaining its five-star rating.
Same old protection apparatus comprises:
- 8 airbags
- Independent disaster braking
- Aimless-spot tracking
- Driving force consideration tracking
- Ahead hit blackmail
- Lane-departure blackmail
- Lane-keep lend a hand
- Rear cross-traffic lend a hand
- Flip lend a hand
- Adaptive cruise keep watch over with forbid and move
- Site visitors signal popularity
- Driving force consideration lend a hand
- Reversing digital camera
Automated fashions additionally upload wrong-pedal acceleration blackmail. LS-M Ute variants upload rear parking sensors, LS-U and up upload tyre drive tracking, and entrance parking sensors are reserved for the flagship X-Park.
How a lot does the Isuzu D-Max value to run?
The Isuzu D-Max lined through a six-year, 150,000km guaranty. While you provider on agenda at an Isuzu broker, as much as seven years of roadside aid is obtainable.
Logbook servicing is needed each and every twelve months or 15,000km, whichever comes first, except a complimentary three-month provider.
Isuzu D-Max provider pricing:
| Carrier | Worth |
|---|---|
| 3 months or 3000km | Isolated |
| twelve months or 15,000km | $449 |
| 24 months or 30,000km | $449 |
| 36 months or 45,000km | $449 |
| 48 months or 60,000km | $449 |
| 60 months or 75,000km | $449 |
CarExpert’s Hurry at the Isuzu D-Max
The D-Max rest a powerful performer within the crowded ute international.
It smartly blends refinement with such a rugged enchantment dual-cab consumers call for, and the untouched replace brings significant enhancements to the cabin generation.
The X-Rider seems tricky, and it’s sharply priced along lower-end variations of the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux – together with mid-level takes at the Mitsubishi Triton, which is not the knockout worth possibility it as soon as was once.
There’s nonetheless room for development. Modest such things as the guide air-conditioning pod and plastic steerage wheel appear to be affordable upgrades that’d additional lift the automobile.
When you’re a ute purchaser with some cash to spend, however can’t reasonably stretch to the peak finish of the length the X-Rider is interesting.
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