Isuzu D-Max 2012 Review

This is ute country. The macho machines are lined up out the front of the Birdsville pub, resplendent with pig-shooting lights, roll bars, oversized tyres and jacked up suspenders.

Our basic no-frills Isuzu D-Max LS-M crew cab almost looks the part with its optional roof racks and standard all-terrain tyres. It certainly helps nullify the embarrassment of turning up to a gun fight with three blunt sticks - in this case our three luxury SUVs.

In the end it's not needed for that, but it is still our pack horse, carrying three spare wheels, camping gear, gas bottles, extra fuel, even a dinghy.

The heavy load doesn't faze it at all. It actually rides better over the lumps and bumps, never hitting the bump stops. Together with the comfortable seats, it was actually the most comfy ride of all four vehicles.

As for the dunes, it was a piece of cake in high-range four-wheel drive with 14psi in the tyres.

Despite the heavy load, it returned 9.7 litres per 100km which is only slightly above the claimed 9L/100km. That makes it good for range of more than 750km out of the 76 litre tank.

For the off-road fanatics, it has 225mm of clearance while approach, departure and breakover angle are 34.6/23.3/21.

For those who don't care, it will tackle just about any obstacle.

Isuzu D-Max LS-M Crew Cab

Price: $42,800
Warranty: 3 years/unlimited km
Resale: 52%
Service interval: 10,000km/6 months
Safety rating: 3 star
Spare: full-size
Engine: 2900cc turbo-diesel 4-cyl, 120kW/333Nm
Transmission: 4-speed auto; AWD
Body: 5m (L); 1.8m (w); 1.7m (h)
Weight: 1874kg
Towing: 3 tonne
Thirst: 9/100km; /237km CO2
Options: towbar ($484) and roof racks ($340)