2023 Ford Ranger vs Isuzu D-Max
What's the difference?

Ford Ranger

$26,500 - $97,990

2023 price

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Isuzu D-Max

$24,490 - $77,225

2023 price

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Volkswagen Transporter

Summary

2023 Ford Ranger

2023 Isuzu D-Max

By David Morley

By Laura Berry

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Diesel Twin Turbo 4, 2.0L

Diesel Turbo 4, 1.9L

Fuel Type

Diesel

Fuel Efficiency

7.4L/100km (combined)

7.0L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Looks great
Full-time AWD
Roomy cabin

Update adds tailgate assist to Ute
New deactivation of blind-spot warning when towing
New styling features

Dislikes

Some engine vibration
Rear seat firmness
Fiddly shift buttons

Less torque than Ranger
Grille design could be tougher looking
150,000km warranty should be unlimited km

2023 Ford Ranger Summary

Announced way back in March this year, Ford’s Ranger Wildtrak X is finally hitting showrooms.

It joins other Ranger variants in the rather crowded top end of the Ranger price ladder where it’s designed to form a price-bridge between the regular Wildtrak models and the all-singing, all-dancing Ranger Raptor. Or so the story goes.

In reality, it’s a bit more complicated than that with the Wildtrak X restricted to the 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel engine (rather than the V6 turbo-diesel) but also becoming the first four-cylinder diesel Ranger to use the all-wheel drive platform pioneered on the Raptor and V6 diesel models.

That system incorporates a 4A mode which allows the vehicle to be driven in all-wheel drive on dry bitumen. It’s a great plus for towing and for roads that could have slippery patches you can’t anticipate.

On top of hat, the Wildtrak X boasts some high-end additions that elevate its potential for off- and on-road performance while also introducing elements that have become calling cards for the latest generation of high-end dual-cabs.

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2023 Isuzu D-Max Summary

Isuzu has updated its D-Max ute? Why? Well, in Australia the makers of utes are in a fierce battle to win you over because this big island we live on is the Land of the Ute. The ute originated here. In fact, the best selling car in Australia isn’t a car - it’s a ute.

Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi Triton, Isuzu D-Max. We love utes so much they should change the name of Australia to something more ute-appropriate. Like, the Ute-nited Kingdom, no the Ute-nited States. Ute-opia!

And the makers of utes are always trying to win us over with improvements and changes so we buy theirs and not a rival’s.

And that’s what’s going on here. This is the new and updated Isuzu D-Max ute. And even though we've tested, towed and lived with this generation of the D-Max, that arrived in 2020, we went to this launch to find out what’s new and if it’s improved the D-Max.

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Deep dive comparison

2023 Ford Ranger 2023 Isuzu D-Max

Verdict

The Current Ranger is a hot seller and that’s purely because it’s a top-shelf product. The new Wildtrak X specification, meanwhile, hasn’t altered that and the changes including the suspension, option of on-road all-wheel drive and wider track have made it a more road-oriented vehicle that hasn’t been hobbled in any area as a result.

In fact, the trade-offs are nowhere to be found. The X can tow as well as any Ranger, carry as much payload and accommodate as many people in – roughly – the same level of comfort.

The only raised eyebrow we can see is the price, given the V6 turbo-diesel is not available in this trim level. For many buyers, we reckon the V6 Wildtrak makes a more compelling argument. And even though that vehicle lacks the tricky dampers and dress-up bits, it does get the same on-road all-wheel-drive of the X model. Oh, and it leaves an extra $3600 in your pocket.

Verdict

The D-Max is comfortable and easy to drive on the road and highly capable off the road, with all grades equipped with a high level of advanced safety tech for a ute, all while offering excellent value and a large variety of body styles to suit every need from family duties to the work site.

The D-Max needs to be this good because it’s up against fierce competition from rivals such as the new Ford Ranger, the Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi Triton and new Chinese challengers.

The new features such as the tailgate assist and blind spot deactivation while towing show Isuzu listens to customer feedback and are committed to building better products which has been done here.

All that’s left to improve is that warranty - these vehicles go all over Australia and an unlimited kilometre coverage would complete a fantastic package.

The sweet spot of the range is the LS-U Ute - sure it doesn't have the stealthy looks of the X-Terrain but it has just about all the same features, plus off-road capability for less money.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.

2023 Ford Ranger vs Isuzu D-Max What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

2023 Ford Ranger vs Isuzu D-Max
What's the difference?