The 2024 Isuzu D-Max is available in six trim levels, including a new-for-2024 X-Rider grade.

The entry-level SX gets a vinyl floor, cloth seats, powered windows and mirrors, and air-conditioning with rear vents. Tech is handled by a new 8.0-inch central touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, pairing with four speakers, while an also-new 4.2-inch screen sits in the driver’s binnacle. You also get 17-inch steel wheels, and automatic wipers and halogen headlights.

Stepping up to LS-M trim gets you new and softer rear suspension, a higher-grade cloth interior treatment, bi-LED headlights and DRLs, 17-inch alloy wheels and body-coloured mirrors, door handles and tailgate handle. If you can spring for this trim, it feels like the sweet spot of the lower-range models.

Next there’s the new X-Rider which was once was a special edition but now rejoins as a permanent member of the family. It’s all about upping the street credibility, so there’s black gloss on the grille and a black underbody spoiler, as well as black on the rear step bar, the mirrors, door handles and tailgate handle, the B-Pillars, the sports bar and on the soft tonneau cover. There are also black 17-inch alloy wheels, and dark grey sidesteps.

Next up is the LS-U, which ups the cabin tech with a new 9.0-inch central screen, but with tactile dials for volume — fixing what was apparently a big complaint about the outgoing D-Max – as well as a new 7.0-inch Driver Display. There’s also keyless entry and push-button start, including a new welcome light that illuminates the interior when you approach, dual-zone climate control and a nicer interior treatment. Outside, there’s a tub liner, silver sidesteps, chrome on the handles and mirrors and 18-inch alloys.

The LS-U+ then adds leather seats which are heated in the front, and are eight-way power-adjustable for the driver, and four-way power-adjustable for the front passenger.

Finally, the flagship X-Terrain gets red stitching across its leather interior, remote engine start, a rolling tonneau cover, a unique sport bar, dark grey sidesteps, mirrors, handles and roof rails, and 18-inch matte-grey alloys wheels.

Inside, the brand describes the 2024 Isuzu D-Max cabin as a mix of utility and comfort, and that’s feels pretty accurate from the driver’s seat.

The tech is new, with the 8.0- or 9.0-inch central screen joined by USB connection points, and there’s a new Digital Driver Display screen in the mix, along with new seat materials and trims, too.

But back to that that mix of utility and comfort. I’m not sure Isuzu has gotten the mix exactly right. There are plenty of soft-touch materials in the higher-trim levels, just not always where I want them to be.

I don’t know about you, but I like to have my elbow up when driving, and that plastic is still scratchy and hard, as is the place where my knee touches the centre console.

The 2024 Isuzu D-Max’s powertrains remain unchanged, with the four-cylinder choice of a 1.9-litre turbo-diesel good for 110kW and 350Nm, or a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel producing 140kW and 450Nm. They are paired with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic, and two- or four-wheel drive, depending on the model.

The 2024 Isuzu D-Max dual-cab is the kind of five-seat ute that makes it clear why these vehicles now double as family haulers. There's space aplenty in both rows, even if you want to have three adult-sized humans in the rear.

Isuzu reckons you’ll see around 8.0L/100km on the combined cycle in the 2024 Isuzu D-Max with the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine, with fuel use dropping to 6.9L/100km with the 1.9-litre unit fitted.

The 76-litre tank is the same for both engines, meaning a theoretical range of 950km or 1100km.

There is no official 0-100k/h time for the 2024 Isuzu D-Max, but we'd estimate it to be around 10 seconds.