2013 Isuzu D-Max Reviews

The ute scene has seen some action in 2020, with the launch of an all-new Isuzu D-Max which is now paired to a brand-new Mazda BT-50. Those two fresh young things are up against the stalwart king of the dual cab utes - the Ford Ranger - in this comparison test. It's a very tight contest.

If you want a hard working Isuzu D-Max ute, you need to take a look at the SX grade. It has more variants than any other in the D-Max line-up, and is the most affordable and work-ready, too.

The Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain is a new nameplate. But trust us, it'll be a household name before you know it.

The Isuzu D-Max has always been a pretty solid ute in terms of reputation, reliability and value for money but its firm ride, noisy engine, less-than-ideal off-road traction control and the absence of a diff-lock - even as an option - has diminished its appeal.Isuzu has addressed those issues in the new D-Max - but are those changes enough to boost its appeal in a highly competitive ute market?

The Isuzu D-Max SX trim is the thickest part of the all-new D-Max range, with 13 variations available including a single cab-chassis, space cab ute and space cab-chassis (also known as extra cab), and a number of crew cab ute and crew cab-chassis models (also known as dual cab or double cab).There’s the choice of 4x2 rear-wheel drive or 4x4/4WD/four-wheel drive underpinnings. Of course there’s a choice of six-speed manual and six-speed auto, too. All models are powered by a 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel with 140kW (at 3600rpm) and 450Nm (at 1600-2600rpm). Towing capacity is 750kg unbraked and 3500kg braked for all models. Fuel use is between 7.7L/100km and 8.0L/100km depending on the model.The entry-level SX is now a high-rider 4x2 manual model, with list pricing starting at $32,200 plus on-road costs, but Isuzu Australia has already confirmed drive-away pricing for some models, including the range-opening single-cab-chassis manual ute for $29,990 drive-away. Here’s a rundown on the SX models available: Standard equipment for the SX models comprises a 7.0-inch touchscreen media system with wireless Apple CarPlay and USB connect Android Auto, 17-inch steel wheels, halogen headlights, auto headlights and auto high-beam lights, auto wipers, tilt and reach adjustable steering, vinyl flooring, cloth seat trim, air-conditioning, and rear seat airvents for dual cabs.There is plenty of safety technology as well: while manual models miss out on adaptive cruise control, autos get that tech standard, and all variants have AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane keeping assistance, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, front turn assist, driver attention assist, eight airbags including a ute-first front centre airbag, a reversing camera, and more.The D-Max has scored the maximum five-star ANCAP crash test safety rating - and it's the first commercial vehicle to achieve that accolade under the stricter criteria from the safety watchdog for 2020.

Talk about a busy time in the ute segment. The just updated Toyota HiLux has arrived, but there's an all-new Isuzu D-Max that is out to steal its thunder. Can it do so? We put the new 2021 HiLux SR5+ up against the all-new D-Max LS-U in a four-wheel drive double cab comparison... and you might be surprised by what we found.

The Isuzu D-Max is all-new, but the second model up the range retains a similar position - it’s the LS-M, a work-focused four-wheel drive dual cab version of the new D-Max.The LS-M slots in above the SX grade and is available in double cab ute body style only, and only as a 4x4/4WD. You can have it with the choice of a six-speed manual (RRP/MSRP: $51,000) or a six-speed automatic (RRP/MSRP: $53,000). Note, those are list prices before on-road costs - there could be drive-away deals.As with all D-Max models, it is powered by a 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel with 140kW (at 3600rpm) and 450Nm (at 1600-2600rpm). Towing capacity is 750kg unbraked and 3500kg braked. Fuel use is claimed at 7.7L/100km (manual) and 8.0L/100km (auto).LS-M models build upon the equipment in the SX, with 17-inch alloy wheels, body colour door handles and mirror caps, LED headlights, LED daytime running lights and LED front fog lights. The cabin adopts a six speaker sound system, and rear seat occupants get a USB port. That’s over and above the standard manual air-conditioning, power windows, power mirrors, automatic wipers, a 4.2-inch customisable driver display, a 7.0-inch multimedia screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, cloth interior trim, rubber flooring, tilt and telescoping multi-function steering wheel, and rear seat directional air vents.Plus there’s all the safety gear: manual LS-M variants miss out on adaptive cruise control, but LS-M autos get that tech standard, while all have AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane keeping assistance, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, front turn assist, driver attention assist, eight airbags including a ute-first front centre airbag, a reversing camera, and more.The D-Max has scored the maximum five-star ANCAP crash test safety rating - and it's the first commercial vehicle to achieve that accolade under the stricter criteria from the safety watchdog for 2020.

The Isuzu D-Max has built a reputation for being fuss-free and hard working. But with this all-new D-Max for 2021 and beyond, the Japanese ute brand has changed not only its own pace - it has shifted the ute market to a new place altogether.

Sitting at the top of the all-new D-Max 2021 range is the X-Terrain, a flagship model aimed squarely at the likes of the Ford Ranger Wildtrak.This variant is available in one body, one drivetrain only: it’s a dual cab ute, with 4x4 and an auto ‘box. And it costs $62,900 - well, that’s the MSRP/RRP or list cost, but Isuzu has already stated a promo price of $58,990 drive-away for the X-Terrain at launch, which is essentially a $10k discount.As with all D-Max models, it is powered by a 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel with 140kW (at 3600rpm) and 450Nm (at 1600-2600rpm) - and that could actually be a negative: some punters out there might be wishing for a little extra grunt from their range-topping ute.Towing capacity is 750kg unbraked and 3500kg braked, and Fuel use is claimed at 8.0L/100km.The X-Terrain may appear similar to a Wildtrak at a glance, with a bunch of additional sporty extras fitted to this model, including: dark-grey-coloured aero sports bar, side steps, front grille, door and tailgate handles, and side mirrors, dark grey 18-inch wheels, roller tonneau cover, an under rail tub liner, and front and rear underbody spoilers.Plus the spec list adds keyless entry, push-button start, a leather-accented interior, driver’s electric seat adjustment, and remote engine start over all the LS-U gear, like dual-zone climate control, electronic lumbar adjust for the driver’s seat, carpet flooring, a a 9.0-inch multimedia screen with satellite navigation, and leather steering wheel.And then there’s the comprehensive safety kit: adaptive cruise control, AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane keeping assistance, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, front turn assist, driver attention assist, eight airbags including a ute-first front centre airbag, a reversing camera, and more.The D-Max has scored the maximum five-star ANCAP crash test safety rating - and it's the first commercial vehicle to achieve that accolade under the stricter criteria from the safety watchdog for 2020.

Second from the top in the all-new D-Max 2021 range is the LS-U variant, which is available in a few different body styles and drivetrain options.The Isuzu D-Max LS-U goes most of the way towards offering customers an upmarket offering from the brand, with a number of additions over the LS-M and SX. We’ll get to that in a sec.First, you need to know the LS-U is available as a 4x2 dual cab ute with a six-speed automatic transmission for $48,900 (all prices MSRP/RRP), while you can also choose an extra cab ute - or space cab, in Isuzu speak - 4x4 automatic for $53,900 . Then there’s the LS-U dual cab ute is available in manual ($54,900) or auto ($56,900).As with all D-Max models, it is powered by a 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel with 140kW (at 3600rpm) and 450Nm (at 1600-2600rpm). Towing capacity is 750kg unbraked and 3500kg braked. Fuel use is claimed at 7.7L/100km (manual) and 8.0L/100km (auto).Over the LS-M, there’s a decent jump in spec, with LS-U models scoring: 18-inch alloys, a chrome grille, chrome mirror caps and door handles, blacked-out B-pillars, dual-zone climate control, electronic lumbar adjust for the driver’s seat, carpet flooring, a 9.0-inch multimedia screen with satellite navigation, and leather steering wheel. The LS-U dual cab gets an eight-speaker stereo, while the two-seat Space Cab has six speakers.That’s further to what you get in grades below: wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, cloth interior trim, and a tilt and telescoping multi-function steering wheel. Plus there’s all the safety gear: manual variants miss out on adaptive cruise control, but autos get that tech standard, while all have AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane keeping assistance, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, front turn assist, driver attention assist, eight airbags including a ute-first front centre airbag, a reversing camera, and more.The D-Max has scored the maximum five-star ANCAP crash test safety rating - and it's the first commercial vehicle to achieve that accolade under the stricter criteria from the safety watchdog for 2020.