2021 Isuzu D-Max Reviews

Are you planning on buying a ute for your family? Maybe you’ve got double use for it, like you need it for work to transport things around and you’re wondering how good of a family car it can make. We’ve got two utes here, the Mazda BT-50 and the Isuzu D-Max, and I’m going to talk you through which is the best buy for a family.I've already tested both of these utes separately, and we’ve put them together here to give you a really good idea of how they compare, and what they're like to live with.The Mazda is the middle of the range BT-50 XTR which costs around 57 grand, before on-road costs. This Isuzu is the top of the range X-Terrain and costs just under $60 grand drive-away. So, similar pricing, but what do you get for your moolah? Let’s get into it. 

In the last month or so of its stint as part of the CarsGuide test fleet, the Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain, the top spec variant in the range, has further proven itself on and off the road.It's had a busy final few weeks with us, and has impressed with its comfort and refinement, and also its capability as a 4WD.So it is with much reluctance we return the X-Terrain to Isuzu HQ.

The 2021 Isuzu D-Max is well known as a tough working ute for tradies, but this week I drove it as a family vehicle around the inner suburbs of Sydney. With lots of space inside and in the back (tray), feather light steering and loads of on-board safety features there is a lot to like.

Isuzu has upped its ute game with the new-generation D-Max - and it's not just its flagship variants that have seemingly won the re-engineering lottery; the entire range has benefitted in terms of driver-assist tech/safety and all-round ride comfort and, more importantly, capability. And space cab cab-chassis utes, such as the D-Max SX, can actually offer a bit of flexibility as a tourer.

Isuzu has invested more than four million kilometres and six years of development in creating the all-new third-generation of its D-MAX ute. And feedback from the Australian market had significant influence in its design, given that Australia is the D-MAX's largest global export market behind Thailand.

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.