What's the difference?
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.
Since the launch of the current generation BT-50 in 2020, Mazda has consolidated its foothold in Australia's highly competitive 4x4 ute market.
Latest industry sales figures show the Isuzu-based ute is locked in a close battle with Mitsubishi’s venerable Triton for fourth place in the sales race behind the Isuzu D-Max, Toyota HiLux and market-leading Ford Ranger.
To capitalise on the BT-50’s popularity, Mazda has released a new addition to the local line-up based on the XTR model grade.
It's called the LE, which the company claims offers enhanced looks, greater functionality and added customer value.
We recently spent a week behind the wheel to assess its appeal for tradies and families alike.
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.
The XTR LE adds polish to the BT-50 line-up, in more ways than just its silver metallic paint and highly buffed accessories. It also has exceptional fuel economy and is equally competent as a suburban daily driver, tradie’s workhorse and weekend escape machine, with robust load-carrying and towing ability. For those wanting an upmarket version of the popular XTR, the LE has plenty of appeal.