Isuzu Reviews

With the help of engineering firm Walkinshaw, the Isuzu D-Max Blade gatecrashes the Australian-developed, off-road dual-cab ute shindig, as defined by the Ford Ranger Raptor and Nissan Navara Warrior. Aimed at the latter rather than the former, it may miss out on extra grunt, but gains improved on- and off-road capabilities, thanks to extensive engineering upgrades. Is it the best D-Max ever?

Don't want a HiLux or a Ranger? Is the facelifted 2025 Isuzu D-Max or the new-generation 2025 Mitsubishi Triton your next best option?

Which is best for 4WDing, a wagon or ute? We've put two of Isuzu's well-equipped, well-regarded top-shelf 4WDs - the MU-X in LS-T spec and the D-Max X-Terrain - against each other to find out. The D-Max has been given a mid-life facelift and useful multimedia upgrades, while the MU-X has received a more modest model-year update. So which 3.0-litre 4WD is best suited to you?

The Isuzu D-Max is the only diesel ute that's been able to stay within touching distance of the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger, and the brand hopes this updated model will close the gap even further.But have they done enough to keep the D-Max fresh? We put it to the test to find out.

The LS-M is the entry point to the 2024 MU-X range, sitting below the LS-M and LS-T models, and it’s now available with a smaller 1.9-litre turbodiesel engine, which lowers both your fuel use and towing capability.

The LS-U is the middle child in the MU-X family, sitting between the entry-level LS-M and the top-spec LS-T. It’s also, for the every first time, available with the option of a smaller and more efficient 1.9-litre turbo-diesel engine, joining the carryover 3.0-litre turbo-diesel option.The LS-U can be had with a 3.0-litre engine and 2WD for $55,400, before on-road costs, or $61,400 for 4WD. The 1.9-litre option is 4WD-only, and is yours for $59,900.The smaller engine option delivers 110kW and 350Nm, which don’t sound like massive numbers, but Isuzu makes the point that the maximum torque band is wide, with peak grunt available from 1800rpm to 2600rpm, and 300Nm available from 1550rpm to 3700rpm, meaning there’s power there when you need it. The 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine produces 140kW and 450Nm, both paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and delivering power to two or all four wheels.Another perk of the smaller engine is a smaller fuel bill, with the 1.9-litre turbo-diesel promising to drink 7.4L/100km on the combined cycle - almost a litre less than the 3.0-litre 4x4 model, which is more like 8.3L/100km. Emissions drop, too, with the smaller engine rated at 196g/km of C02 combined, compared with 220g/km on for the 3.0-litre 4x4 model.Regardless of engine, the LS-U arrives with 18-inch alloys, roof rails, a leather steering wheel, a bigger 9.0-inch central screen, dual-zone climate control and a powered tailgate.

The LS-T is the flagship the 2024 MU-X range, offered exclusively with the biggest 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine and a choice of two-wheel drive ($63,400) or four-wheel drive ($67,990 drive-away).

The 2024 Isuzu MU-X is here and it looks... well, a lot like the outgoing model. But new for this model year is the option of a smaller diesel engine, which the brand says will save you fuel without costing much in the way of capability. We put the 2024 MU-X to the test to find out.

Towing a caravan is our final long-term test exercise for the 1.9-litre 4x2 version of the Isuzu D-Max, and it's performance, not to mention fuel-economy, raises questions about the worth of the 3.0L version.

Some surprises this month as the D-Max's 1.9-litre turbo diesel four punches above its weight in terms of load-lugging and composure under pressure, not to mention fuel economy.