Six ways the Isuzu D-MAX is built to tame the Aussie bush

The Isuzu D-MAX ute offers a very broad skill set from around town practicality, heavy-duty towing, load carrying and, last but not least, the built-in ability to go off-road. It’s an integral part of the D-MAX 4x4, this vehicle was designed and built from the ground up with the capability to traverse the harshest of off-road conditions.

Here are the six ways that the Isuzu D-MAX is built to tame the bush.

Isuzu UTE is a company that specialises in diesels – it’s part of its core business, so the D-MAX’s 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine was designed and built in-house by Isuzu to be durable, reliable, economical and produce plenty of torque. Isuzu’s turbo-diesel engine is engineered to be tough and powerful, with the know-how only a truck manufacturer like Isuzu would have.

With 140kW of power, the D-MAX engine has enough get-up-and-go to pull you through the softest, powdery sand. Its healthy 450Nm of down-low torque from just 1600rpm means that the D-MAX’s engine has all it takes to keep up momentum as you traverse your way through even the steepest and most slippery off-road climb.

This engine is efficient too, saving you money at expensive outback fuel stations and giving you better fuel range when it really counts. Isuzu has decades of experience in commercial transport, where every litre of fuel saved counts.

Isuzu’s efficient turbo-diesel engine averages 8.0L/100km when teamed to the six-speed automatic transmission and could travel up to 950km on a tank of fuel. Of course, you’ll use a bit more fuel than that in slow difficult terrain like mud or sand, but you’ll still have plenty in reserve.

The D-MAX has a simple and robust part-time Terrain Command 4WD system that can be engaged with a flick of a switch even when you’re driving up to 100km/h. This part-time 4WD system is not only simple, but it is also the most efficient four wheel-drive system because when you’re driving on sealed roads, you can rely on the more fuel-efficient 2WD driving mode to keep you motoring along. You only need to slip into 4WD when the road turns to sand, gravel, mud or slippery terrain for the assurance of four-wheel traction.

There are two 4WD transfer box settings of course, like any proper 4WD. You’ve got 4WD high range, for conditions where you’re able to easily travel at more than 40km/h, such as dirt roads, and then low range, for when you are driving on steep, technical or otherwise tricky bush tracks, soft sand, or snow. The Isuzu D-MAX really does have the right 4WD mode for all occasions.

When you’re in slippery off-road conditions, you need all the traction assist features you can get. The Isuzu D-MAX offers electronic four-wheel traction control, in high-range, that automatically uses the brake on an individual wheel to stop it slipping more than others, ensuring you can keep up momentum in most situations off-road.

Then there’s the selectable rear diff lock, standard in all 4x4 models. When the rear diff lock is selected via the dash button, it mechanically locks the rear wheels so that they can only rotate at the same rate, for unrivalled traction and torque transfer to the terrain.

There’s also bonus systems standard in every D-MAX 4x4 to help you maintain traction when off-road. Firstly, Hill Start Assist, which prevents vehicle roll-back when starting off on gradients of more than 5.7 degrees.

For additional peace of mind when descending steep tracks, not only is there low-range gearing, but also Hill Descent Control (HDC) which modulates brake force to maintain a slow descent without locking individual wheels, the nemesis of traction (or steering) in slippery steep terrain. This ensures an ideal balance of avoiding excessive momentum while maintaining all-important traction and the ability to steer down a slippery, steep slope.

There’s nothing worse than having long overhangs, not enough ground clearance or wheel travel for off-roading. Here, the Isuzu D-MAX is good to go, with relatively short overhangs for a ute and decent ramp-over angle and wheel travel too. Not only that, the D-MAX provides a generous underbody ground clearance of up to 240mm.

The 30.5-degree approach angle means you are not likely to scrape anything with the front of the D-MAX, the 23.8-degree ramp-over angle means you can climb over moguls with confidence and the 19-degree departure angle allows you to clear most obstacles without worrying about bumping the rear as you leave them.

Even the most careful four wheel-driver will bump the undercarriage of a 4WD off-road from time to time, it goes with the territory. But saving the day is not only the D-MAX’s solid ladder frame chassis with eight cross members, but also the steel underbody protection it offers as standard.

For starters there’s an extensive under-engine steel guard and a large steel transfer case guard to keep components out of harm’s way, plus an aluminium guard protecting the fuel tank. The fuel tank also has reinforced resin underneath to protect it from ground strikes.

Any good 4WD trainer will say you should always walk any water crossing to check for depth and the strength of the current before driving it. Beyond that, you still want to have the confidence to be able to cross water without having concerns about water entering vital engine or other components.

The D-MAX has one of the best water-fording measurements in its class, with a maximum 800mm water-fording height. Of course, there is the Isuzu genuine accessory snorkel for that extra peace of mind if you are planning lots of off-roading and water crossings.

To find out more about the tough features and technology behind the Isuzu D-Max, visit the Isuzu website.