Isuzu D-MAX – What you need to know

From pure workhorse to family wagon and toy hauler, it’s little wonder why utes (or pickups) are so popular here in Australia. And it’s easy to pick an Isuzu D-MAX to suit your needs, with 4x2 and 4x4 offerings across several body styles and six trim levels. All 26 individual variants on offer are diesel powered, with either a manual or automatic transmission.

Let’s start with the 4x2 high-ride range and the entry-level SX. It’s offered as a two-door single and space cab-chassis, a four-door crew cab cab-chassis and a crew cab ute, while the higher-spec LS-U only comes as a crew cab ute.

But the popularity lies firmly with the 4x4 range. Again, the SX is the base model in either single, space or crew cab bodies. Crew cabs are also offered in multiple grades, spanning LS-M, X-Rider, LS-U, LS-U+, the high-end X-Terrain and flagship Blade off-road hero.

With no shortage of choice, we’ll show you which model has what features so you can pick the best one for you, so let’s jump in.

The $32,700 4x2 SX single cab-chassis with a 1.9-litre turbo-diesel and six-speed manual has the following features:

Seven colours are available with a mica and metallic finish attracting an additional cost of $695.

All D-MAX models have eight airbags, anti-lock brakes with autonomous emergency braking, stability and traction control, hill start assist, hill descent control, turn assist with autonomous emergency braking (AEB), post collision braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control with a speed limiter and stop and go, traffic sign recognition, lane departure warning and prevention, emergency lane keeping, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, driver attention warning, rear cross-traffic alert with braking, auto high-beam headlights and wipers, and a reversing camera. Only the crew cabs offer child seat tethers and ISOFIX anchor points.

Stepping up to the 4x2 SX crew cab or the 4x4 LS-U space cab gains a digital reversing camera with guidelines, auto dimming mirror and rear parking sensors, with front parking sensors only on the X-Terrain.

Tyre pressure monitoring is a standard feature of the LS-U and above in both 4x2 and 4x4 variants.

SX, LS-M and X-Rider models come with an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but if satellite navigation is a must, displayed on a larger 9.0-inch screen, then you’ll have to stump up for an LS-U model or higher in either 4x2 or 4x4.

All SX models make do with a four-speaker audio system; LS-U, LS-M and X-Rider models have six-speakers, while LS-U, LS-U+ and X-Terrain models cop a premium eight-speaker surround-sound system.

USB-A and C ports are standard across the range with rear charging ports available in space and crew cabs.

All SX, LS-M and X-Rider models have a 4.2-inch multi-information display with electro luminescent gauges, while the LS-U, LS-U+, X-Terrain and Blade adopt a larger 7.0-inch display.

All 2024 Isuzu D-MAX utes have power windows, central locking with keyless entry, pollen and particle air filters, powered door mirrors, tilt/telescopic steering wheel adjustment, remote key relock, a power outlet in the dash, cup and bottle holders, a centre console, sunglasses case and overhead map lights. There’s also handy tool storage behind the front seats in single cabs or rear seats in space and crew cabs.

If a cab-chassis isn’t your go, the 4x2 SX and LS-U and 4x4 space and crew cab utes get a double-wall tub with four tiedown hooks. The LS-U also has a tub liner and tailgate assist featuring gas stays to slowly lower the tailgate hands free.

Cloth covers the seats in all models except the LS-U+, which has leather accented seats, X-Terrain and Blade. But you only need to go to the LS-U to get a multi-function leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Would you like a powered driver’s seat?

Then bypass all the models except for the LS-U+, X-Terrain and Blade, with their eight-way adjustment. Other models get by with six-way manual adjustment, though powered lumbar support for the driver’s seat and heated front seats come in with the LS-U model in 4x2 and 4x4.

Is air-conditioning a ‘must have’?

All Isuzu D-MAX models have it with the LS-U and above gaining a dual-zone system. All space and crew cabs benefit from vents in the rear.

How about selectable drive modes?

All 4x4 models have a ‘terrain command’ selector dial that allows the driver to quickly and easily switch between 2WD-high, 4WD-high and 4WD-low. There’s also a ‘Rough Terrain’ mode button and a button-actuated rear diff lock.

If your D-MAX is purely a workhorse go for the SX and its easy-to-clean vinyl floors, but if you’re going to cart the family around tick at least the 4x2 or 4x4 LS-U box, for the added luxury of carpet under your feet.

All models have a body-colour rear step bumper and SX models have a black grille, while
LS-M variants sport a black-grey grille. LS models, kicking off with the 4x2 LS-U, all come standard with powered door mirrors with indicators; silky-silver grille; chrome door and tailgate handles; chrome, heated, and fold-in door mirrors with turn indicators; auto-levelling Bi-LED headlights; LED rear combination daytime running lights and fog lights; aluminium side steps; and a factory-fitted towbar receiver.

Exclusive to the X-Terrain are dark grey door and tailgate handles; dark grey guard flares; underbody spoilers; dark grey fold-in door mirrors and roof rails; dark grey aero sports bar; 18-inch alloy wheels; and a matte-black roller tonneau cover.

Sitting above the X-Terrain on price and off-road intent is the Walkinshaw-produced Blade which comes with an identical kit list to the LS-U+ but ups the ante with Monroe 35mm MTV twin-tube dampers, a lift kit, heavy-duty bash plate, unique 17-inch wheels and all-terrain tyres, an exclusive front apron and integrated light bar.

While the SX models run 16-inch silver steel wheels, the LS-M, X-Rider and Blade get 17-inch alloys with the LS-U, LS-U+ and X-Terrain rolling on 18-inch alloys.

Bashing around in the bush or on work sites isn’t good for the underside so Isuzu has fitted a steel front skid plate to every model except the entry 4x2 SX cab-chassis. All 4x4s variants get a steel guard to protect the sump, transfer case, and the leading edge of the fuel tank, which also gets a reinforced resin sheet underneath it.

Two turbo-diesel engines are offered across the Isuzu D-MAX range: a 1.9-litre four-cylinder making 110kW and 350Nm and a 3.0-litre four-cylinder putting out 140kW and 450Nm.

With either engine, it’s only the 4x2 SX single cab-chassis that is available with a six-speed manual gearbox – all other models are equipped with a six-speed automatic with sequential ‘Sport’ mode as standard.

As previously mentioned, 4x4s have Terrain Command, which permits on-the-fly shifts from 2WD-high to 4WD-high at speeds up to 100km/h.

Before you buy, better make sure the Isuzu D-MAX fits in your garage. Depending on the model, the D-MAX’s length varies from 5280mm to 5340mm. The width maxes out at 1870mm including the door mirrors and the height ranges from 1785mm to 1810mm.

The wheelbase is 3125mm, with ground clearance ranging from 235mm to 244mm.

Gross vehicle mass ranges from 3000kg to 3100kg, depending on the model, while kerb weight similarly spans a 1600kg to 2170kg range.

The payload starts at 930kg and tops out at 1380kg, and the maximum braked towing capacity is 3500kg.

If I just needed a workhorse, the SX 4x2 high-ride crew cab cab-chassis is my pick. It has the benefit of decent passenger-carrying capacity while its load-carrying capability and all-round versatility means it ticks most if not all the boxes, as well as representing excellent value.

However, if I was going to use the D-MAX for multiple purposes – as a workhorse, family hauler, off-road or towing boats, caravans and trailers – I’d slap my hard-earned on the 4x4 LS-U crew cab. It neatly blends creature comforts with convenient features, is practical and drives well both around town and on the open road.

How much does the 2025 Isuzu D-MAX cost?
4x2 1.9lt SX single cab-chassis manual – $32,700
4x2 1.9lt SX single cab-chassis auto – $34,700
4x2 3.0lt SX single cab-chassis manual – $34,700
4x2 3.0lt SX single cab-chassis auto – $36,700
4x2 3.0lt SX space cab-chassis auto – $40,200
4x2 1.9lt SX crew cab-chassis auto – $41,200
4x2 3.0lt SX crew cab-chassis auto – $43,200
4x2 1.9lt SX crew cab ute auto – $42,700
4x2 3.0lt SX crew cab ute auto – $44,700
4x2 3.0lt LS-U crew cab ute auto – $54,500
4x4 3.0lt SX single cab-chassis manual – $42,700
4x4 3.0lt SX single cab-chassis auto – $44,700
4x4 3.0lt SX space cab ute auto – $48,200
4x4 3.0lt SX crew cab-chassis manual – $49,200
4x4 3.0lt SX crew cab-chassis auto – $51,200
4x4 1.9lt SX crew cab ute auto – $50,700
4x4 3.0lt SX crew cab ute auto – $52,700
4x4 3.0lt LS-M crew cab chassis auto – $54,300
4x4 3.0lt LS-M crew cab ute auto – $55,800
4x4 3.0lt X-Ride crew cab ute auto – $59,500
4x4 3.0lt LS-U crew cab chassis auto – $61,000
4x4 3.0lt LS-U crew cab ute auto – $62,500
4x4 3.0lt LS-U+ crew cab ute auto – $65,500
4x4 3.0lt X-Terrain crew cab ute auto – $70,500
4x4 3.0lt Blade crew cab auto – $76,990 (drive-away)
* Prices exclude on-road costs unless otherwise stated

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