Why the Isuzu D-MAX is a jack of all trades

The ute has become the go-to vehicle for work and play, and Isuzu’s D-MAX is attracting a lot of interest for its proven reliability, extensive features and good value.

And there is an Isuzu D-MAX ute for all occasions, from the luxury Crew Cab family hauler at the top of the range, right down to a humble Single Cab workhorse, at entry level.

The D-MAX series spans 24 models , from the 10 high-riding 4x2 models to the 14 available in the 4x4 range. This is a multi-purpose vehicle that is built to handle the working week, tool-of-trade shifts as well as doubling its duties with the school drop-offs and as a family get-about. The D-MAX is also just as accomplished when carrying up to about a tonne of payload or up to 3.5 tonnes of trailer behind it.

It’s important to remember that the company behind this ute is Isuzu UTE. Or, in other words, it’s a manufacturer whose primary focus is building the best possible ute. Obviously, the closely related Isuzu MU-X SUV is also on the Isuzu menu, but there are no other distractions from this, Isuzu’s core business.

The Isuzu D-MAX lays claim to impressive safety and technology for the ute category, while a spacious interior, willing performance, and decent payload capacity are further strengths.

The D-MAX is not only available in 4x2 or 4x4 models, but there are also cab-chassis models that allow you to customise with a variety of trays or service bodies.

Single Cab or Space Cab models come only as a cab-chassis, but you can also select a Crew Cab model with the pick-up tub, or without, so you can then fit a service body straight away, without having to worry about the extra cost and waste of getting the pick-up tub removed and disposed of.

Single Cab models only have space for two occupants, but the pay-off is a 2550mm-long tray, while the Space Cabs offer additional seating in the back with two fold-down seats paired with a 2100mm-long tray. You get into the back with a rear-hinged back door. Dual-cab models have larger, more conventional rear doors and can seat five, but have a shorter 1800mm tray.

At the premium end of the D-MAX family is the $67,500 (plus on-road costs) X-TERRAIN, which is only available as a Crew Cab 4x4. It gives you all the practical attributes of a five-seat dual-cab ute overlaid with plenty of equipment, like the aluminium roller tonneau cover to keep your gear out of the elements and secure from prying eyes.

Inside, there’s leather-accented upholstery with red stitching, which really stands out and gives the X-TERRAIN a sporty feel. The driver’s seat has eight-way power adjustment, while the front seats are both heated, which helps take the chill out of your bones on a cold morning start. Even better is the X-TERRAIN’s remote start function, which allows you to start the engine while still in your home, for example, and get the cabin at just the perfect temperature ready for when you hop in.

The Isuzu D-MAX LS-U+ Crew Cab 4x4 is a premium model in the D-MAX range that is more affordable, without missing out on key X-TERRAIN features. Starting from $63,500 (plus on-road costs), the LS-U+ also has leather-accented seats, albeit with grey stitching, with heating up front and eight-way electric adjustment on the driver’s seat.

The LS-U, available as a Crew Cab cab-chassis or pick-up in either the 4x2 or 4x4 ranges, costs from $53,000 to $59,000 (plus on-road costs).

The LS-U has most features that most people want. It has stylish 18-inch alloy wheels as well as a 9.0-inch infotainment system with embedded satellite navigation just like the upper-spec models. There is also the convenience of keyless entry, push-button start and walk-away door locking. You even get a tow bar receiver on LS-U and up, making it easier for when you need to tow, as well as tyre pressure monitoring.

Then there is the Isuzu D-MAX LS-M Crew Cab, from $53,300 (plus on-road costs), that offers unique 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in all-terrain rubber, high-grade cloth upholstery, LED headlights with auto-levelling, LED daytime running lamps and fog lights, and – on pick-up models – the convenience of rear parking sensors.

The Isuzu D-MAX SX is the most affordable model of the D-MAX range, starting out at $32,200 (plus on-road costs) for the 4x2 Single Cab Chassis. The SX is the most versatile worker of the D-MAX range, with something to suit everyone: Single Cab, Space Cab, Crew Cab, cab-chassis or ute body, with the entry-level 110kW/350Nm 1.9-litre or 140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engines and six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Then there’s either 4x2 or 4x4 drivetrains.

Even at this base trim level you get a colour 7.0-inch touchscreen, one 12V auxiliary and two USB input sockets and, like all D-MAX models, wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto and DAB+ digital radio.

The main difference between the high-riding 4x2 and 4x4 models is the 4x4’s off-road ability. Although both have a rugged ladder-frame chassis with nine cross members, the 4x4 models have steel underbody plates to protect components underneath, plus shift-on-demand 4x4, dual-range transfer case, and a rear differential lock.

The Isuzu D-MAX is an economical ute, with average fuel consumption quoted at as low as 7.0L/100km for 1.9-litre single-cab 4x2 models up to the premium X-TERRAIN auto’s 8.0L/100km. All D-MAX models have a 76-litre fuel tank, giving plenty of fuel range.

Safety features are important no matter what you drive, and here Isuzu UTE gives every D-MAX customer the same features. That is, each D-MAX has Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. The D-MAX even lets you know the posted speed limit, displaying it in the central Multi Information Display (MID). All automatic models have Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop and Go functionality, a fantastic feature that takes the stress out of commuting on a busy freeway.

There are nine colours available across the D-MAX range. Basalt Black Mica, Mercury Silver Metallic, Mineral White, Neptune Blue and Obsidian Grey are available for all models, while LS-U and X-TERRAIN models feature the additional hues of Moonstone White Pearl, Magnetic Red Mica or the signature Volcanic Amber Metallic. The Granite Grey Mica scheme is an X-TERRAIN-only colour.

There are more than 100 genuine accessories to choose from when buying a D-MAX; with everything from bull bars to alloy trays to floor mates, you’ll find just about anything you could want to accessories your D-MAX.

The added benefit behind buying any D-MAX is the confidence-inspiring six-year/150,000km factory warranty, which also comes with up to seven years of roadside assistance and seven years of capped-price servicing.

Historically, commercial utes have not been regarded as the epitome of automotive sophistication. Today, however, the Isuzu D-MAX exemplifies just how accomplished a modern ute can be. Striking a well-regarded balance between functionality, tech, and safety, a D-MAX ute can be many things to many people, and all for a competitive price that underlines just how remarkable this multi-talented vehicle truly is.

To check out the D-MAX range for yourself, head to Isuzu UTE Australia.