Isuzu D Max X-Terrain 4WD Ute 2023 Review

15/03/2023 admin Motoring Minute Episodes 0

D-MAX X-Terrain – I recently spent a couple of weeks in the latest Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain 4WD Ute and as usual I loved it. The D-Max has long been a favourite of mine but what makes it so.

First up is its rugged, robust reliability. These Utes simply keep going and going. The 3.0L turbo diesel engine is under stressed and over engineered. I have a friend with one that has over 250,000km on it now with no problems.

Second is the abundant safety features, Isuzu has for a while now lead the Ute market in safety, the others are just now catching up.

Third is the interior comfort. It’s not the plushest Ute on the market but the interior is a comfortable place to sit for hours driving along.

Fourth is the 4WD capability. Here is a Ute that will go anywhere a sane person would want to go with ease.

Lastly the towing capability, Most Utes will tow 3500kg, but the Isuzu does it with such ease and economy that you need to check sometimes that you are still towing.

Yes, the Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain is a favourite Ute of mine and is priced from $67.500 plus the usual costs.

This is a Motoring Minute

I’m Rob Fraser

***TO LISTEN TO THE D-MAX X TERRAIN* *RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW***

Motoring Minute Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain Video

Some other X-Terrain thoughts

The D-Max X-Terrain looks good with the rear sports bar and roller top.
Roller tops keep things more secure and weather/dust proof in the tub.
However, they have some issues as well.
If its manual operation, If you need to open it you need to open it all the way up to close it again. Not so great if its dumping rain as I found out
Also, they waste a lot of load area in the tub.
Reaching front tie down points is difficult, if they are there at all (the HiLux Rogue doesn’t even have them.
Heated front seats are good, but they are two stage and mild on really cold mornings
I am not a fan of the windscreen washer system. Having water dribble out of the wipers seems counter intuitive, but others are heading this way and none of them seem to work well.
It appears some designer thought up a clever design without actually testing if it works better.
The combination of low torque delivery, matching of the engine and transmission and driveability makes the X-Terrain one of my favourite tow vehicles.
Sitting in the D-Max and hearing the low diesel rumble is comforting. Its just enjoyable.

Isuzu D-MAX X-Terrain final thoughts

There are reasons Isuzu Ute sells so many D-Max Utes. They aren’t the flashiest, aren’t the trendy Utes, don’t have a 30 plus year history, aren’t the most powerful. But they are reliable, robust and give owners a sense of peace that they will be with their D-Max for a long time.

In Thailand where most Utes are made, it’s a race between the D-Max and HiLux for number one spot.

What is good?

4WD and towing ability
Ride and handling
Class leading safety features

What is not so good?

Not a fan of the roller top
MFD changes a little messy to use.
Would love 150kW/500Nm

Some more Isuzu D-Max X Terrain articles

Also look at:

Dual Cab 4WD Utes are popular. There are a few on the market and everyone is aiming upmarket.

Buyers could look at Ford Ranger Sport, Toyota HiLux Rogue, Nissan Navara PRO 4X Warrior, Mazda BT-50 Thunder. SsangYong Musso Ultimate, Mitsubishi Triton GSR.

Motoring Minute is heard around Australia every day on over 50 radio channels through the Torque Radio network.

Our Motoring Minute has an average daily audience of over 550,000 listeners and they are also syndicated through various news sites around Australia.

Additionally Motoring Minute is also broadcast as part of Overdrive Radio Program, which is broadcast through the Community Radio Network across Australia

Isuzu D Max X-Terrain 4WD Ute 2023 Review

***TO LISTEN TO THE D-MAX X TERRAIN* *RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW***