Isuzu D-Max 2023 review

There are five grades in the D-Max range and 27 different variants. Plus, three new entry-grade variants have been added. 

And even though the range has been updated with new features, the prices have stayed the same.

The five grades in the D-Max line-up are: the entry grade SX, then the LS-M, the LS-U, the LS-U+ and at the top of the range is the X-Terrain.

The D-Max body styles are: Single Cab Chassis, Space Cab Chassis, Crew Cab Chassis and Ute which comes in Crew Cab in all grades, and also Space Cab in the LS-U grade.

The multitude of variations is mind boggling and so is the pricing. 

The LS-U Crew Cab 4x2 with the 3.0-litre diesel engine comes in at $53,000.

Ute prices are straight forward: the X-Terrain is the most expensive and lists for $67,500. At the time of writing Isuzu was offering a $64,990 drive-away deal, which is outstanding value.

Next down the list is the LS-U+ Crew Cab ute which lists for $63,500, then LS-U is $61,000 for the automatic transmission ($2000 less for the manual gearbox) and the LS-U Space Cab is $58,000.

Stepping down further the LS-M Crew Cab with the auto lists for $55,300 ($2000 less for the manual) and then there’s the SX Crew Cab which is $52,200.

All of the above have the 3.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, well almost - for this update Isuzu has created a new entry point into the ute line-up with an SX Crew Cab powered by the 1.9-litre engine with a list price of $52,200.

Inside the X-Terrain grade is a 9.0-inch media system with Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay.

Don’t want the big tub, fancy features or even four-wheel drive? The 4x2 Cab Chassis version of the D-Max is most likely for you and begins with a list price of $32,200 for the manual with the 1.9-litre diesel engine (add $2000 for the auto) and tops out at $53,000 for the LS-U Crew Cab 4x2 with the 3.0-litre diesel engine.

In this update Isuzu has added the SX Crew Cab Chassis 4x2 for $40,700, too.

Want the Cab Chassis but with four-wheel drive? There are eight variants, with the range starting at a list price of $42,200 for the SX Single Cab Chassis 4x4 with the manual, and topping out at $59,500 for the LS-U Crew Cab Chassis 4x4 with the automatic transmission. The entire 4x4 Cab Chassis line-up is powered exclusively by the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel.

As we said before, the prices have stayed the same, even though this update has added new features. So, let’s talk features.

The LS-U grade features 18-inch alloy wheels.

The SX grade comes standard with 17-inch steel wheels, automatic halogen headlights, vinyl flooring, cloth upholstery, air conditioning, a 7.0-inch media display with digital radio, Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay, plus a four-speaker stereo.

Stepping up to the LS-M adds 17-inch alloy wheels (new for this update), LED headlights with LED daytime running lights, LED fog lights and rear parking sensors (only on the Ute).

The LS-U brings 18-inch alloys (new for the update), sidesteps, a tubliner (Ute only), tow bar receiver, proximity key with 'walk-away locking' function, carpet floors, a 9.0-inch media system, sat nav and an eight-speaker stereo (six speakers in the Space Cab).

The LS-U+ adds leather seats with black stitching (new for this update), heated front seats and a power adjustable driver’s seat.

At the top of the range is the X-Terrain, which only comes in the Crew Cab Ute variant, and apart from the snazzy body kit which I’ll cover in the Design section also adds 18-inch alloys wheels (new for the update), matt back roller tonneau cover, aero sports bar, remote engine start and front parking sensors.

The X-Terrain is the hero of the D-Max range and this update brings the dark grey metallic treatment to the side steps, mirrors, door and tailgate handles, roof rails, sports bar and fender flares. 

The LS-U has chrome door handles and tailgate handle, and new chrome, heated door mirrors.

All grades have been given an updated grille design. In the case of the X-Terrain it’s two-tone dark grey, while the LS-U+ and LS-U have a two-tone grey and chrome grille, the LS-M has a two-tone black and grey, and the SX has two-tone black.

I think there are better looking utes out there, the new Ford Ranger is stunning. I feel the the front-end treatment of the D-Max could be more aggressive and bolder to match the tough jobs that’ll come its way.

All D-Max grades have been given an updated grille design.

How big is a D-Max? They’re all pretty close in size: about 5.3m end-to-end and just under 1.9m wide not counting the wing mirrors. The tallest D-Max is the X-Terrain which stands 1.88m high up to its roof rails. 

The D-Max is available in Single Cab Chassis, Space Cab Chassis and Crew Chassis and Crew Cab Ute and Space Cab Ute body styles. 

I should point out that only the LS-U grade of the Ute offers a Space Cab and also that all X-Terrains are Crew Cabs.

Not surprisingly, the X-Terrain’s interior has a more upmarket feel than the lower grades with its red and black interior accents, red stitched leather seats and leather steering wheel.

I’m a fan of those seats with their Batman-suit-style six pack design. 

The tallest D-Max is the X-Terrain which stands 1.88m high and 5.3m long.

The practicality depends on which D-Max you pick and how you plan to use it. A Single Cab Chassis isn’t going to suit a family as well as a Crew Cab Ute with its two rows and five seats. 

At the launch of this updated D-Max I spent hours and hundreds of kilometres in the top-of-the-range X-Terrain, so I can tell you that even for me at 191cm tall and almost 100kg those front seats are wide, comfortable and supportive. 

The X-Terrain is a crew cab and its second row offers good legroom for me to sit behind my driving position and plenty of headroom, too.

Cabin storage in the X-Terrain is good with decent-sized door pockets and all Crew Cab versions of the Ute have cupholders in the front and second rows. They also all have directional air vents for the second row along with a USB port back there for charging devices.

The X-Terrains front seats are wide, comfortable and supportive.

New for the Ute range in this update is a tailgate which is easier to lower and raise thanks to a gas strut. The previous model’s tailgate was overly heavy and the strut makes opening and shutting the tailgate so easy I can use one finger. But which finger? You’ll have to check out my video, to see.

The lockable tonneau cover that only comes standard on the X-Terrain is essential if you want to keep luggage, tools or any other items, not just safe and secure, but protected from the sun and rain.

The good news is Isuzu offers tonneau covers and canopies in its genuine parts accessories catalogue for whichever grade of Ute you choose.  

Wish there was a seven-seater version of the D-Max? Then prepare to have your mind blown. The Isuzu MU-X is a seven-seat SUV version of the D-Max and I’ve reviewed that, too. You’re welcome.   

The X-Terrain is a crew cab and its second row offers good legroom and plenty of headroom.

There are two engines on offer in the D-Max range, both are four-cylinder turbo-diesels but of different sizes. 

There’s the 3.0-litre making 140kW and 450Nm (4JJ3-TCX), while the other is a 1.9-litre making 110kW and 350Nm (RZ4E-TC).

A six-speed automatic transmission and a six-speed manual gearbox are offered, too, on both engines but not on all grades.

The four-wheel drive Ute range is powered almost exclusively by the 3.0-litre, with the 1.9-litre engine only available on the entry-grade SX. This is new for the 2023 D-Max update.

There are two engines on offer in the D-Max range, both are four-cylinder turbo-diesels but of different sizes. 

The four-wheel drive Cab Chassis line-up is only available with the 3.0-litre engine, while the two-wheel drive range offers an even spread of both engines.

The smaller capacity diesel does save $2000 off the purchase price but has a lower braked towing capacity of 2800kg with the manual gearbox and 3000kg with the auto transmission.

The 3.0-litre engine increases the braked towing capacity up to 3500kg.

The payload capacity ranges from 925kg for the X-Terrain up to 1405kg for the SX Single Cab Chassis with the 1.9-litre engine.

Isuzu says that after a combination of open and urban roads the D-Max will use from 6.7L/100km to 8.0L/100km. 

The lower fuel consumption figure is the official Isuzu result for the Crew Cab Ute SX with the 1.9-litre engine and automatic transmission, while the higher mileage applies to most variants with the 3.0-litre engine and auto.

Isuzu claims the D-Max will use from 6.7L/100km to 8.0L/100km. 

The updated D-Max was given the maximum five-star ANCAP rating in 2022. All come with AEB with turn assistance, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, traffic sign recognition, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, trailer sway control and eight airbags.

For a ute, this is an outstanding array of advanced safety tech and provides peace-of-mind if you’re thinking about using this vehicle as a family car, too.

In this update Isuzu has added a function where the blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert systems are turned off when you’re towing, because reversing a trailer is hard enough without being beeped at the whole time.

The updated D-Max was given the maximum five-star ANCAP rating in 2022.

The D-Max is covered by Isuzu’s six-year/150,000-kilometre warranty. Six years is good, but 150,000km isn’t, not when Ford and Toyota cover the Ranger and HiLux with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty.

These types of vehicles travel vast distances and should have the reassurance of a warranty which goes as far as they are driven. It’s for this reason that the D-Max scores lower marks.

Services are capped for seven years, but can get quite expensive. Over the seven years the average annual service price is $527 for the 3.0-litre powered D-Max and $480 for the 1.9-litre powered versions.

The D-Max is covered by Isuzu’s six-year/150,000-kilometre warranty.

At the launch of the updated D-Max I drove the top-of-the-range X-Terrain Ute only, but at CarsGuide we have tested many different D-Max variants from tow tests to comparisons since this generation arrived in 2020, so take a look at those reviews for a more specific test. Of course, we’ll get more variants of this updated D-Max into our CarsGuide garage soon.

The X-Terrain is powered exclusively by the 3.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-diesel, and despite the torque output of 450Nm not being able to match the 500Nm now offered in the Ford Ranger or Toyota HiLux I found the D-Max’s engine able to deliver plenty of grunt whenever I needed it on or off the road.

The six-speed automatic transmission doesn’t have the seemingly endless ratios of the Ranger (well, it is a 10-speed) nor did it have to constantly search for a new gear. Instead, the shifts are decisive and intuitive, putting the torque under my right foot from low revs.

Through the city streets and on the motorway the X-Terrain performs faultlessly with good visibility and light steering, which given my ability to get lost and end up in narrow side streets, is helpful for all the three-point turns and alleyway manoeuvring needed to get back on track again. 

The D-Max’s engine is able to deliver plenty of grunt, both on or off the road.

Big, supportive seats and a good driving position mean long drives are going to be a bit more comfortable.

The four-wheel drive version of D-Max is extremely capable off the road with high and low gear modes, as well as a rear diff lock. 

Ground clearance is the same for the four-wheel drive and two-wheel drive: 235mm for the SX and LS-M grades; and 240mm for the LS-U, LS-U+ and X-Terrain.

The 800mm of wading depth applies to all grades and to four- and two-wheel drives.

Wading depth of the D-Max is 800mm.

The approach angle for the crew-cab utes in the X-Terrain, LS-U and LS-U+ grades is 30.5 degrees, while the departure angle is 23.8 degrees

For the SX and LS-M Crew Cab utes the approach angle is 30 degrees, while the departure angle is 23.3 degrees.

The X-Terrain’s ride is comfortable and settled even without a load in the tub, and we’ve commented on this before in our reviews.

The X-Terrain and the rest of the Ute variants use a standard three-leaf suspension in the rear, while the Cab Chassis variants use a heavy duty three-leaf set-up.