Isuzu D-Max 2023 review: X-Terrain

The new Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain is a bear of a unit to look at but it handles like a much smaller car. For families with young kids, it combines one of the best rear seats I've seen in a ute, plus all the things you want and expect from a workhorse.

After driving this for a week with my family of three and clocking  just over 900 kilometres, I see why the ongoing popularity of the D-Max is well deserved.

This might just be the combo that a lot of families are looking for, and not just as a second family car.

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What does it look like?

The updated X-Terrain hasn't seen a massive change in design, however, there are little things that make it look more purposeful than previous models.

The detailing on the new black 18-inch alloy wheels is sharper and more defined. The extra black accents and crisp angles in the body panels manage to create some ruggedness, too.

The interior is the major drawcard. The seats are plush with their black leather-accented trim and contrasting red stitching. The stitching is carried across the dashboard and doors, as well, for added oomph.

The Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain - a great family ute that combines practicality, size and lots of features. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

1 / 4

The updated X-Terrain hasn’t seen a massive change in design. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

2 / 4

There are little things that make it look more purposeful than previous models. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

3 / 4

The extra black accents and crisp angles in the body panels manage to create some ruggedness. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

4 / 4

The black headliner will hide little fingerprints but it also creates a Batcave-like ambience inside the cabin. There are some lovely soft touch points throughout but they are mixed with harder plastics.

Unfortunately, the sun visors are a bit too flimsy/plasticky looking for my liking but it doesn't detract too much.

The dash looks great with the 9.0-inch multimedia touchscreen integrating well with the massive air-vents and sleek controls. The piano-black shiny inserts also elevate the interior.

It looks good but everything is also where you expect it to be.

The interior is the major drawcard. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

1 / 3

There are some lovely soft touch points throughout but they are mixed with harder plastics. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

2 / 3

The dash looks great with the 9.0-inch multimedia touchscreen integrating well with the massive air-vents and sleek controls. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

3 / 3

How does it drive?

The X-Terrain has two options available and the model I've been testing has the larger 3.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-diesel engine and the grunt is fantastic.

You'll get to where you need to go. It's a real cruiser around town and handles corners well. The steering is direct and the six-speed auto transmission is surprisingly smooth.

The ride comfort is a highlight as the suspension just absorbs the bumps of the road but it can feel floaty in high winds.

It definitely handles like a much smaller car, which is wonderful when you're navigating tighter city streets. The only time you notice how heavy it is, is on hills. I had to put my foot to the floor to keep my speed consistent but I soon got used to it.

The X-Terrain has two options available and the model I’ve been testing has the larger 3.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-diesel engine. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

The four-wheel drive drivetrain offers further flexibility for families who need it and I love the quick reference guide that's on the sun visor.

It's very easy to figure out the different configurations (especially if it's been a while since you've used it!).

The cabin is super quiet considering the grumbly engine and it makes for a more refined driving experience.

The reversing camera feed fills the screen but the image isn't as clear as I was hoping for. I also prefer dynamic guidelines on a car of this size, but honestly, I had no issue in parking this. I had to get it into a tiny car park this week and there was only one 'will I make it?' moment.

How spacious is it?

The cabin is quite roomy and all passengers enjoy good legroom and headroom but passengers sitting behind a taller driver may not agree.

The storage is great for a ute with multiple cubbies up front, deep drink holders in the middle console and doors, plus retractable cupholders in the dashboard (a personal fav).

The seats are plush with their black synthetic leather trim and contrasting red stitching. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

The rear seat isn't forgotten, either. With map pockets, drink bottle holders in each door and two cupholders in the arm rest – there are plenty of spots to tuck things away in.

The back seat is a 40/60 split fold, in case you need a larger space for gear (think pot plants, etc), which you don't often see in a ute.

The tray is large and fairly accessible, too.

The cabin is quite roomy and all passengers enjoy good legroom and headroom but passengers sitting behind a taller driver may not agree. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

How easy is it to use every day?

For its size, it's a super easy car to cruise around in and that's one of my favourite things about it. It's big but it doesn't handle like it's big.

Everything feels very solid; from the chunky stalks through to the traditional gear shifter and handbrake.

The wide sidesteps made it simple for my six-year old to climb in and out (great for his sense of independence) and the wide windows meant he had great view this week.

I see why the ongoing popularity of the D-Max is well deserved. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

Add the decent amenities, including directional air vents and USB-A port, and I had a happy camper in the back seat!

The tray is very practical, too, with an assisted tailgate, which I like because I can find them to be a bit heavy.

The retractable hard tonneau cover is lockable, which is always good for peace of mind; but I also like how the position is adjustable, in case you need some overhang space for bigger gear.

The extra black accents and crisp angles in the body panels manage to create some ruggedness. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

The tonneau pull strap can be fastened to one of the luggage hooks, so it doesn't fling to the back when you open it.

I also like that the tray liner has thick ridges to minimise the movement of your gear and I can confirm that even with the heavy rain during the test week – my stuff was bone dry! Tick, tick and tick.

Warranty & Safety Rating

Basic Warranty

6 years/150,000 km warranty

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ANCAP Safety Rating

How safe is it?

The safety features list is pretty extensive in the D-Max with blind-spot monitoring, lane keeping aids, auto emergency braking and forward collision warning being standard.

You also get trailer sway control, adaptive cruise control, and rear cross-traffic alert (which I always like to have), to name a few.

Front and rear proximity sensors plus the reversing camera make light work of parking, but you also see more airbags than you usually see in a ute, eight, to be exact.

The reversing camera feed fills the screen but the image isn’t as clear as I was hoping for. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

The D-Max has a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating from testing done in 2022 – so it's nice and fresh.

There are ISOFIX mounts and top tethers in the second row for the outboard seats, meaning you'll only be getting two child seats in there.

This does limit flexibility for some families but the ease of child seat installation deserves a big mention. The top tether anchor point is located at the top of the middle seat; meaning there's no awkward juggling between holding a child seat, pushing the rear seat forward and trying to hook the tether on, etc.

It also makes it super simple if you need to remove just one child seat, because you don't have to unclip both seats. Perfect for families who do shared care and swap child seats between cars.

What's the tech like?

The tech is on the simpler side but there is something charming about the retro-ness. The traditional gear shifter and handbrake add to this aesthetic.

There are only two USB-A ports in the whole car and no wireless charging pad. If you're a family with lots of devices, this could get annoying (especially on a roadie) but it didn't bother mine.

The multimedia system is a bit basic and the graphics are shaded in muted browns, making them hard to tell apart.

The built-in satellite navigation is easy to use and it was simple to connect my iPhone 8 Plus to the wireless Apple CarPlay – so it earns some points back there.

How much does it cost to own?

This model will cost you $67,438, before on-road costs, but that's a competitive price, considering the market.

It also has some good features, like synthetic leather seats, heated front seats, electric driver's seat with lumbar support, 4WD capability, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto plus built-in satellite navigation.

Our model featured an optional tow bar tongue kit ($215.05), 12-pin plug ($393.25), an electronic brake controller ($896.05) and rubber floor mats ($208.67) – which are all worth considering for the true adventuring family.

The D-Max comes with Isuzu’s standard six-year/150,000km warranty. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

The official combined fuel cycle is 8.0L/100km and I achieved 7.8L, which I thought was impressive given what's under the hood.

I did do some heavy open road driving this week, so I would expect it to be higher in an urban setting.

The D-Max comes with Isuzu's standard six-year/150,000km warranty, whichever comes first, as well as, roadside assistance for up to seven years.

There is a seven-year capped-price servicing plan and services average $527, which is competitive for this class.

Servicing intervals are reasonable at every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever occurs first.

Pricing & Specs Insurance Quote

Verdict

Pricing Guides

$52,949

Based on 309 cars listed for sale in the last 6 months.

LOWEST PRICE

$24,990

HIGHEST PRICE

$73,994

See all Isuzu D-Max pricing & specs