Sign up / Sign in
Reviews
Browse over 9,000 car reviews
We make it easy to compare design, practicality, value and more
Buying used? Here's what to look out for and buy smart
Your thoughts could drive you to more than just your next destination 🚗💬
Buying guides
Our experts pick the top models
News
What's happening in the automotive world
Get to know the personalities behind the team every week
The stars of the latest big events
The most interesting hints of what's to come
What's been recalled and why. Are you affected?
The latest and future car tech from around the world
Advice
We're here to help you with any car issues
Looking for tips on how to carry or travel with your family?
How To, off-road tips and adventure travel destinations
Not just utes. Detailed advice for you - the tradie - on what car is right for you and your job
Looking for an answer? Our automotive experts are here to help
If you're wondering, we've probably got the answer
Unsure of your car's maximum towing capacity? We've listed all relevant models here.
Wondering how much air to put in your tyres? Our database has the answer
Everything you need to know to keep you and your family as safe as possible
Helpful advice before you finance your next car
Tips for getting the right insurance and how to make a claim
Everything you need to know when sizing up your new car
Browse over 9,000 car reviews
The Isuzu D-Max has been in Australia much longer than its 2008 official arrival would have you think.
The Holden Rodeo was actually a rebadged Isuzu – as was the Jackaroo, but that's another story – which means that Isuzu utes have roamed Australian roads since as far back as 1980. In fact, the Rodeo's predecessor – the Chevy LUV – was sold as far back 1972, so it's fair to say that Isuzu's no newcomer to the market or what it needs.
After Holden's parent company scaled back its ties with Isuzu, the latter decided to launch its wildly successful Rodeo with an Isuzu badge up front and D-Max stencilled across the back. Thanks to a 3.0-litre diesel engine, a range of body styles – from worksite runabout to weekend warrior – the same ruggedness that made the Rodeo an Australian favourite. Nowadays, the latest version is a leader in class safety, refinement and equipment levels. The base model starts from $32,700, rising to $78,900 for the most expensive version.
This has also been known as Chevrolet Colorado, Chevrolet D-Max, Chevrolet LUV D-Max, Holden Colorado, Holden Rodeo, Isuzu KB, Isuzu LB, Isuzu Rodeo, Chevrolet T Series and GMC Canyon.
This vehicle is also known as The Isuzu D-Max is also known as Chevrolet Colorado, Chevrolet D-Max, Chevrolet LUV D-Max, Holden Colorado, Holden Rodeo, Isuzu KB, Isuzu LB, Isuzu Rodeo, Chevrolet T Series, GMC Canyon in markets outside Australia..
Standard equipment on the D-Max SX includes 17-inch steel wheels, an 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a 4.2-inch digital dash element, basic cloth seat trim, and halogen headlights.
There’s a bit to unpack here. The first is that the D-Max is rated to safely tow 3.5 tonnes, so it’s not as if you constantly have the vehicle overloaded in terms of what it’s towing.
But if you also have the tray full of gear as well as 2.3 tonnes of caravan on the hitch, you might find that you’ve been inadvertently running overloaded for most of the time. It happens more than you think. At which point, the Pedders specialist is right; you need a suspension upgrade.
Even then, however, you still need to stay within the manufacturer’s maximum GCM (Gross Combination Mass) and the GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) to stay legal. You can sometimes officially upgrade the GVM with a suspension upgrade that’s been properly engineered, tested and approved (which Pedders is a specialist in) but the GCM is generally not able to be upgraded according to the law in each state and territory.
But none of this explains why a vehicle designed to two 3.5 tonnes is wearing out its rear springs with 2.3 tonnes hitched up. Is the tow-ball down-weight within the legal limit (usually 10 per cent of the weight of the towed load)? Incorrect loading in this manner could affect the springs. Perhaps a fully-loaded visit to an accredited weighbridge might net more answers.
However, if it’s a simple case of the springs wearing out prematurely, then it’s possibly Isuzu’s problem to fix under warranty. Perhaps there was a bad batch of springs fitted at the factory that is affecting your vehicle and others built at the same time. Stranger things have happened.
Show more
It sounds very much like the vehicle has gone into limp-home mode. This is a self-preservation system whereby the engine and drastically reduces the power it’s producing, limits top speed and often locks the transmission into a low gear. Something has happened that has caused this, and a common reason is that something in the engine, fuel system, or (more likely) the transmission has started to get too hot with the strain of towing.
With luck, full operation will be restored once the vehicle has been allowed to cool down. But you may need to visit a dealership to have things reset. It’s always a good idea to do a full engine and transmission fluid and filter change after any overheating event anyway.
Show more
The list of possible causes for a modern turbo-diesel engine not to start would fill a pretty large book, and there’s no point trying to guess the problem. If the engine is cranking but nothing else is happening, most mechanics will start by looking at the fuel system. There could be a problem with the tank pick-up, the fuel rail, the injectors, the filters and many more components. But a check of the fuel delivery pressure and volume is a good place to start.
But this is not a job for the amateur in their driveway. Modern diesels use super high injector pressures, and, if there’s any residual pressure in the system when you crack it open, that pressure is enough to remove fingers, just like a high-pressure water jet can cut steel.
Show more
Standard colours in the D-Max range include black, silver, white, blue, and grey. However, higher grades can additionally be chosen in red, grey, premium white, and orange.
The D-Max has a well equipped interior for a dual-cab with either an 8.0 or 9.0-inch touchscreen and either a 4.2-inch or 7.0-inch digital dash cluster.
The D-Max is offered with two engine choices, either a 1.9-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder producing 110kW/350Nm, or a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder producing 140kW/450Nm.
The D-Max is available in two-door single or extended 'Space Cab' layouts, as well as the standard five-seat dual-cab layout. Seats are clad in two types of cloth or synthetic leather depending on grade.
At its official fuel consumption (up to 8.0L/100km) and with a 76 litre fuel tank, dual-cab versions of the D-Max equipped with the 3.0-litre engine can travel an estimated 950km between fills.
Isuzu does not offer an official 0-100km/h sprint time for any D-Max variant.
There are a range of trays from which to choose for the Isuzu D-Max LS-U crew cab chassis: economy alloy, general purpose alloy, heavy-duty alloy, and heavy-duty steel.
Prices vary, depending on the tray fitted; for instance, the 1800mm-long heavy-duty alloy tray costs $2900 fitted.