2024 Isuzu D-Max
It could be argued that Isuzu didn’t really need to update the D-Max light-utility vehicle. It was 2023’s third-best-selling ute, and the Japanese car maker was part of the top 10 best-selling brands last year.
But the dual-cab ute market moves fast, and the once-great Isuzu D-Max has been overtaken by rivals such as the Ford Ranger and Mitsubishi Triton. This new update attempts to address the gap.
Isuzu has opted to issue slight styling tweaks inside and out, new infotainment features and functionality, as well as enhanced safety equipment as standard.
Of course, the brand has kept the fan favourite 3.0-litre turbo diesel engine unchanged with its 140kW/450Nm outputs.
Drive was invited to sample the facelifted dual-cab ute on Isuzu Ute Australia’s home turf in Brisbane. Here’s how we got on.
How much is an Isuzu D-Max?
With new equipment, new styling, and newer features come increased costs. The range is between $500 and $3000 more expensive compared to the list pricing of the pre-facelift version, but Isuzu’s drive-away deals for the entry-level and flagship bookends remain.
That means buyers of the top-spec X-Terrain, as focused on in this review, pay $67,990 drive-away nationwide.
A full run-down of Isuzu’s 2024 D-Max range is linked here.
Looks-wise, the 2024 Isuzu D-Max is most obviously distinguished by a new front fascia with an enlarged grille design, new headlights, three-tier LED tail-lights, and redesigned wheels.
The X-Terrain specification in particular gets a dark grey front grille apron, tweaked wheel guard cladding, unique matte grey 18-inch wheels, and subtle changes to the rear sail-plane sports bar.
As before, the Isuzu D-Max is available with either a 1.9-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine with 110kW/350Nm outputs, or a higher-capacity 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel with 140kW/450Nm.
Power is sent to a part-time four-wheel-drive system in higher-end variants such as the flagship D-Max X-Terrain, though a 4x2 configuration remains available to lower-grade variants.
Equipment and features unique to the top-spec X-Terrain include front parking sensors, leather-accented seats with red stitching, remote engine start, roller tonneau cover, and ‘X’ badging on the tailgate.
Key details 2024 Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain
Price $70,500 plus on-road costs
Colour of test car Magnetic Red mica
Options Premium paint
Price as tested $67,990 drive-away
Rivals Toyota HiLux | Mazda BT-50 | Ford Ranger
The cabin of the updated 2024 D-Max X-Terrain presents largely similar to its predecessor, though closer inspection reveals some key tweaks – some of which were implemented off the back of customer and media feedback.
Trainspotters will notice the new dials for volume and tuning – a far better way to tweak settings while driving. However, unfortunately the buttons for skipping between functions are now gone and replaced with touch-sensitive keys. That said, given the choice between the two changes – I appreciate the volume dial so much more.
Like before, the air-conditioning controls are found beneath the main infotainment screen.
I’ve always appreciated the broad shoulder support on Isuzu’s seats, and it’s easy for my tall 194cm to get comfortable in the seat. There’s good side support for rounding bends and the electronic seat adjustments allow the driver to set a comfy, lofty driving position.
Though subtle, I appreciate the new design points found on the edges of trims on the dash, and also found on the door panels. It’s that little bit of stylistic flair that you don’t normally find on dual-cab utes.
Storage is covered off between a deep centre console bin, twin cupholders, and a slot underneath the dash for your phone – but there is no wireless charger. A two-tier glovebox sits in front of the front seat passenger for hiding items away from prying eyes.
Controls for the car’s 4x4 system – including a rear diff lock, hill descent control, and low-range gearing – are nested around the gear selector.
Second-row comfort is good for a dual-cab ute. I had clear head room above and a comfortable level of knee room, while there’s even decent space side-to-side when the car’s fully laden with passengers.
There are air vents servicing the second row and USB-C ports for powering devices. One change for the 2024 update is the move from USB-A ports to USB-C. Map pockets provide a space for loose items and a fold-down centre armrest contains a pair of cupholders.
I like that the rear seat is modular in that the seat base can flip up to provide great floor space for stowing large items. The backrest can also flip forward.
One thing I love about the D-Max is the gas struts for the rear tailgate. You can unlatch the rear tailgate and it gently glides down rather than slamming down with a clatter.
2024 Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain
Seats Five
Length 5303mm
Width 1880mm
Height 1810mm
Wheelbase 3125mm
Does the Isuzu D-Max have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
The same old 9.0-inch touchscreen display does service in the higher-end D-Max variants. It’s a fair size compared to some rivals such as the Nissan Navara (8.0-inch display) but trails the Ford Ranger (12-inch).
It works fine, but there are not a lot of features to play with. There is embedded satellite navigation, but owners will want to use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto – at least I did in previous Isuzus. The good thing is both smartphone mirroring services are now wireless.
What has changed is the underlying software – there’s a new home screen style that paves way to a host of neat new features. There is enhanced functionality with off-road angle displays, tyre pressure monitoring screens, and 4x4 driveline information. Drivers can also tweak the adaptive safety systems using the central infotainment display.
In front of the driver sits a new 7.0-inch digital driver display that uses unique X-Terrain graphics, but the changeable nature of the screen’s information is really handy. I love the sci-fi-style graphics to the speedometer.
In place of old USB-A ports, the new D-Max now sports updated USB-C for charging and connecting to the car.
Is the Isuzu D-Max a safe car?
The incoming Isuzu D-Max will inherit its predecessor's five-star ANCAP result achieved under 2022 protocols.
This means an adult occupant protection score of 86 per cent, a child occupant protection score of 89 per cent, a vulnerable road user protection score of 69 per cent, and 84 per cent for safety assist systems.
2024 Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain
ANCAP rating Five stars (tested 2022)
Safety report Link to ANCAP report
What safety technology does the Isuzu D-Max have?
Isuzu made headlines in 2020 for including a swathe of active safety equipment on the D-Max as standard. It has just updated a bunch of that equipment for 2024.
These updates include a new-generation stereo camera system with a 200 per cent wider field of view increased to 120 degrees compared to the pre-update D-Max.
Also, the traffic sign recognition system now pairs with the intelligent adaptive cruise control to quickly and easily change the cruise control's speed when posted limits change.
The rear cross-traffic alert system is now paired with a braking function that can apply the brakes if the car detects passing traffic, pedestrians, or cyclists while reversing.
These features worked as intended at the launch.
The D-Max also gets eight airbags.
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) Yes Includes cyclist, pedestrian detection
Adaptive Cruise Control Yes Includes traffic jam assist
Blind Spot Alert Yes Alert only
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert Yes Alert and assist (new) functions
Lane Assistance Yes Lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centring assist
Road Sign Recognition Yes Includes speed limit assist
Driver Attention Warning Yes Assist function
Cameras & Sensors Yes Front and rear sensors, reversing camera
How much does the Isuzu D-Max cost to run?
Isuzus come with a six-year/150,000km warranty, which compares to Nissan’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre offering or Mitsubishi’s 10-year/200,000km (if serviced within Mitsubishi network).
Buyers also get a seven-year roadside assistance service.
Isuzu has tweaked its service pricing for the 2024 Isuzu D-Max. Services should take place at either 12-month or 15,000km intervals, but Isuzu now has a flat-price structure for the first five years.
Each service now costs $449, meaning five years’ coverage costs $2245. This is less expensive than the Mazda BT-50 ($2443) and Mitsubishi Triton ($2445).
The Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain will cost $2233 to insure per year based on a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.
At a glance 2024 Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain
Warranty Six years/150,000km
Service intervals 12 months or 15,000km
Servicing costs $1347 (3 years)
$2245 (5 years)
Is the Isuzu D-Max fuel-efficient?
Isuzu claims the 3.0-litre automatic-spec D-Max uses 8.0 litres per 100 kilometres on a combined cycle and 9.8L/100km around town.
At the launch I saw 8.9L/100km indicated on the digital cluster – this was achieved over off-road trails and a short road drive. In the past, we’ve seen similar numbers (8.7L/100km) out of the Isuzu D-Max when we’ve had examples through the Drive garage.
The D-Max range is diesel-only, with a 76-litre fuel tank. At Isuzu's claimed consumption it has a touring range of 950km, but as tested expect closer to 850km between fills.
Fuel efficiency 2024 Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain
Fuel cons. (claimed) 8.0L/100km
Fuel cons. (on test) 8.9L/100km
Fuel type Diesel
Fuel tank size 76L
What is the Isuzu D-Max like to drive?
The top-spec 3.0-litre 2024 Isuzu D-Max continues with 140kW/450Nm outputs sent to a part-time four-wheel-drive system. It’s mated to a six-speed Aisin-sourced automatic transmission.
It’s down numbers-wise on the comparable Ford Ranger 2.0TT (157kW/500Nm), but there is no major lack of shove from the Isuzu unit and its six-speed transmission is better behaved.
Australians love the steadfast reliability offered by the Isuzu combo, and it feels remarkably sturdy in its power application. There’s a load of torque served up as soon as you depress the throttle, and the six-speed transmission is bang-on for serving up the right ratio quickly.
A 1.9-litre unit is offered on lower-grade variants (110kW/350Nm), though the big 3.0-litre engine is the one we really appreciate under the D-Max’s bonnet. There’s more than enough grunt for performing swift overtakes on back roads, and its fuel economy isn’t that much more in real terms.
It’s a relatively refined engine and gearbox, for a dual-cab ute, and doesn’t serve unnecessary vibrations or shunts into the cabin when the driver goes for hard accelerations. There is an element of engine noise that makes its way to the cabin, but road and wind noise is subdued.
Time spent off-road at the D-Max’s launch revealed the dual-cab ute is as good as ever off the beaten track. Especially with the added Rough Terrain Mode, the Isuzu keeps pace slow but steady over undulating mounds, and you don’t have to bury the throttle to keep progressing up big hills.
The X-Terrain variant doesn’t have the best approach, rampover, and departure angles of the D-Max range, and it can drag its bum over tricky mounds, but overall it trundles over all kinds of terrain without fuss.
Its suspension is tuned to absorb most large road impacts – it’s only the minor corrugations and road imperfections that can move the body about.
Despite the D-Max’s trademark lightweight steering, it feels like a heavy ute to track through corners and the car pitches forward when you hit the anchors hard. It’s not a dynamic stand-out – its application is far more aligned to work.
