Isuzu D-Max Review: Off-Road Experts Weigh In

The Isuzu D-Max is often hailed as one of Australia’s most reliable and capable utes. It’s extremely versatile in the sense that it can cater for a whole range of people including tradies, 4X4 adventurers, families and touring enthusiasts due to its ability to provide comfort and capability both on the blacktop and beyond. The Isuzu D-Max can easily shapeshift from being the school and footy training ‘run around vehicle’ during the week to the family weekend adventure machine on the tracks. In both urban and off-road environments, the D-Max provides durability, versatility and performance; a seemingly all-rounder if you were to judge a book by its cover. But appearances aren’t everything and often you’ll need to consider an Isuzu D-Max review to assist your decision-making process.

At Club 4X4, we’ve dedicated our fair share of time into putting the Isuzu D-Max to the test in real-life conditions, which allows us to provide a tried and tested perspective on whether this rig should be on your radar. Much more than insurance agents, our team is made up of passionate and experienced 4WDers who live and breathe the lifestyle our customers are looking to insure.

So, is the Isuzu D-Max the versatile vehicle your family needs to balance an urban and adventurous lifestyle? Keep reading our Isuzu D-Max review to find out what our off-road experts think.

Isuzu d-max in front of a sand dune orange 4x4

Overview of the Isuzu D-Max

When you cast your mind back to 2008 you may remember it was the year of the Beijing Olympics, Barack Obama was elected president and of course, the Isuzu D-Max first hit Aussie shores. Since its introduction, the D-Max has made its way up the ladder and cemented a place as a serious contender in what is a very competitive market. Us Aussies love our Outback adventures and we need our vehicles to be capable enough to get us to our adventure and of course bring us home safely. The Isuzu D-Max is tough and available in multiple configurations.

In this Isuzu D-Max review it would be remiss to not mention the Isuzu D-Max’s standout features, including its well-known 3.0L turbo-diesel engine, which produces 140kW and 450Nm, available across most of the D-Max lineup. You’ll find this paired with either a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission. If you have a caravan in tow or a boat along for the adventure, you’ll need to consider its towing capacity, rated up to 3,500kg (braked) and remember payload varies by variant.

Although you could spend your time Googling ‘Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain Review’ or ‘Isuzu D-Max Blade review’ this Isuzu D-Max review will give you a detailed analysis on all of the models so you can spend less time researching and more time adventuring.

Detailed Model Reviews

Isuzu D-Max SX Review

The Isuzu D-MAX SX 4X4 isn’t trying to win beauty contests or chase an LC79’s bragging rights. It’s one of those utes that doesn’t make a big song and dance about what it can do, it just gets on with it. It features a relatively plain appearance with steel wheels and a fairly basic interior as standard. It’s ground clearance is on par with its competitors as is its off-road capability and sits at the lower end of the range for Isuzu D-Max’s.

It has the same 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine that’s found throughout the range. The 450Nm of torque is delivered low and steady which is great for towing and steep climbs. It’s not going to pin you to the seat, but it’ll happily lug the right size caravan around Australia. Compare that to some of the dual-cab utes that make more noise than progress and you start to see why the D-Max has amassed such a loyal following.

On the tracks the SX walked the same rutted inclines and off-camber tracks we’ve tested in a Ranger XLS and HiLux SR5 and handled them admirably. The rear diff lock and traction control do their job, and the approach and departure angles are surprisingly decent even in stock form.

Inside? It’s utilitarian but functional. Vinyl floors, hard-wearing cloth, wired Apple CarPlay—everything you need, nothing you don’t. For fleet buyers or tourers who prefer to build their own 4X4 from a clean slate, the SX is exactly the right spec.

Isuzu D-Max Blade Review

The Isuzu D-MAX Blade is what happens when Isuzu takes its proven, hard-working platform then gives it the keys to the entire accessories cupboard and a name that sounds like it’s trying too hard to be punchy, but hey, that’s just our opinion. The Blade is based on the LS-M model D-Max but loaded with extras. To be fair, it packs in a decent bit of kit but it does seem to have forgotten it’s no-nonsense DNA that’s made the D-MAX a mainstay for tradies and tourers alike.

Under the skin it’s the same familiar 3.0L turbo-diesel with the same 140kW and 450Nm, paired to a six-speed auto that’s more workhorse than it is sports shift. While it’s not the most refined drivetrain on the market, it’s proven to be quite reliable even when towing heavy or crawling through low range.

What separates the Blade from its siblings is the added polish, stickers and style. Factory black styling pack, leather trim, 18-inch alloys, privacy glass, and a factory-fitted roller top that’s actually usable, especially for those hauling expensive tools or gear on the daily. Inside, it’s a step up in comfort with heated seats, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and all the safety kit that matters, including adaptive cruise, lane keep assist, and AEB. It’s a competitor to the Ford Ranger Wildtrak but not Isuzu’s best attempt at one, with the Blade looking and feeling more at home on the freeway than the tracks owing mainly to its loud styling.

That said, it’s still capable off-road. On dirt, it performs like the rest of the range: predictable and confident. With the rear diff lock, a decent traction control system, and enough clearance for moderate off-roading, the Blade does feel like a dressed-up city cruiser, but when it needs to, it’ll get the job done.

isuzu d-max driving through muddy water

Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain

If the D-Max SX is the workhorse of the family and the Blade is the dressed-up tradie, then the X-Terrain is the boss’s ute, but the kind who still camps off-grid and knows how to drive. Sitting at the top of the D-Max line-up, the X-Terrain packs in every feature Isuzu could throw at it without turning into a soft-roader.

Underneath, it’s the same 3.0L four-pot diesel you’ll find across the range, 140kW, 450Nm, and tuned for real-world use. Towing, hill starts, technical tracksthis thing will get it done. It might not have the headline figures of a V6 Ranger, but you don’t need to rev its ring off it to get results. It delivers the torque where you need it.

Where the X-Terrain steps up is in comfort and gear. Leather trim, heated seats, a roller tonneau that, again, actually seals properly, remote start, and one of the better factory infotainment setups going. Plus all the active safety gear AEB, blind spot, rear cross traffic, adaptive cruise, the works. It’s genuinely easy to live with, whether you’re commuting or chasing tracks out near the Flinders.

If you want a ute that can do the big trips, look sharp doing it, and still feel like a proper 4WD when the bitumen disappears, the D-Max X-Terrain makes a solid case. All the fruit, none of the fluff.

Performance and Reliability

So now you have a rough idea of where each model sits and why and your mind is probably whispering “okay Club 4X4, now prove it”. We at Club 4X4 know that the adventure starts once you hit the rough stuff, which is why our reviews will always include real-world testing where we vouch for a rig’s ability to navigate boggy trails, bumpy terrains and tricky tracks that require technical wheeling. We also know that many of you like to take the luxuries of a hot shower and a comfortable bed along for your trips in the form of a caravan, so reviewing these vehicles with their ability to effectively tow is always top of mind for us.

“Are Isuzu D-Max’s reliable?”

We think its reputation in the Australian market as one of the top considerations for touring families and adventures is deserved and aptly earnt. Its 3.0L diesel engine is built to last and allows Aussie adventurers to conquer the challenging conditions often thrown our way on Outback missions.

Given their popularity, common problems have been well reported. These include the diesel particulate filter clogging (what a surprise) especially when undertaking a lot of short trips as the filter is unable to regenerate efficiently. This isn’t unique to Isuzu though, with many other vehicles fitted with DPFs suffering from the same issue. The EGR valve has also been reported to experience blockages due to the carbon build-up, which can affect many modern diesels on the market and results in reduced performance. In automatic transmissions we’ve heard of some issues that include harsh shifting or hesitation as well as squeaky suspension bushes that arise after a period of using the vehicle off-road and rear diff-locks that have issues while engaging.

orange 4x4 with camper on back in front of beach and sunset

Practical FAQs

The Price

Let’s begin with a common first question and priority of many: the price point - something a Isuzu D-Max review would be remiss without. Costs for the Isuzu D-Max begin around $46,000 for the entry-level SX model and can be around $75,000 for the all-rounder X-Terrain. If you’re looking at the Blade be prepared to fork out around $87,000 for it, which in our mind is a bad buy price-wise when compared to the X-Terrain and other dual cab ute’s on the market.

Most Common Issue with the Isuzu D-Max

The most common problem, as previously mentioned, is the instance of DPF blockages. With this in mind you may want to consider longer drives and regular servicing to stay on top of this risk.

Can we Expect Reliability?

It’s always important to question the reliability of a vehicle, as just like your vehicle insurance, you want to be able to have faith in your rig. Especially when it’s taking you to remote, inhospitable places for an epic outback adventure. Isuzu has a reputation for long-lasting diesel engines, in vehicles that are built tough and reliable. This is one key reason that D-Max’s are well regarded and able to remain on the to-buy list for Aussies.

Which Country are They Made in?

The Isuzu D-Max is manufactured in Thailand at Isuzu Motors Company (Thailand) Limited (also referred to as IMCT). This is the primary global production hub for the Isuzu D-Max and it supplies vehicles to over 100 countries and regions.

orange 4x4 with open door in front of rock cliff face in desert

In Summary

Thanks to the variation in models and the offerings that span across them, the Isuzu D-Max is a vehicle that can tailor to tradies, adventuring couples, solo off-roaders and families alike. Whether you’re hauling a caravan or tackling some technical 4X4 driving, the Isuzu D-Max promises to be a reliable vehicle that continues to challenge its competitors. If you’re seeking a new adventure machine, the Isuzu D-Max deserves a look in.