2026 Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain assessment

The Isuzu D-Max, like the corporate that builds it, has moved fairly slowly inside Australia’s quickly evolving new-car market.

Probably the most important current change was the addition of a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel to interchange the anaemic 1.9-litre on the backside of the vary, which occurred on the finish of 2025. The hardcore Blade – a flagship ute developed regionally by Walkinshaw Automotive – was additionally added to the vary final yr.

However since then, Isuzu hasn’t performed a complete lot to its well-liked ute. There’s an argument to be made for not fixing one thing if it is not damaged, and the D-Max is a stable possibility that is still one in every of Australia’s top-five hottest utes regardless of a year-on-year gross sales decline.

Whereas it is true the D-Max continues to be related as a diesel ute, diesel utes have gotten more and more unsustainable. Stringent new emissions laws have prompted different ute makers to impress their choices in a method or one other to assist minimise monetary penalties, however Isuzu’s relative inaction is leaving it in a troublesome place.

Not like its rivals, Isuzu has no electrified fashions in Australia, a rustic that requires auto manufacturers to satisfy common fleet-wide emissions limits, which scale back yearly till 2029, prompting many manufacturers to roll out extra hybrids and electrical autos (EVs). Isuzu has its personal electrical D-Max abroad, however its future in Australia stays hazy.

And so Isuzu Ute Australia continues to discipline a diesel-only engine lineup throughout each its D-Max ute vary and the associated MU-X giant SUV. Costs proceed to climb, too, with the 2026 Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain on check right here priced $2500 larger than it was at the moment final yr.

The X-Terrain is the flagship D-Max, barring the Australia-specific Blade. It is nonetheless in-built Thailand, as most of Australia’s different dual-cabs are, and presents loads of the luxuries one would possibly count on from an costly ute.

Even so, is it nonetheless related within the Australian market, or has Isuzu left its electrification run too late?

How a lot does the Isuzu D-Max price?

The X-Terrain is the costliest factory-built D-Max, priced at $73,000 earlier than on-roads, making it cheaper than solely the Australian-fettled Blade.

4×2

4×4

Rivals embrace equally well-equipped utes just like the Ford Ranger Wildtrak, which prices $75,090 earlier than on-roads however has the benefit of a way more highly effective V6 diesel engine.

There’s additionally the Toyota HiLux Rugged X at $71,990 plus on-roads, the Mitsubishi Triton GSR at $65,590 plus ORCs, and the GWM Cannon XSR at $51,990 drive-away.

It is also vital to say the D-Max’s twin, the Mazda BT-50. In top-spec Thunder guise, it prices $79,490 plus ORCs.

To see how the Isuzu D-Max stacks up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability software

What’s the Isuzu D-Max like on the within?

The D-Max nonetheless presents a presentable inside, however there is no denying it is ageing shortly in comparison with the competitors.

That is principally because of the huge quantity of scratchy black plastic all through the cabin, which does the D-Max no favours on first impressions. Even when some surfaces are literally smooth to the contact, it would not change the truth that all of it appears to be like a bit low-cost.

We perceive the automobile exists to serve a goal, however we might like a bit of extra luxurious in a ute that is as costly because the X-Terrain. That is to not say there are not any premium-feeling inclusions, although.

For one, we fairly just like the steering wheel. Its diameter feels small for a automobile of the D-Max’s calibre, however that makes it enjoyable to throw round, whereas the graceful leather-based wrap accentuates how effectively proportioned it’s.

It is also fitted with an applicable variety of buttons, that are labelled clearly sufficient and completed in dull-looking plastic. We will respect the relative simplicity right here, as you are not overwhelmed by making an attempt to determine what does what amongst a extra sophisticated array of smaller buttons – taking a look at you, Toyota.

Additionally good are the seats, which within the X-Terrain are leather-accented, heated, power-adjustable, and highlighted by crimson stitching. They’re as snug as they have to be for a dual-cab ute, and it is good and simple to get them located.

Different fittings within the cabin are kind of nice, however we’ll nonetheless complain about the usage of scratch-prone piano-black plastic across the gear selector and on the steering wheel. Extra scratchy plastic is discovered on the centre console too, although it is offset by the smooth armrests.

Sadly, Isuzu’s in-car tech is starting to look fairly dated. Beginning with the 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen within the center, its homepage is populated with giant widgets sporting last-decade graphics, that are typically helpful even when they appear a bit of drained.

That mentioned, we had a number of connectivity issues. Not solely did it take a good whereas to arrange wi-fi Apple CarPlay once we first hopped in, however all the system inexplicably froze throughout a daily drive residence. Solely after a tough reset did it come good, however CarPlay nonetheless would not reconnect by itself.

This method no less than permits easy accessibility to its extra nuanced settings menus, which is nice given the elevated reliance on tech in trendy vehicles. It is a related story for the 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, which presents just some menus, navigable through three buttons on the suitable facet of the steering wheel.

There’s loads of information right here consequently, and its graphics do not look fairly as dated. They’re easy sufficient whereas nonetheless trying as you’d count on for a digital unit, and we just like the crimson theme utilized to every little thing within the X-Terrain.

You may discover there are nonetheless bodily gauges for RPM and gas stage on both facet, and a light-based gauge for engine coolant temperature. These do the job in addition to every other, and house owners will little doubt respect the actual fact they’re acquainted and unintimidating when placing this automobile to work.

We will not go with out mentioning the automobile’s local weather system both, which on this explicit D-Max takes the type of an 11-switch array. Any adjustments are proven on the easy show straight above, and whereas there are a good few buttons right here, a number of hours behind the wheel ought to commit them to reminiscence.

The D-Max, significantly variants above the bottom SX grade, presents sturdy inside storage. There are the usual coin trays and cupholders on the centre console, a properly sized central storage field, and beneficiant door-card bottle holders, however there are additionally a few smarter inclusions too.

In entrance of the passenger is a two-tier glovebox, together with a daily lower-dash compartment with loads of area, plus a higher-up space for different free objects you would possibly must entry extra readily. One other bonus is the inclusion of extra cupholders that come out of the dashboard at both finish, as in a Ranger.

We’ve got no complaints with any of that, nevertheless, it is disappointing there is no wi-fi cellphone charger as commonplace. As an alternative, it’s out there as a $473.28 possibility that occupies the ‘coin tray’ underneath the centre stack. That is powerful to swallow in a ute costing almost $80,000 as soon as all is alleged and performed.

In any other case, the D-Max is a case of what you see is what you get. The second row is about as spacious as most different equally sized dual-cabs, which is to say it is workable with out being palatial.

Aiding ingress and egress for higher-grade Isuzu utes are beefy facet steps operating the size of the cab. These are particularly helpful for reaching the rear seats, because the rear doorways do not open as extensive as they need to.

This may make wrangling youngster seats harder than it must be, and the D-Max dual-cab has all of the requisite ISOFIX anchors and top-tether factors. Should you’re getting in with out a baby, you need to use the sturdy seize handles on the B-pillars to vault your self in.

As soon as seated on the agency, flat rear bench, you will discover it has fairly a excessive seating place. That gives good outward visibility however will compromise headroom for taller occupants, whereas toe and leg room will rely significantly on the place the entrance seats are positioned – there’s additionally a small driveline hump within the center to deal with.

The D-Max claws again some factors with its inclusion of two air vents and a single USB-C outlet on the again of the centre console, and there is additionally a smooth fold-down armrest with two cupholders. Additionally helpful are the entrance seatback map pockets and the small cargo hook on the again of the passenger seat.

You may inform the X-Terrain other than different D-Max variants by its modern sports activities bar on the again, which melds properly between the cab and the bathtub. It additionally encompasses a rolling metallic tonneau cowl as commonplace, which could be very safe however eats into cupboard space on the entrance of the bathtub.

The D-Max’s tub is marginally shorter than the Ranger’s, which is in keeping with the 2 autos’ general lengths. Loading capability is in any other case related between the 2, and entry to the D-Max’s load area is less complicated because of its damped tailgate.

The X-Terrain is fitted with two tie-down factors as commonplace, fewer than the 4 within the D-Max LS-U+. A bathtub liner is no less than commonplace, which is able to higher shield in opposition to injury from instruments and different cargo.

Beneath the automobile can also be a full-size metal spare wheel, as with each different D-Max trim stage.

To see how the Isuzu D-Max stacks up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability software

What’s underneath the bonnet?

Powering the D-Max X-Terrain is Isuzu’s trusty 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine producing 140kW of energy and 450Nm of torque. Drive is distributed to a part-time four-wheel drive system through a six-speed computerized transmission as commonplace.

Our week with the D-Max concerned freeway commuting and journeys by Melbourne’s suburbs. The portion of lower-speed driving (and occasional lead-footed acceleration) little doubt contributed to our higher-than-claimed gas consumption readout.

To see how the Isuzu D-Max stacks up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability software

How does the Isuzu D-Max drive?

The D-Max has lengthy been considered one of many better-sorted dual-cabs available on the market, and time hasn’t modified that.

In any case, Isuzu has been within the dual-cab sport for fairly some time, so it is no shock the D-Max performs fairly effectively. The place loads of different hardy dual-cabs are inclined to clatter and bang over bumps whereas unladen, the D-Max retains its physique in test and stays snug on lengthy drives.

It is no Lexus limousine, nevertheless it’s no farm truck, both. That stability is struck by this D-Max’s inclusion of standard-duty rear leaf springs, that are noticeably softer and extra compliant than the leaf pack Isuzu presents on the cheaper finish of the vary for variations targeted on heavier hauling.

As such, the X-Terrain feels steady and assured at 100km/h on tough rural roads. Certain, there is a good bit of jostling to deal with from the motive force’s seat, however massive shocks to the system are commendably uncommon.

The truth is, the ute’s well-sorted suspension does a superb job of preserving the tyres glued to the pavement, even over the harshest bumps and dips. The very fact it is not skittish over these obstacles, even mid-corner, helps to encourage confidence behind the wheel, even when the D-Max nonetheless cannot fairly match a Ranger for general trip high quality or refinement.

The front-end is, as anticipated, wallowy. And it would not love being thrown round bends – be it on a twisty nation street or round suburban roundabouts – with an excessive amount of aggression. It nonetheless turns and grips with respectable composure, however you get quite a lot of physique motion in corners.

Keep in mind the X-Terrain is in the end nonetheless a business automobile, so this is not shocking. If you would like a D-Max that may flip extra confidently, you’ll be able to all the time go for the regionally tuned Blade, or the extra ‘lifestyle-oriented’ variations of the Ranger.

Whereas mild energy steering contributes to that attribute, it additionally makes the D-Max extra manoeuvrable round city. It is exceptionally simple to twirl the small steering wheel round in carparks, making this ute really feel pretty nimble at low velocity.

There are another traits of the driving expertise that’ll take a second to get used to. The pedals, for one, are very doughy and must be pressed pretty far into their journey earlier than something occurs.

This is applicable to each the accelerator and the brake, which really feel like they have to be pushed previous midway earlier than you get any significant response. Each nonetheless work nice, however this may increasingly throw you off for those who’re steadily swapping between autos.

The transmission, in the meantime, is usually well-behaved, however appears to all the time wish to be within the highest gear potential. It will shift up by the gears fairly shortly underneath acceleration, providing you with the impression that the engine is bogging down when you’re at cruising velocity.

That is significantly noticeable at round 80km/h, the place it appears to always shift between the suitable gear and the following one up underneath minor throttle enter. Once more, this does not make it undriveable, nevertheless it’s one thing we steadily observed.

With regards to the engine itself, we discovered it to be sufficient for the applying. The D-Max actually is not a quick automobile, however efficiency is just about the place it must be for variants geared up with the three.0-litre turbo-diesel, which continues to be preferable to the range-opening 2.2-litre.

If you will get previous the clattery soundtrack and vibrations making their manner into the cabin, one can find the D-Max is greater than able to getting up and going. It will rev out as you speed up onto a high-speed street, persevering with to tug in a constantly linear style with out an excessive amount of fuss.

It quietens down comfortably when you’re at cruising velocity, although it would exhibit extra low-RPM vibration if the autobox selects too excessive a gear. Nonetheless, engine noise is not too unhealthy at 110km/h, and neither street nor wind noise are an excessive amount of of a problem both.

It is also price noting the D-Max nonetheless lacks full-time four-wheel drive, not like high-spec variations of the Triton and Ranger. Which means its default rear-drive format generates extra rear-wheel slip for those who’re heavy-footed on a moist street, however after all that’s mitigated considerably by loading up the bathtub.

None of that is significantly stunning for a mainstream diesel ute, nevertheless it’s honest to need a bit of extra powertrain sophistication given our tester’s price ticket. And when you think about you will get a better-equipped Ranger Wildtrak with a extra highly effective V6 and smarter 4×4 system for simply $2000 extra, it could possibly be a sticking level.

A lot of the D-Max’s security techniques are dependable, which is greater than may be mentioned concerning the Triton and its overzealous driver consideration monitor. We had no such points with the D-Max in that sense, and most different techniques additionally labored as meant.

We did, nevertheless, discover some minor flaws. Most blatant was that the entrance parking sensors would usually go off when stopped at a crimson mild, even when there was greater than sufficient hole to the automobile forward.

There’s additionally the truth that its lane-centring perform (paired with adaptive cruise management) is reluctant to use a lot steering lock and is sluggish to react to tighter bends. Which means it is normally simply higher to steer your self except the freeway you are on has solely mild curves.

All up, although, the D-Max is about as simple because it will get for a diesel dual-cab. Flaws apart, it shouldn’t have any problem getting the job performed for those who put it to work.

For an in depth have a look at the D-Max’s off-road capabilities, take a look at our video assessment beneath:

To see how the Isuzu D-Max stacks up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability software

What do you get?

The Isuzu D-Max is accessible in six grades, together with the Walkinshaw-tuned Blade flagship.

2026 Isuzu D-Max SX tools highlights:

• 17-inch metal wheels with all-terrain tyres
• Full-size metal spare wheel
• Heavy-duty rear leaf springs (cab/chassis)
• Customary-duty rear leaf springs (pickup)
• Unpainted entrance grille
• Auto halogen headlights
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Vinyl flooring
• Urethane steering wheel
• Black material upholstery
• 6-way guide driver’s seat
• 4.2-inch digital instrument show
• 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• DAB+ digital radio
• 4-speaker sound system
• Single-zone air-conditioning
• Rear-facing air vents (dual-cab solely)
• Tailgate help (pickup solely)

D-Max X-Rider provides:

• 17-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres
• Auto LED headlights
• LED fog lights
• Black sports activities bar
• ‘Excessive Grade’ material upholstery
• 6-speaker sound system
• Two-tier glovebox
• Mushy tonneau cowl

D-Max LS-U provides:

• 18-inch alloy wheels with highway-terrain tyres
• Tow-bar receiver
• LED taillights
• Heated facet mirrors
• Chrome entrance grille
• Aluminium facet steps
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Carpet flooring
• Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel
• Driver’s seat lumbar assist
• 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster
• 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• 8-speaker ‘Sky Sound’ roof-mounted sound system
• Twin-zone local weather management
• Keyless entry

Removes black sports activities bar and smooth tonneau cowl.

D-Max LS-U+ provides:

• Silver facet steps
• Leather-based-accented upholstery
• 8-way energy driver’s seat
• 4-way energy entrance passenger seat
• Heated entrance seats

D-Max X-Terrain provides:

• 18-inch darkish gray alloy wheels with highway-terrain tyres
• Darkish gray entrance grille
• Aero sports activities bar
• Crimson inside stitching
• Distant engine begin
• Black curler tonneau cowl

D-Max Blade provides:

• 17-inch black alloy wheels with Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac RT all-terrain tyres
• 29mm suspension raise with Walkinshaw-developed twin-tube dampers
• 3mm thick crimson bash plate
• 8-tonne load-rated restoration factors with cross-bracing
• Fender flares with built-in air curtains
• Black entrance grille with built-in tinted lens mild bar
• Black entrance bumper cladding
• Black tailgate badging, decals, and tubular facet steps
• Black one-piece prolonged sports activities bar with built-in brake mild
• Black tailgate deal with, door handles, and facet mirrors
• ‘Blade’ logos on headrests, flooring mats, and scuff plates
• Individually numbered Blade identification plates

To see how the Isuzu D-Max stacks up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability software

Is the Isuzu D-Max secure?

The Isuzu D-Max has a five-star ANCAP security ranking based mostly on testing carried out in 2022. This ranking excludes the Walkinshaw-built Blade.

Customary security tools highlights:

• 8 airbags, incl:
• • Entrance
  • Curtain
  • Driver’s knee
  • Facet
  • Far facet
• Adaptive cruise management with cease/go
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Driver consideration monitoring
• Hill descent management
• Lane departure warning
• Lane-keep help
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Reversing digital camera
• Site visitors jam help
• Site visitors signal recognition
• Mistaken-pedal acceleration mitigation

D-Max X-Rider provides rear parking sensors, the LS-U provides tyre strain monitoring, and the X-Terrain will get entrance parking sensors.

To see how the Isuzu D-Max stacks up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability software

How a lot does the Isuzu D-Max price to run?

Isuzu Ute Australia backs its vary with a six-year, 150,000km guarantee. Servicing for the D-Max is required each 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.

As for rivals, service costs fluctuate broadly. Ford covers 5 years of Ranger upkeep with an upfront service plan that prices $1596, whereas 5 years of HiLux servicing (with solely six-month intervals) prices significantly extra at $3950.

Mitsubishi, in the meantime, outlines 10 years of capped-price servicing for the Triton, with 5 years totalling $2705, whereas the identical interval for the GWM Cannon 2.4T totals $2555.

For comparability’s sake, we’ll additionally embrace the Mazda BT-50, for which 5 years of servicing will price you $2601 – regardless of sharing the D-Max’s 3.0L engine.

To see how the Isuzu D-Max stacks up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability software

CarExpert’s Tackle the Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain

The D-Max stays a essentially stable ute, however the X-Terrain’s worth could also be sufficient to disqualify it from many want lists.

The premium-positioned model of the in any other case hardy D-Max appears to decrease the sturdy character for which Isuzu’s ute is finest identified. It is good to have issues like leather-based upholstery and a powered tonneau cowl, however they actually do not scream ‘work-ready’.

However for the value, we might really need extra. The important thing downside for this $73,000 ute (which might usually price almost $80,000 on the street, however continues to be supplied for $70,685 drive-away) is the Ranger Wildtrak V6, which prices barely extra however presents far larger worth.

It is higher geared up with extra trendy tech together with a wi-fi cellphone charger as commonplace, and presents a smoother trip, higher dealing with and extra refinement. Plus it delivers significantly extra efficiency as a result of its beefier engine.

Should you’re a ute purchaser at this extra lifestyle-focused finish of the dual-cab section, the selection is a no brainer.

CarExpert can prevent 1000’s on a brand new Isuzu D-Max. Click on right here to get a terrific deal.

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MORE: Discover the Isuzu D-Max showroom