2018 Isuzu D-Max LS-T review: Off-road prowess tested!

The platform the Isuzu D-Max sits on was first launched over six years ago, so does this hard-working ute still have the core elements of a work-truck-cum-weekend-lifestyle-ute?
FULL STORY: www.caradvice.com.au/693264/2...
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FULL STORY: www.caradvice.com.au/693264/2...

[@IMLYINGISWEAR]

You don't pay the D-max's "eye watering price" for its techy features, you pay that price for the outstanding build quality and reliability. The lack of gizmos is what makes this car great imo.

[@carldavey472]

SLUMLORD , I have one ,and it's certainly not outstanding , it has a variety of issues caused by the cheapo way it does its DPF regeneration. this causes diesel to mix with engine oil, and means you have to drain oil off every few months.

[@stendecstretcher4983]

SLUMLORD I disagree safety first for moronic Australian drivers.

[@nicktaylor7680]

Ranger bt50 Hilux are just as reliable, better off-road ,are more powerful, have 21st century Gizmo's on the top end models - just get the entry level models if you don't want them. You would have to have rocks in your head to buy the DMax.

[@mitchellboyd5256]

@@nicktaylor7680 as a mechanic working on all the modern utes i can confidently say first hand the DMAX from 2013 to now is the MOST reliable option available, BT50/Ranger from 2012 to early 2015 are the most unreliable of the choices, hilux is pretty bulletproof if you do a DPF delete.

[@IISIDESWIPEZII]

@@nicktaylor7680 sorry mate bt50 and ranger are nearly the same Ute. And they're fucking dreadful for engine and gearbox reliability. We've had SOOO many require engine and gearbox rebuilds under factory warranty... Utter garbage. The newest hilux is not as reliable as the 3.0L model before it due to the new dpf set up. I will definitely agree that the interior is poor compared to the other brands. But hey it's simple, not fancy if I beat it up and the price tag gives me plenty of coin to add to features I want. I prefer a barebones set up that is reliable. Then I just add to it.

[@brucekendall52]

Still have my Dec 1998 double cab 280 Isuzu.Starts first time everytime.Thks.

[@johnniehayden9446]

Buy the LSU for $10 k less has all the features, no leather seats or climate control but every thing else is there. Absolutely love mine, goes any where, cheap to run, bullet proof, 5 years warranty. Dont necessarilly love the hard plastic armrests etc but reliability and value for money is what counts.

[@JeffJeno1000]

Being a DMax owner, I loved this vid, only thing I’d pick on is you don’t get “7.9L/100km”, it’s actually closer to 8.5 if you baby it, I get a std 9L with the majority of commutes on the freeway at 105km/h. It’s an awesome capable Ute, quiet, comfortable and heaps of torque available always. Load it up and it just pulls.

[@unSTEVOED]

In NZ the D-max is cheeper than the Ranger, Hilux BT50 etc.Which is why I got the 2017 D-Max LS 4WD. (I think they call it the LS-U in Australia) It had way more room in the back seats as well. We could easily fit 4 90kg+ guys in (Front and Back) Pricing in Aussie must be different than NZ

[@jonathanbaru4593]

Traditional hydraulic steering ftw. Meant for the bushes. Ain't no pretty car, all work no nonsense. Love them Isuzu.

[@richardsawtell256]

I work on these vehicles everyday as a isuzu tech and they are very reliable we hardly have any issues with the RT87 or RT85 like everything people have their own opinions and are entitled to one and not everyone will like them but hey being different is what makes the world go around

[@ad351]

Thanks mate,great review. I think I'm about to pull the trigger on one of these. Your not wrong about the price though. Not sure if I should wait for next year's sales and snap up a 2018 plated LS-T for under 50k..

[@JeffJeno1000]

I got a great deal on the 18 model runout sales in April, which are still going. You won’t be disappointed spending your $ with Isuzu.

[@cantiladrianeb.6241]

Just like ISUZU says ready when you are!

[@rjl110919581]

THANK YOU FOR DETAIL AS HARD WORK OUT BEST FOR COST DOLLARS AND SERVICE

[@jerrymyahzcat]

A lot of people seem to say Hill Descent Controls are too fast but as far as I know they can all be adjusted. On my Land Rover you can adjust it with the cruise control buttons from about 1km/h right up to 30km/h. Also dunno why everyone goes on about lockers (rear or otherwise). For insane crazy off-road stuff perhaps but most modern systems don’t need it at all and actually distribute power more effectively than a locker does which forces 50% of axle power to each side when in fact you might need 100% to one side or 80%/20% split which a locker can’t do. Locking your wheels to the same speed often isn’t desirable at all. Lastly it should have coil springs - leaves are for trucks and trailers.

[@wax333]

Just got a 2018 LS Manual 2wd in blue :Love it so far better then my subaru hatchback in almost every way

[@u3962521]

Did you have a Forrester or a legacy?

[@ubernoob103]

Damn expensive? Seen the price of a hilux lately?

[@IISIDESWIPEZII]

I know right. $10,000 more for a base sr5 compared to a fully kitted out LS-U with all the accessories. Lmao

[@previewmusicPh]

Amazing Car!

[@petermarshall7502]

Downhill decent goes too fast? Select a lower gear instead of being in drive. Mine is manual and it will crawl down a hill on road tyres with barely any wheel slip.

[@Senninha1960]

manual mode auto does fine also

[@MH-ls1xi]

When you were going downhill were you in drive with low 4 engaged?

[@tdock86]

Tap the brake brake to slow the HDC, tap the accelerator to put speed on HDC. Too easy, done plenty of VIC High Country driving in my 2017 LS-U and it's a piece of piss. Just have to read the driving manual. . Good vid anyway cheers. Most under rated dual cab going around. Forget Apple Carplay and electric steering...

[@chiefjohnson2642]

@4×4action.....graham which one we rock on our program

[@donkaputjaza]

3 years later we have the X Terrain

[@junaidstudios9634]

This truck is available in my country is Aud $ 4680.89

[@malcolmmathers2690]

I got 2011 dmax 3ltr 180k nowoil changes a few batterys some belts and hoses say no more

[@symoonstar23]

Whts da top speed on roads test can this Isuzu hippo can handler??

[@Suroyfamilia]

Hurry up and get your hands on the 2020 model, it addresses all the issues you have with the current one.

[@markkofi8522]

When approaching a random river how do you know the depth? I'm sure most rivers don't come with current depth. :-D

[@zacpotockyj9269]

U don't won't automatic headlights or auto wipers and diming mirrors , and the reason why people buy dmaxs is because they are reliable and have plenty of low down torque.

[@aulord80]

And sounds like a truck very inferior I think he said

[@DesmondCarroll]

The interior looks like my 2012 Colorado!

[@pauld.b7129]

Isuzu makes most Chevy trucks. The S-10 was made by them. GM and Isuzu at partners and share alot of parts. Thats part of the reason Isuzu left the US market. With GM, Chevy and Isuzu there was too much redundancy. Wish they'd bring the diesel to the US though.

[@II_4_R_Z_II]

I got a dmax ad lol

[@nigelmchugh5541]

Why on earth did Isuzu go back to cart springs, having had a good coil spring and multi-link setup on the Trooper (Jackaroo)? And has the new Dmax got a LSD on the rear diff?

[@shemmac4700]

probably because this is a ute not a wagon

[@JeffJeno1000]

No LSD but you won’t need it, you can go 2wdh to 4wdh on the go.

[@orangejuicepony6881]

Now do the Amarok, show everyone how you can go from 110kmh to a steep rutted hill climb, mud and sand with stopping or pushing a button.

[@ismailtopa3671]

No difflock, so go for lower trims and save your money.

[@sherlock8627]

I wouldn't own anything else. go the mighty DMAX.

[@jaineshwarlal9233]

It is better than all the other competing utes in the segment Trust me it is going to last

[@weirdvideos4370]

It’s not really that expensive compared to the rest isn’t it

[@bilaltahir220]

Amazing car. Go anywhere vehicle.

[@midgetazzy2584]

expensive??? compared to what mate?

[@jeffstryker1454]

Oh shit I just bought a Fortuner crusade for $57k , what’s better this or the Fortuner?

[@colgatetoothpaste2815]

I would say that the fortuner is better if you use it as city drive. But offorad, i definitely recommend isuzu dmax😁

[@MrFijibati]

Its official the Dmax is NO competition ! Likes of Hilux, Ranger, Amarok and Colorado are all miles ahead of it.. in sales, features and etc.. comparison reviews have confirmed this.

[@b.shafudah8888]

All the competitors you mentioned don't last good engines in terms of performance but they are not durable as Isuzu

[@cantiladrianeb.6241]

@@b.shafudah8888 true isuzu is the real pound for pound king of diesel engines tough as nails.

[@messa1199]

?/kilometres/ liter

[@messa1199]

Gg

[@mikecurrie4914]

my 2015 LS-U auto has 85000km and still gets just over 13km/l

[@ottoswinebar]

Nice segue “Constantly the top 5 selling utes” yet in your own testing you guys rated it 7th out of 8 of the utes tested.

[@Drivecomau]

Yep - shows people don’t always buy the best ute. HiLux is a great example.

[@PRINCEDOG]

That traction control system is useless

[@dekaOsiris]

It's actually pretty decent when used in appropriate scenario's. Graham Cahill on 4WD Action always mentions how good it can be. Should go and check out some of their videos on KZbin..

[@PRINCEDOG]

dekaOsiris yeah mate I’ve seen graham use a DMax for years on 4wd action and of course he is going to talk it up because he is given the car to use as a driven advertisement for Isuzu. The traction control system may eventually get the vehicle through some obstacles but it is well behind the market leaders

[@dekaOsiris]

@@PRINCEDOG Ah fair enough you are probably right. Makes it bloody confusing on what 4X4 to purchase when you hear all these claims >.

[@zacpotockyj9269]

Yeah mate I've got a dmax and when ur off road the traction control is useless and really doesn't help at all

[@brokenlimitsnjm]

Vw is 5 years warranty has been for over a month now.

[@Drivecomau]

We filmed this before the announcement. And Volkswagen’s warranty is only until the end of 2018 at this stage.

[@Lcr34]

Pushes it to the limit, uses street tyres .

[@Drivecomau]

We review stock cars, bud.

[@terminator4060]

Hı

[@Memality]

lol just get a Ranger

[@freightliner_86]

why?

[@sauberbeast]

Ranger reliability sucks the big one,no thanks

[@Farmhand444]

It’s the best that’s why All other trucks are trying to be suvs and failing Ford are old looking and Vw are expensive and cheap inside and shit off road Mitsubishi engine fail and are poor fuel

[@meekacumen]

the price...... is a joke this is an excellent ute- 10 years ago

[@Abu7929]

This doesn't stack up at all. OK at 40k odd, way out of the league of an SR5, some balls asking the same price

[@sauberbeast]

Lots of crappy gimmicks on the lux, eg wait till your rev controller fails and red lines it to death ;)

[@dan57ltr]

SR5 Hilux is over $50k.

[@saml951]

fell asleep. ffs better go review knitting wool

[@ASCarvings]

Mitsubishi L200 for me. Sorry

[@stendecstretcher4983]

Don’t buy a brand new 10 year old car.

[@CustomcrowdMitroc]

This guy has no clue what he's talking about

[@wadeecup]

god I get mad when I see what Isuzu sent to Australia, or the piss poor Isuzu people in Australia need their ass kicked right back up the rear end, they say look at the ls-t $59,000, why it is nothing but the lowest class of this vehicle make in Thailand you might as well have a Belmont holden ute with 4+4 now before you cry ,try looking at Isuzu Thailand and see what is actually available top of the range Z prestige version is about 28,000 on the road with all the special accessories, get on to Isuzu Australia and start complaining about the selection of vehicles available.

[@stendecstretcher4983]

My TORO mower has more safety features than this shitbox don’t waste your money.