Australians love SUVs and utes.

Together they account for nearly 80% of domestic new vehicle sales.

However, the big battle for overall market dominance continues to be slugged out by utes, two of them specifically – the latest Ford Ranger and its previously top-selling rival, the Toyota Hilux.

While these two heavyweights vie for monthly sales honours, there’s a raft of rivals sitting just below them, including Isuzu’s D-Max, the third-generation version of which launched here in 2020 and quickly established itself as a regular in the nation’s top 10 best sellers.  

In such a fiercely contested segment to snooze is to lose, so Isuzu has recently given the D-Max an MY23 refresh to help maintain, and perhaps even improve on, its overall sales performance.

The update brings mild styling changes including a new grille design, new wheels, fresh trim and paint finishes and updates to functionality.

Buyers also have greater choice with an expanded range that sees the 1.9-litre turbo-diesel RZ4E engine available in a wider range of body styles in the SX grade, where previously it was restricted to the SX single cab-chassis 2WD only. There’s now a total of four models fitted with the smaller engine.

Meanwhile, the 3.0-litre powerplant remains available across all models and body styles.

Isuzu has bucked the trend of rising new vehicle prices with this update and kept RRP’s for the updated D-Max the same as the MY22 range.

For anyone with an eye on the bottom line, new models sporting the more fuel-efficient, smaller-capacity engine offer a budget-friendly alternative that’s $2,000 cheaper than the 3.0-litre equivalent.

There are now a staggering 27 variants in the D-Max fleet once all engine, transmission, body and specifications are accounted for – which makes this one of the broadest ranges in the local one-tonne ute segment.

Recommended retail prices for the 4x2 range start at $32,200 (SX Single-Cab Chassis, 1.9-litre turbo-diesel, manual) and top out at $53,000 (LS-U Crew-Cab Ute, 3.0-litre turbo-diesel, auto).

Four-wheel-drive Cab Chassis models are exclusively powered by the 3.0-litre engine with prices starting at $42,200 (SX Single Chassis, 3.0-litre manual) and rising to $59,500 (LS-U Crew Cab Chassis, 3.0-litre auto).

Prices for the 4x4 Styleside Ute kick off at $50,200 for the new SX Crew Cab 1.9-litre auto, while the range-topping X-Terrain Crew Cab 3.0-litre with auto transmission commands a hefty $67,500.

Drive-away pricing remains at a reasonable $31,990 for the entry-level, tool-of-trade 4x2 SX Single-Cab Chassis with 1.9-litre engine, manual gearbox and economy alloy tray. At the other end of the spectrum, the flagship X-Terrain can be driven off the lot for $64,990.

Exterior enhancements with this update include a new grille design finished in two-tone black on SX, two-tone black and grey on the LS-M, two-tone grey and chrome on the LS-U and LS-U+, and two-tone dark grey on the X-Terrain.

In keeping with current trends, the rear LED combination lamps also carry dark grey metallic trims, rather than chrome.

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The dark grey metallic theme continues on the X-Terrain’s side steps, mirrors, door and tailgate handles, roof rails, sports bar and fender flares, and together give it the sporty look and attitude that many buyers crave in this category these days.

New alloy wheel designs also grace the MY23 range.

In the case of X-Terrain that means it wears the new 18-inch machined alloy wheel design now used on LS-U and LS-U+, enhanced with dark grey metallic trim and, like the LS-U and LS-U+, also shod with Bridgestone Dueller 265/60 R18 H/T rubber.

These three models also now feature a tyre pressure monitoring system allowing the driver to keep a watchful eye on pressures to help maximise traction, safety, and tyre life.

Isuzu’s designers have spruced up the interior with a revised selection of seat trims including high-grade cloth on LS-M and LS-U, and leather-accented upholstery on LS-U+ and X-Terrain.

The X-Terrain also sports red stitch detail (instead of black on LS-U+) on its new trims.

Charging of mobile devices and tablets is enhanced in SX Crew Cab and Crew Cab Chassis with an additional 2.1-amp USB port in the second row, matching the offering in other Crew Cab grades.

Functionality improvements across the range include fitment of tailgate assist, a gas-strut system that allows easy one-hand opening and closing of the tailgate.

Isuzu’s engineers have also simplified the towing setup process by automatically disabling blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert when a trailer is hitched and detected via the genuine trailer wiring harness.

This is in addition to the previously added lane support system switch that allows drivers to easily de-activate the lane-keeping system with the simple push of a button.

The third-generation D-Max made headlines at its launch in 2020 by introducing one of the most comprehensive suites of safety and driver assistance features ever seen in this category and it remains a very well-equipped model and competitive vehicle in this regard.  

The top-spec X-Terrain is equipped with eight airbags, including a centre front airbag (to prevent contact between front seat occupants in a side impact), AEB with turn assist, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control with stop/go functionality, traffic sign recognition, lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, emergency lane keeping, driver attention alert, mis-acceleration mitigation (auto models), post-collision braking, intelligent speed limiter, front and rear park sensors and reversing camera. Bi-LED headlights with auto high beam and auto levelling are also fitted.

Additional standard equipment on the range leader over and above the LS-U+ includes front park sensors, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear knob, blacked-out instrument cluster with X-Terrain insignia, bespoke X badging on the tailgate and instrument cluster, illuminated vanity mirror, remote engine start with embedded security measures, matt black roller tonneau cover and an aero sports bar.

With this generation, Isuzu made significant mechanical updates to the previous model’s proven 4JJ1 engine, dubbing the new unit the 4JJ3-TCX and endowing it with outputs of 140kW (+10kW) and 450Nm (+20Nm), the latter  spread between 1,600 and 2,600rpm.

There are no changes with this upgrade but it could be argued none were needed, since with 400Nm available right through to 3,250rpm the engine feels torquey and responsive in the low and mid-range.

It’s also noticeably quieter and more refined than the previous iteration, while the six-speed auto delivers faster and smoother shifts.

With well-weighted steering, capable handling and civilised ride comfort by ute standards, the D-Max also offers agreeable manners both around town and on the open road.

Despite this, the D-Max is still a strong performer off-road, thanks to its dual-range transfer case, standard rear diff lock and hill descent control system.

Wading depth, approach and departure angles and ground clearance were all improved with the release of the new model in 2020, ensuring the D-Max competes with the best in class in the rough stuff.

Out on the road, we found that despite its roller-shuttered tray our test vehicle still exhibited a solid film of dust inside the tub after a stint on dirt roads and tracks, so don’t stow anything there that can’t handle a bit of grit.

The roller tonneau retracts into a mount located at the front of the tray, which robs a bit of load space as well, but there’s undeniable appeal in being able to lock up the tray area.

X-Terrain buyers must also make do with two load tie-down points at the rear of the tray instead of the two front and two rear found in other versions.

Comfortable seats, the inclusion of steering tilt and reach adjustment, decent oddments stowage and a higher quality finish and more contemporary look to the interior help ensure buyer appeal across the D-Max range.

Meanwhile, its 3,500kg maximum towing capacity and standard trailer sway control will find favour with the more than 50% of buyers who use their D-Max for towing duties.

Isuzu also back the D-Max with a better-than-class average six-year/150,000km warranty and seven years capped price servicing, with average costs for each of the first seven services of $480 for the 1.9-litre and $527 for the 3.0-litre models.

Key stats

• MLP: $67,500
• ENGINE: 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder
• ANCAP CRASH RATING: Five stars (2019)
• FUEL CONSUMPTION (combined cycle, litres/100km)_:  8.0 (207g/km CO₂)
• FOR: Stylish and useful upgrades to an already solid offering, no price rises accompanying update, increased model choice, capable on and off road, safety rating and features.
• AGAINST: Loss of tray space and tie-down points in X-Terrain, possible new vehicle delivery delays.

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