LDV T60 2018 review
Content
- Is there anything interesting about its design? 7/10
- How practical is the interior space? 7/10
- Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 8/10
- What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 6/10
- How much fuel does it consume? 7/10
- What is it like to drive? 7/10
- What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 8/10
- How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 8/10
- Verdict
- Would you consider buying a Chinese-made ute? Tell us what you think in the comments below.
A lot goes on the LDV T60. The ute double cab range is leading a new generation of more advanced and better equipped Chinese ute and (very soon) SUVs aiming to carve out a share of the lucrative Australian work and pleasure market.
It is the first Chinese commercial vehicle to receive a five-star ANCAP rating, it is well priced and comes with standard features and safety technology across the range, but it's actually enough to make it an attractive proposition in the eyes of buyers. ? And to overcome the public's wariness towards cars from China? Read more.
| LDV T60 2018: PRO (4X4) | |
|---|---|
| Safety Rating | |
| engine's type | 2.8 L turbo |
| fuel type | Diesel |
| Fuel efficiency | 9.6l / 100km |
| Landing | 5 Places |
| Price from | $21,200 |
Is there anything interesting about its design? 7/10
From the outside, the LDV T60 doesn't feel uncomfortable - part chunky, part SUV style - but there's nothing startlingly special about it either. It has scalloped sides like the Amarok, a sporty stretchy hood like the HiLux, and everything in between.
I like that it's not pretentious, like its designers had a beer in a pub, jokingly scribbled their ideas on a coaster, and then decided they were actually pretty good, so those recommendations stuck.
The LDV T60 isn't all that unpleasant to look at, but there's nothing startlingly special about it.
The interior is all about clean lines and large surfaces, especially all the plastic in the Pro, which is a good thing as this tradition-driven model has a casual feel to it.
The cabin is dominated by a huge instrument panel and a 10.0-inch touchscreen entertainment unit.
The cabin is dominated by a 10.0-inch touchscreen.
How practical is the interior space? 7/10
The cabin is neat and spacious, with ample storage space for the driver and front seat passenger; a lidded center console bin, large door pockets, a dash-level cup holder for the driver and front passenger (although our included water bottles fit with only a little twisting and effort), and a trinket tray filled with two USB ports and a 12V outlet.
Those in the back have door pockets, a center armrest with two cup holders, and a 12V outlet.
Rear passengers get door pockets, a center armrest with two cup holders, and a 12V outlet.
The front seats are comfortable enough but lack support, especially on the sides; the rear seats are flat and high quality.
The interior fit and finish is a big improvement over what Chinese cars used to be, and these positive build qualities could go a long way to helping convince Australian car buyers that the LDV T60 is a worthwhile purchase - or, as at least worth considering.
The 10-inch touchscreen is crisp, tidy and easy to use, although it's prone to glare. I saw one colleague struggle to get his Android phone to work through his Luxe. (I didn't even try to connect my iPhone, I'm such a dinosaur.)
The LDV T60 is 5365mm long, 2145mm wide, 1852mm high (Pro) and 1887mm high (Luxe). The curb weight is 1950 kg (Pro with manual transmission), 1980 kg (Pro auto), 1995 kg (Luxe with manual transmission) and 2060 kg (Luxe with automatic transmission).
The pallet has a length of 1525 mm and a width of 1510 mm (1131 mm between the wheel arches). It has a plastic tub liner and four attachment points (one in each corner) and two "tub edge attachment points" that seem like a bit of a flimsy afterthought. Loading height (from tray floor to ground) is 819 mm.
The pallet has a length of 1525 mm and a width of 1510 mm (1131 mm between the wheel arches).
The TDV T60 can tow 3000 kg with brakes (750 kg without brakes); many rivals have overcome the mark of 3500 kg. Its payload ranges from 815kg (Luxe auto) to 1025kg (Pro manual). Towing ball loading 300 kg.
Another feature we should mention is that the two Pro Pros we tested had a notch to say "Jesus!" from the driver's side. pen, but not a real pen. Strange.
Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 8/10
In an age when every new car seems to offer a dizzying array of trim levels and trims, the LDV T60 lineup is refreshingly small and simple.
The five-seat diesel-only LDV T60 is available in one body style, a double cab, and in two trim levels: Pro, designed for the traditionalist, and Luxe, designed for the dual-use or family-friendly market. The lineup is currently limited to double cab models, but at the launch, LDV Automotive Australia teased the arrival of single cab and extra cab models in 2018.
Only the diesel five-seater LDV T60 is available with a double cab. (2018 Luxe LDV T60 Luxe shown)
Four options: Pro Manual Mode, Pro Auto Mode, Luxe Manual Mode, and Luxe Auto Mode. All of them are equipped with a 2.8-liter common-rail turbodiesel engine.
The base manual T60 Pro costs $30,516 (by car); The automatic Pro is $32,621 (drive off), the manual Luxe is $34,726 (drive off), and the automatic Luxe is $36,831 (drive off). ABN owners will pay $28,99030,990 (for Pro manual), $32,990K (Pro auto), Luxe manual ($34,990K) and Luxe automatic ($XNUMXK).
Standard ute features on the Pro version include cloth seats, a 10.0-inch color touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, auto-height headlights, high- and low-range all-wheel drive, 4-inch alloy wheels with a full-size spare, side steps, and roof rails.
The T60 Pro comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels.
Safety gear includes six airbags, two ISOFIX child seat attachment points in the rear seat, and a host of passive and active safety technologies including ABS, EBA, ESC, a rearview camera and rear parking sensors, "Hill Descent Control", " Hill Start Assist" and a tire pressure monitoring system.
In addition, the top-of-the-line Luxe gets leather seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated six-way power front seats, automatic climate control and a Smart Key system with Start/Stop button, and an automatic locking rear differential. as standard.
The Pro has a headboard with multiple bars to protect the rear window; the Luxe has a polished chrome sports steering wheel. Both models have roof rails as standard.
LDV Automotive has released a range of accessories including rubber floor mats, polished alloy rails, hitch, ladder rack, matching sun visors, cargo area covers and more. Bullbars for ute are under development.
What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 6/10
As mentioned above, all 2018 LDV T60 models are equipped with a 2.8-liter common rail turbodiesel engine producing [email protected] and [email protected] with a choice of manual or automatic transmission - both six-speed.
How much fuel does it consume? 7/10
The LDV T60 has a claimed fuel consumption of 8.8 l/100 km for manual control; and 9.6 l / 100 km for a car. Fuel tank 75 liters. By the end of the trip, we saw 9.6 l/100 km on the information display.
What is it like to drive? 7/10
We drove over 200km around Bathurst in some LDV T60s, most of them in Pro auto and most of the driving program was on bitumen. A few things became apparent quite early on, and some quirks also appeared later.
VM Motori's 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel never seemed to run into trouble - on pavement or in the bush - but it felt too relaxed as it was slow to respond and start, especially when pushed up long, steep hills. .
However, the bonus of this underload motor is that it is very quiet - we turned the radio off and the NVH levels associated with the motor were impressive. There was not even a gust of wind from the large side mirrors.
The six-speed Aisin automatic transmission is smooth - no harsh upshifts or downshifts - but there's no noticeable difference in handling between modes; Normal or Sport.
Ride and handling are adequate, if not impressive, although it took corners well - the steering was very precise for something like this - and the ute held steady through long, tight corners. Our tester was on a 245/65 R17 Dunlop Grandtrek AT20.
Ride and handling are adequate, if not impressive, although everything was fine in the corner.
Double wishbone suspension at the front and heavy-duty leaf springs at the rear - designed for hard work in Pro and Comfort models in Luxe models.
While our hard-built Pro didn't immediately show the rear-end bounces typical of an unloaded ute, we did encounter a few unexpected bumps and bumps early in the drive cycle, and it made the rear end bounce in a short amount of time. but in a rough manner.
As far as quirks go, our overzealous ABS kicked in a few times for seemingly innocuous reasons as we tickled the brakes (discs all around) at low and high speeds on bumps, which was alarming.
Second, a couple of journalists at Lux felt that the blind-spot monitor in their LDV T60 had failed to alert them to the presence of a passing vehicle.
The Pro auto was easier to ride on any off-road than the manual Pro.
While the Pro's suspension was too stiff (no doubt to handle heavy loads), the Luxe's suspension tended to sag.
Off-road enthusiasts should pay attention to the following figures: ground clearance - 215 mm, fording depth - 300 mm, exit angles front and rear - 27 and 24.2 degrees, respectively; ramp angle 21.3 degrees.
The off-road launch loops were more scenic than challenging, but when we deliberately veered off course and hit some steep, hilly sections, we had a chance to test the LDV T60's engine braking (good) and hill descent control (good).
The Pro auto was easier to ride on any kind of off-road than the manual Pro, as its light clutch feel and shifter free play didn't inspire confidence.
Underbody protection includes a plastic skid plate at the front.
Warranty and safety rating
Basic Warranty
5 years / 130,000 km
guarantee
ANCAP Safety Rating
What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 8/10
The LDV T60 offers a lot of protective gear at an affordable price. It has a five-star ANCAP rating, six airbags (driver and front passenger, side, full-length curtains), and includes a host of passive and active safety technologies including ABS, EBA, ESC, a rearview camera, and rear parking sensors. , "Hill Descent Control", "Hill Start Assist" and tire pressure monitoring system. It has two ISOFIX points and two top cable points.
How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 8/10
It has a five-year 130,000-130,000 km warranty, a five-year 24-7 km warranty, 10/5000 roadside assistance, and a 15,000-year rust-through body warranty. Service interval XNUMXkm (oil change), then every XNUMXkm. Service at a fixed price is not provided.
Verdict
The LDV T60 is a big step in the right direction for Chinese-made vehicles and has a long way to go to convince Australian buyers that they are finally worthy of consideration. Affordable and feature-packed, this double cab range features a noticeable improvement in build quality, fit and finish, as well as all-round handling. Right now, the Chinese are by no means the main rivals, but at least they are moving in the right direction.
For our money and versatility Luxe auto is the best choice; you get the entire standard package with a few great extras, including an on-demand rear diff lock, chrome door handles and door mirrors, a sport dash and more.
Would you consider buying a Chinese-made ute? Tell us what you think in the comments below.
