Obzor Isuzu D-Max 2021: X-Terrain

The 2021 Isuzu D-Max is not only an all-new D-Max, but also the first time the brand has offered this particular variant anywhere in the world. This is the new Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain, the flagship model aimed straight at the Ford Ranger Wildtrak.

But this is for less money and with better equipment. Is this the new king of high quality double cabs? 

We put it to the test first and foremost as a way of life, because that's the sort of buyer that the variety should be attracted to, to see what it's like to live with it.

Isuzu D-Max 2021: X-Terrain (4X4)
Safety Rating
engine's type	3.0 L turbo
fuel type	Diesel
Fuel efficiency	8l / 100km
Landing	5 Places
Price from	$51,400

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 9/10

You might think that the $62,900 price tag for the D-Max is way too high. We'll get it. It's quite expensive considering the old model LS-T cost $54,800. 

But these are MSRP/RRP prices, not the deals we know Isuzu will and are already doing with the X-Terrain double cab. In fact, at launch, the company is selling the new flagship variant for $59,990. It's actually a ten piece discount straight from the showroom!

And it undermines current (at the time of writing) deals for the Toyota HiLux SR5 car (about $65,400) and the Ford Ranger Wildtrak 3.2L car (about $65,500). 

You might think that the $62,900 price tag for the D-Max is too high. We'll get it.

No wonder we've received hundreds of Facebook comments from eager customers waiting for their very own X-Terrain to arrive. This is a long-awaited model of the brand.

And for your sixty thousand (give or take) you get quite a lot of equipment. Remember, it's a double cab, all-wheel drive, automatic version - there's no manual model and no 2WD X-Terrain version because, well, no one is going to buy it. 

We can't consider the X-Terrain without taking into account all the design changes that have been made, but suffice it to say that it looks more like a Wildtrak than an LS-U underneath. We'll delve into the visual changes below, but in terms of stock equipment, there's plenty of them.

For your sixty grand (give or take) you get quite a lot of equipment.

The X-Terrain comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, power seat adjustment with power lumbar adjustment for the driver's seat, carpeting, a 9.0-inch multimedia screen with sat-nav and an eight-speaker stereo, and leather-wrapped steering. wheel.

The X-Terrain also gets keyless entry, push-button start, leather-trimmed seats, and smart extras like side steps, a tub liner, and a roll-on hard tub cover. 

The top-of-the-line D-Max lacks the auto-dimming rear-view mirror (which comes standard on many other models in lower grades), and there is no heated or cooled seats, heated steering wheel, or power passenger seat. correction. 

A 9.0-inch multimedia screen is standard on the D-Max.

If you're buying an X-Terrain but want to add more accessories to make it stand out, Isuzu Ute Australia has over 50 options. Additional options include: rollbar and pusher options designed to work with tech safety systems (detailed below), roof rack, roof box, canopy, headlight guard, hood guard, snorkel and floor mats. 

The X-Terrain gets a model-specific color choice of Volcanic Amber metallic, which adds $500 to the price. Other options include marble white pearl, magnetic red mica, mineral white, cobalt blue mica (as shown here), basalt black mica, silver mercury metallic, and obsidian gray mica.

Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10

If you were to tell me that Isuzu spoke to their design team and commissioned them to "make their own Wildtrak", I wouldn't be surprised. It's a very similar formula, and it's been a winner for Ford - so why not?

Unsurprisingly, additional sporty accessories are installed, including a host of dark gray trims such as 18-inch wheels, an aerodynamic sports roll bar, side steps, a grille, door handles and tailgate handles, side mirror covers, and a front spoiler and rear spoiler. (bottom trim). Practical design elements include a roller boot lid and roof rail lining, as well as roof rails.

And whatever you say about the fact that it looks very distinctly like an Isuzu, I think the brand has done a great job on the black page by completely rethinking their model. Yes, it's different in many ways - shorter nose to tail but with a longer wheelbase, and we're going to dive into some sizing data below. 

Practical design elements include a barrel lid on rollers and a rail bath liner.

Here is a table with all the measurement information you need.

Length	5280mm
wheelbase	3125mm
Width	1880mm
Height	1810mm
Load floor length	1570mm
Load width/width between wheel arches	1530mm / 1122mm
Load depth	490mm

As with most double cabs in this segment (except the VW Amarok), an Australian pallet (1165mm by 1165mm) cannot be placed between the arches. 

So now let's take a look at some of the important aspects of weight and capacity, because ute isn't very good if it can't do what it was designed to do.

Load	970kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVM)	3100kg
Gross Train Mass (GCM)	5950kg
towing capacity	750 kg without brakes / 3500 kg with brakes
Towing Ball Loading Limit	350 kg (with Isuzu towing kit)

As with most double cabs in this segment, no Australian pallet can be placed between the arches. 

Right, but what about off-road considerations?

Well, despite the name X-Terrain, we didn't intend to do off-road reviews in this review. At least not this time. Instead, you'll have to check out our LS-U adventure review, or our comparison test where we compared the LS-U to the new HiLux.

Anyway, here are some things you might be interested to know about the X-Terrain 4×4:

ground clearance mm	240mm
Approach angle	30.5 degrees
Get over/tilt a corner	23.8 degrees
Departure Angle	24.2 degrees
Depth of ship	800mm

Sorry for the digital overload. Next, let's take a look inside the cabin.

How practical is the interior space? 8/10

You feel that you are sitting in a top-end configuration. It is important.

In fact, this is where the last D-Max fell short. Compared to its rivals, the cockpit just wasn't special. In fact, it was relatively obnoxious, raw, and not a bit different from what the new generation model offers.

Now, however, you're sitting in X-Terrain leather seats, picking up a beautiful leather steering wheel and looking back at new technologies, new materials and a new level of perceived quality from the brand that hasn't been there before. seen before. 

You feel that you are sitting in a top-end configuration. It is important.

The X-Terrain (and LS-U below) have a 9.0-inch multimedia screen, the largest in the segment, with wireless Apple CarPlay (another first segment) and Android Auto with USB connectivity. There's GPS navigation if you don't want to use your phone for sat-nav, and it has an eight-speaker sound system with small surround units in the ceiling, just like the previous model.

It's great, but the usability of the media system could be better. There are no volume controls or settings, instead they are controlled by buttons. Not good when you are off the road or when you are wearing work gloves. 

But nice touches like the soft plastic trim on the doors and on the dashboard add a nice twist, and there's good practicality to complement that: double glove box, two retractable cup holders on the dash, two cup holders between the seats. , and a decent storage shelf in front of the shifter, as well as a lockable dashboard shelf (which actually works, unlike the old model!).

There is plenty of head, knee and shoulder room in the back.

There are decent door pockets on the front with bottle holders, and the back seat of the X-Terrain also has bottle holders, card pockets, a fold-down armrest with cup holders, and a small storage box next to the rear USB port (there's one in the back, one in the front) .

The front seats are comfortable and the driver gets decent seat and steering wheel adjustment, now with tilt and reach adjustments. There's a pleasing instrument cluster design with a 4.2-inch driver information screen, including a digital speedometer. It can take you hours to get to grips with that little screen's controls, and it handles lane keeping and other safety systems if you're the kind of driver who doesn't want steering in the way.

The directional vents in the rear seat are a bonus for those in the back.

Rear seat comfort is also good, and I (182cm/6ft 0in) have enough room to get into my driver's seat with ease. Head, knee and shoulder room is good, while legroom could be a little better, and you do have a bit of a flat seat base to contend with, so taller passengers might find it a bit knee-up. position. 

The directional rear seat vents are a bonus for those sitting in the back, but don't think you can fit three child seats in the back row - read the safety section for details on child seats.

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 7/10

This is the moment when you might want a little more. 

I mean, an all-new engine and transmission is a big step forward, but the new powertrain under the D-Max hood stays the same no matter what trim you buy. Thus, there is no difference for this flagship model.

Yes, you still get the same 4JJ3-TCX 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine in this class as you get in base trim for half the price.

The new power plant under the hood of the D-Max does not depend on which class you buy.

And compared to the previous model, the power has increased by only 10 kW and 20 Nm, to 140 kW (at 3600 rpm) and 450 Nm (from 1600-2600 rpm).

That's a lot less than the 157kW/500Nm you'll find in the Ranger Wildtrak Bi-Turbo. Or even a HiLux Rogue with 150 kW/500 Nm in automatic mode. 

This trim comes standard with a six-speed automatic transmission with a choice of all-wheel drive (4WD/4×4) in high range (2H and 4H) and low range (4L). 

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How much fuel does it consume? 8/10

The official combined fuel consumption for the X-Terrain 4WD Double Cab is 8.0 liters per 100 kilometers.

On the test, I saw 8.9 l / 100 km, and this figure was taken off the pump. That suits me, given the way I drove the car.

The fuel tank capacity for the X-Terrain (and all D-Max models) is 76 liters, and no long-distance fuel tank is provided.

The new generation D-Max meets the Euro 5 emission standard with an official CO207 emission of 2 g/km. And while there is a diesel particulate filter (DPF, which Isuzu calls a diesel particulate diffuser or DPD), it does not use Adblue urea treatment - which is why it does not meet the Euro 6 specification and does not have an engine start function. or stop.

Perhaps you were hoping for a more advanced powertrain for the top-of-the-line X-Terrain - maybe a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or electric? — but the brand says there's not much to talk about on the electrification front just yet. 

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 10/10

Updated 17/09/2020: The Isuzu D-Max received the first five-star ANCAP crash test rating for a commercial vehicle under the stringent new 2020 crash test criteria. This is a huge plus for clients. 

This usually leads us to err on the side of caution when it comes to a full 10/10 score for safety tech, but the D-Max is the benchmark for advanced driver assistance technology and it has what it takes. get the maximum five-star rating. 

Every version of the D-Max has automatic high beams as well as automatic headlights.

The X-Terrain comes with a reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, automatic emergency braking (AEB) that works at speeds above 10 km/h, and has incorrect acceleration control to prevent speed bumps at lower speeds. Add to this the detection of pedestrians and cyclists at any speed, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, active lane keeping assistance (from 60 km/h to 130 km/h), a turn assist system that can interfere you turn in front of oncoming traffic. (operating at speeds between 5 and 18 km/h), blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and adaptive cruise control, and your checklist is probably more than complete.

But this class and every version of the D-Max also have automatic high beams, as well as automatic headlights, automatic wipers, speed sign recognition and warning, driver fatigue detection, and eight airbags, including a front center airbag. protect front seat occupants in the event of a side impact (in addition to driver knee, dual front, front side and full-length curtain airbags).

As with most double cabs, you'll find a pair of ISOFIX child seat anchor points and two top cable loops to route belts to the center child seat anchorage.

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

6 years / 150,000 km


guarantee

ANCAP Safety Rating

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 9/10

Isuzu Ute Australia has a strong reputation for providing a six-year, 150,000 km warranty on its products - one of the best in its class. 

Isuzu also offers a fixed-price seven-year service plan, with service intervals set every 12 months or 15,000 miles, whichever comes first. Maintenance costs are decent, with the average cost of a maintenance visit over seven years / 105,000 km being $481.85.

Isuzu Ute Australia has a solid reputation.

Want a rundown of the cost of an interval? We did it!: 15,000 km - $389; 30,000 409 km - $45,000; 609 km - 60,000 dollars; 509 75,000 km - $ 299; 90,000 km - $749; 105,000 km - $ 409; XNUMX XNUMX km - $ XNUMX. 

Owners also receive free roadside assistance for seven years.

What is it like to drive? 8/10

I mentioned in the engine section that you might want more for your money at this end of the price scale, and I stand by it, but it's not a bad engine at all. Indeed, not bad.

Like, it's not fast or too urgent. If you want a more powerful engine, you could probably check out the Ford Ranger 2.0-litre biturbo, which is a more advanced powerplant.

But the point is that the D-Max mill does nothing wrong. Sure, it's a bit noisier than you'd like, but it pulls honestly from a stop, revs linearly, and never feels weak on a grunt. 

The biggest surprise for me was the D-Max steering.

Indeed, a lot depends on how the new six-speed automatic works. It's quicker shifting, more willing to be in the right gear to keep the engine at its sweet spot of torque. It's more active than the previous model's lazy old automatic, but there's nothing wrong with that - considering it provides better gear response and easier overtaking, it's a win in my book. 

But the biggest surprise for me was the D-Max steering. This is very good. Like, almost the Ford Ranger is good - in that it doesn't need hands like PopEye to park, it's easy to keep in its lane at any speed, and you actually feel involved in driving if the road is fun. 

The power steering is much more comfortable for the driver than the previous model, and although the turning circle is still 12.5 meters, it is easy to maneuver in most situations.

At first glance, the D-Max mill does nothing wrong.

The suspension has also been greatly improved. With independent front suspension and leaf springs at the rear, and nearly a tonne of payload with a maximum towing capacity of three and a half tons, it's pretty darn impressive how the suspension handles bumps and bumps.

You can tell it's still ute, sometimes with noticeable rear end skitter, but while we haven't tested the X-Terrain under load, it might be better to load up a week's worth of camping gear than half a ton of sand. , since that's probably what most buyers will use it for.

Want an off-road review? Check out the Crafty D-Max LS-U off-road test.

Verdict

Price the HiLux SR5 on Toyota's site and you'll be greeted with a $65K deal (at the time of writing). Do the same on Ford's website and it's $65,490 for the $3.2 road version of the Ranger Wildtrak.

So if you're just looking at the price, the $58,990 Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain promotional price on the road makes it look like a comparison deal. And, to be honest, it really is.

But more than that, it's also an attractive and complete offering, with outstanding safety and a level of sophistication approaching the Ranger without completely eclipsing it in driving dynamics.

Does it matter? You tell us! Let us know what you think in the comments section below. But I called the X-Terrain variant potentially the best option in the all-new 2021 D-Max line, and after spending more time with it, it certainly looks better.