Tow Test: Isuzu D-Max

The Isuzu D-Max has established itself in the Australian market as a worthy successor to the Rodeo, despite fierce competition from the mechanically identical Holden Colorado.

To find out how good the Thai-built ute really is, we recently took three D-Max Isuzus for a 10,000km outback jaunt as part of an extensive camper trailer adventure.

Our test trio consisted of two crew cabs, both towing camper trailers and an extended-cab model, with a slide-on camper on its tray.

One crew cab had standard suspension; the other had aftermarket suspension by Carrols Springs and the extended-cab ute had a stock front end and Lovells heavy-duty rear springs.

The test route started in Birdsville, at the annual Races; traversed the Simpson Desert’s largest dunes as far as Poeppel Corner; up the remote Hay River Track to the Plenty Highway; along the Binns Track to Alice Springs, then north on the Binns to Tennant Creek; into Litchfield National Park via the southern creek crossings; into the 4WD tracks in Kakadu; and then down the Savannah Way to Cape Crawford.

All Australian-market Isuzu D-Max single cab and crew cabs are powered by Isuzu’s 3.0-litre, turbo-intercooled, common-rail-injected diesel four. Claimed outputs are 120kW at 3600rpm, with peak torque of 360Nm at 1800rpm (five-speed manual transmission models) and 333Nm at 1600rpm (four-speed automatics).

The torque cut-back in the case of automatic models is made up to some extent by a higher mechanical ratio final drive.

Our check routine involved dipping the oil and tapping bulldust out of the air cleaners every few days and we had no mechanical issues with any of the vehicles.

Fuel consumption in the automatic-transmission version, pulling a Cub Brumby Camper, averaged 11.3L/100km – identical to the extended-cab, manual-transmission model with a Carry Me Camper module on its back.

The manual crew cab model, hauling a GT Camper Trailer recorded 10.5L/100km overall.

These fuel figures are outstanding and better than those of any ute we’ve tested in similar on- and off-road conditions.

Fuel capacity is a marginal 76 litres, but there’s ample space for an aftermarket LongRanger 130-litre tank under the bodywork.

The old Rodeo chassis and suspension design is carried-over: ladder-frame chassis with torsion-bar front suspension and leaves at the rear.

Unlike other mid-sized utes the D-Max and Colorado have their rear axles mounted above the leaves and are damped by rear-mounted shock absorbers. Competitor utes have their rear axles mounted underneath the axles, with bias-mounted, fore and aft location shock absorbers.

The D-Max standard suspension coped very well, but aftermarket changes were judged worthwhile, to improve ground clearance and also ride and handling in these loaded, demanding conditions.

The D-Max dashboard push button control for shifting from two-wheel-drive to 4WD worked instantly when required. Four wheel drive engagement happened under full power, which was handy on some slippery track sections and disengagement was also rapid, after a slight lift of the accelerator pedal.

The Isuzu D-Max trio performed flawlessly on this demanding trek, making it one of the most enjoyable Outback jaunts we’ve ever done.

ISUZU D-MAX

Vehicle type: crew cab, space cab ute
Engine: 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel
Transmission: five-speed manual, auto
Power/torque: 120kW at 3600rpm/360Nm at 1800-2800rpm (manual)
Price: from $38,600