From the varsity run to hauling gear round, the common-or-garden twin cab ute affords, nicely, utility. After they come loaded with a four-wheel drive setup, they will take you off the crushed monitor, they usually can tow too. The 2024 Isuzu D-MAX X-Terrain is one such car.
It was with that latter objective in thoughts that we hooked the Sunstone Orange Mica ute to our tow topic, the Signature Camper Trailers Rugrat 15-foot hybrid van. We couldn’t assist however discover it matched the decrease bar work on the trailer. It was simply meant to be.
The iridescent shade of the ute is offset by gloss blackouts throughout the large entrance grille and sail airplane over the bathtub. That grille separates self-levelling Bi-LED headlights with DRL’s that sit atop driving lights.
Flat black 18-inch wheels shod in Bridgestone Dueler rubber spherical out what we really feel is an understated however good-looking exterior visible. Ours was fitted with the optionally available tow pack, which consists of professional quality tow bar, together with an digital brake controller.
The latter was a vital addition given the 2-tonne tare weight of the trailer in tow. If you happen to’ve ever towed, hitching up is an in depth second to reversing on the subject of problem and frustration.
We had been grateful for the high-resolution rear digicam (a results of a current facelift), which encompasses a broad sufficient angle to have our Cruisemaster DO35 hitch geared up tongue in view when backing up.
It sits on the tailgate, which when mixed with a lockable guide rolling cowl, retains every thing inside the plastic lined tub dry and secure. With a 184kg tow ball down weight, we had been nicely inside the 350kg restrict. Regardless of this we did see some sag.
There are a large number of things that contribute to this, however with out the suitable scales and measuring gear its arduous to inform precisely what was occurring. In the end it had no extra have an effect on than we had anticipated when towing a trailer of this measurement.
Whenever you’re mowing down the kilometres you want a snug inside area, and the X-Terrain has this nicely lined. 5 occupants can sit in snug leather-based seats with crimson stitching, with ample area for all.
Up entrance there’s heating too, whereas everybody will get entry to USB-C ports to maintain gadgets topped up, when looking the window will get boring. There’s even a USB-A port close to the rear-view mirror, a welcome addition for individuals who prefer to run a dashcam.
The driving force takes maintain of a leather-based lined wheel with a variety of logical buttons for the fundamentals, whereas peering by means of to a 7.0-inch instrument binnacle display. Each wired and wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can be found.
Audio is delivered by means of a system known as “sky sound”, which includes two of its eight audio system into the black material roof. The central 9.0-inch contact display offers a prudent mixture of decision and responsiveness to manage varied car features.
A dial for quantity, which got here as a part of the current replace, is welcomed, as is a variety of smart button-ware down the console, with extra switchgear flanking the gear selector for issues like drive modes and the Terrain Command wheel for choosing 4H and 4L.
Below the bonnet of the D-MAX sits its legendary 3.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine. A favorite in ute drag racing circles, it makes for a stable base, with outputs of 140kW and 450Nm. An Aisin 6-speed computerized convertor field sits behind it.
This present day it’s a bit of archaic in gear depend, however when mixed with the most important capability 4-cylinder diesel engine in its class, it simply works. The ratio unfold is ideal, with the broad torque band of the “large block” (assume 450Nm from 1600rpm).
That interprets right into a assured and unstressed drivetrain. On the freeway it’ll fortunately chug alongside at 100km/h, and even managed a frugal 11.2-litres/100km when towing (9.2-litres unladen).
The ultimate levels of the journey noticed us traversing the Putty Highway, which has a sequence of twisty sections with elevation adjustments often reserved for a sports activities automobile or two-wheel conveyance. Regardless of a mixed mass of simply over 4.0-tonne, it held its personal admirably.
The X-terrain is specified with a “normal” suspension setup, which might really feel a bit of jittery when unladed. This all modified when towing, the place the chassis did an ideal job of conserving issues composed, regardless of the sooner talked about sag.
It was solely right here, on this undulating roadway, the place most our take a look at inclines had been offered, that the driveline made itself heard. On the numerous declines, intuitive and effecting engine braking was appreciated to maintain issues in test.
Security is nicely lined too, even when towing, and we had been grateful for the refined calibrations of options like lane hold help. It heads an extended listing of included tech, and ends in a 5-star ANCAP security ranking.
Within the D-MAX X-Terrain we discovered an ideal companion for touring with a van in tow. It’s now not the finances choice although, with an as-tested drive away worth of $70,490, positioning it inside a stone’s throw of the HiLux and Ranger.
However the mixture of a snug and have packed inside, composed and frugal driveline and planted chassis made for a unbelievable choice for our brief journey. If it’s not already on there, you need to add it to your tow-vehicle purchasing listing.
You will discover out extra on the Isuzu Ute Australia web site, or by speaking to your native dealership. To get a low price finance quote, discuss to Australia’s finest reviewed automobile finance dealer; Credit score One. To see an ideal vary of autos on the market, take a look at OnlyCars.com.au.
Our take a look at car was supplied by Isuzu Ute Australia for unbiased overview functions. Our rankings beneath are based mostly on using the 2024 Isuzu D-MAX X-Terrain as a tow car. A full overview can be out there on this web site.
