2015 Isuzu D-Max X-Runner Review

As perennial as sunrise, dual-cab four-wheel drive utes just keep pouring onto Australian shores and destined for roles as diverse as weekend leisure machines, tow vehicles for interstate caravan holidays, hard yards in mining operations and week-day haulers for a dozen different trades.

Isuzu has been doing this for decades, either under its own name or that of its once bed partner, Holden. Isuzu’s product gets better by increments and is selling well, though harder times may be ahead.

Isuzu D-Max Overview

The X-Runner is one of Isuzu Australia’s evergreen products, appearing each year as a special edition model aimed at re-energising D-Max sales.

The model first appeared in 2009 and has only missed one year (2012), becoming an expected part of the company’s annual sales line up.

For 2015, Mr Harding said only 360 would be made. But he tempered that by remarking that last year more than 600 went on sale after the initial 360 order was quickly sold.

Unlike previous years when the X-Runner was based on the mid-spec ute, the 2015 version uses the upmarket LS-T variant as its donor.

This comes standard with a reverse camera, satellite navigation, rear park assist, automatic climate-control air conditioning and 17-inch alloy wheels.

The  X-Runner adds unique black leather interior, sports bar, tub liner, decals and a front and rear body kit.

It is priced at $51,990 drive away. The LS-T automatic is normally priced at $53,000 plus costs, so there’s a saving and a few extra goodies.

Nothing else changes. The drivetrain remains the same as all the ute and MU-X models – a good move given its reputation for durability and economy.

A full list of specifications can be found here –

The 2015 Isuzu D-Max line-up and pricing:

Variant	Manufacturer's List Price
D-Max X-Runner	$51,990 Drive Away

Isuzu D-Max Engine

No surprises here, with Isuzu’s ubiquitous 130kW/380Nm 3-litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine mated to a five-speed automatic. No manual is offered in this specification.

But the auto will be well suited to city or country life, equipped with features including adaptive grade logic that holds gears for ascents and can select and hold gears for safe descents.

The transfer case is an electric-shift unit with on-the-fly changes from 2WD high to 4WD High. The vehicle must be stationary and neutral engaged before selection into and out of 4WD Low can be achieved.

Traditional ladder frame construction is used with independent front suspension with coils and a live rear axle with leaf springs. Brakes are front discs and rear drums and the steering is by a hydraulic-assist rack and pinion system.

Isuzu claims 8.5L/100km from the diesel engine. On test during a day on Moreton Island the figure was 9.8L/100km – a pleasing effort given the day was spent in 4WD and much of that through boggy beach sand requiring low range and a heavy right foot.

The fuel tank is 76 litres and for greater range, sub tanks are available from after-market suppliers.

Isuzu D-Max Interior

It seems strange that despite aiming at the commercial market, the Isuzu D-Max – and more recently its wagon sister, the MU-X – gets talked about more as a leisure vehicle and especially as a caravan tower.

Grey nomads around Australia rank the D-Max as one of their favourite tow wagons, primarily because it has a decent tow rating of 3500kg but also because it has one of the lowest fuel consumption figures in the business.

That’s strange because inside the D-Max, it’s not especially welcoming and hasn’t an impressive décor of materials.

In fact, to be blunt, it still looks like a tradies’ ute from the hard plastic dash, the simplistic array of switchgear and gauges, the predominately black hue and seats that while comfortable, aren’t stand outs for looks.

But it works. There is a large glovebox, a second glovebox above it for smaller items, a top box, bottle holders in the doors and cupholders in the centre console and a lidded bin between the front seats.

It has child seat restraints in the back and the rear seat is spacious and accepts three adults. This seat can even be removed to further improve secure storage.

The X-Runner inherits the LS-T gear including satellite navigation and climate air conditioning. There’s electric windows and mirrors, Bluetooth and plugs for iPods and memory sticks.

There’s a lot of equipment shared with many passenger cars, sadly most of those cars cost less than half that of the Isuzu.

Isuzu D-Max Exterior and Styling

It’s a ute. Utes are notoriously difficult to redesign because they have specific parameters – four doors (as in a dual cab), long bonnet for easy engine accessibility, a required ground clearance of about 220mm (the D-Max is 235mm) and a ute tray for carrying all manner of materials.

In the Isuzu’s case, the ute does have an element of style. It’s attractive yet purposeful, rugged yet from some angles, almost pretty.

But you don’t buy this because you may think it’s pretty.

The part-time 4WD and the ladder-frame chassis place the floor high and the seats even higher, requiring in many cases a side step.

The need to carry stuff – clean or dirty – means it needs a large area and a tub liner to protect the tray. The X-Runner has this.

Along with its requirements, the ute is undeniably large. At 5.3m in length it dwarfs a lot of other road traffic and can be difficult to fit into city park bays and even suburban shopping centre bays.

It has a wide turning circle and visibility from the driver’s seat is often masked by large pillars – all ingredients that make this an awkward vehicle to manoeuvre.

And yet all manner of people buy them and every shopping centre car park in Australia has its fair share of 4WD utes.

Isuzu D-Max On the Road

The X-Runner was taken to Queensland’s Moreton Island just off Brisbane for a day in the sand and an introduction to Isuzu’s I-Venture Club.

The training day, ostensibly for journalists with limited off-road experience (not this duck), more importantly showcased this beautiful island and the abilities of the D-Max in sandy conditions.

Given that it has all the basic ingredients for 4WD expeditions, it’s no wonder that the X-Runners - and the MU-X wagons that came along – performed faultlessly.

As mentioned, it’s a strong ladder-frame chassis four-door with a lazy turbo-diesel engine and automatic transmission.

The ute is usually driven in rear-wheel drive, converting to 4WD by twisting a console dial. Stop the vehicle, flick the transmission to neutral and you can engage 4WD Low.

The tyres were deflated to 18psi to obtain a fat footprint for the soft beach sand and churned tracks through the island’s centre.

With all this ammunition, the D-Max idles over the sand, climbed small sandy inclines with hardly raising its engine revs, and gently and comfortably soaked tree-root bumps and water-edged whoop-de-doos so effortlessly it made every driver look good.

But it isn’t particularly responsive. The engine is quite dull and the steering is long, so it’s not an agile vehicle.

It’s not alone. The symptoms are typical of the dual-cab range and are there partially for a good reason – the dull feeling absorbs road shock – and mainly because it’s simply not a sophisticated machine.

But it works. It tows up to 3500kg and when it hits the bitumen, is smooth and relatively quiet.

Isuzu D-Max Issues

As a machine designed for long hours behind the wheel, it needs a telescopic steering wheel to ensure good driver comfort.

The price is still expensive for what is basically a design that goes back almost 40 years and isn’t high on refinement. Dual-cab utes are also made in numbers that would embarrass donut makers, so economies of scale dictate that the price could be cheaper.

Just be aware that it’s a ute for workmen. Consider how big it is and how hard it can be to manoeuvre. If that suits, then it’s a durable machine.

Isuzu D-Max Competition

It’s a busy market and, as mentioned above, it will get a whole lot busier in 2015. Here’s some of the rivals on the market now.

Holden Colorado: From $47,990. Great dealer distribution and with a body and platform identical to the Isuzu, you’d think these would be well matched. Not the case. The Holden isn’t as responsive on the road, the gearbox is less comfortable in the rough and coachwork doesn’t appear to be as good as its fellow Thai-built Isuzu.

Ford Ranger: From $44,390. Better. The Ranger looks great (though that changes when the next model arrives) as a stylish yet macho contender. The 3.2-litre diesel engine is a plum but the manual transmission must be the winner of the 2014 and 2015 worst gearbox award.

Mazda BT-50: From $46,890. Mechanically almost identical to the Ranger but with a more car-like interior. Comfort is also better but the Ford may be cheaper to service and repair, Regardless, don’t buy the manual model.

Toyota Hilux: From $40,990. The new one arrives this year so dealers may be trimming prices on this outgoing version. Not as sophisticated as its rivals but still a dependable ute with excellent resale value. Price will be the decider.

Isuzu D-Max Verdict

No, it’s not an SUV. If you want a worker that is utterly reliable, this is it. Just don’t expect this tradie to go soft.

The X-Runner adds appeal and the donor machine, the D-Max, certainly has a good name for fuel efficiency and excellent off-road competency.

It’s not cheap but it’s one of the best in its category.

Would I buy one? Yes.