Tow Test: Isuzu D-MAX X-Terrain 2024

The 2024 Isuzu D-MAX has been given its first major facelift since arriving here in 2020, and with it some subtle feature changes driven by customer feedback. Does the result mean that the D-MAX is a better tow vehicle?

How much does the Isuzu D-MAX X-Terrain cost?

The 2024 Isuzu D-MAX X-Terrain is the premium model in the range, and this facelift model is $3000 more than before. While the D-MAX X-Terrain officially lists at $70,500 plus on-road costs, Isuzu has continued its four-year run of special on-road pricing for X-Terrain, offering this variant for $67,990 (up from the pre-update $64,990). This leaves the premium variant in the odd position of being cheaper to buy than the next model down, the D-MAX LS-U+, when you consider on-road costs.

The as-tested price was $70,490.92, which includes optional extras. These consist of Tow Bar Tongue $215.05, 12-Pin Plug $393.25, Electronic Brake Controller $896.05, Rubber Mats $215.56 and Premium Paint $695. The accessories fitted at time of sale attract an accessory stamp duty of $86.00.

While D-MAX was once a lower-priced ute in the class, now, not so much. With these extras, the D-MAX is within a stone’s throw of key competition such as the Ford Ranger Wildtrak (from $69,390 plus ORCs) and the Toyota HiLux Rogue ($71,530 plus ORCs).

What equipment comes with the Isuzu D-MAX X-Terrain?

How you can distinguish the 2024 Isuzu D-MAX from earlier models is its refreshed front-end design, comprising a new bonnet, front bumper and new grille in two-tone grey. New headlights feature integrated indicators, LED daytime running lights and 'Welcome' headlights. Air curtains are also incorporated in the fog light area.

Meanwhile, the tail has a new tailgate skin design and new design LED tail-lights, while a new 18-inch alloy wheel design caps off the external features new to the 2024 D-MAX X-Terrain.

The interior has also been given a light refresh, with a new trim motif on the doors, seats and dashboard that Isuzu says is inspired by the Japanese paper-folding art of Muira Origami. Meanwhile, the often-criticised button controls for the centre screen have now been replaced by physical knobs for volume and tuning.

The buttons below the touch-screen for home, phone and other functions have been replaced by touch-sensitive controls.

Rough Terrain Mode (RTM), an electronic off-road traction control aid, is new for MY24 D-MAX, and the updated Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) now displays real-time individual tyre pressures and temperatures via the 9.0-inch infotainment screen.

Key standard features for the D-MAX X-Terrain include side steps, rear bumper, matte-black roller tray cover, aero bar, towbar receiver with wiring, heated power-folding side mirrors, remote engine start, leather seats (heated front, powered for driver) and dual-zone climate control.

The MY24 D-MAX X-Terrain costs $310 less to service over five years or 75,000km, with each 12-month/15,000km service now priced at $449 ($2245 over five years). Warranty coverage is capped at six years or 150,000km, and Isuzu provides up to seven years of roadside assist.

How safe is the Isuzu D-MAX X-Terrain?

The D-MAX was a segment leader for safety when it introduced an across-the-range standard safety suite on introduction in 2020. That included autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with Turn Assist, lane keeping assist (LKA) and eight airbags (with a driver’s knee airbag and a front-centre airbag).

Now the 2024 Isuzu D-MAX X-Terrain update has added improvements to its safety gear, such as individual tyre pressure monitoring, a better-quality digital reversing camera and a new ‘Gen4’ front stereo camera with 120 degrees field of view.

Active cruise control now features stop-and-go functionality; the traffic sign recognition system now works with the active cruise to set vehicle speed according to posted limits, and a new rear cross traffic brake (RCTB) system now offers D-MAX owners the safety of rear AEB.

While this is all good in theory, the front camera-based system needs to ‘see’ the road ahead and can automatically switch off during periods of heavy rain or low sunlight conditions. The D-MAX is not the odd one out here – many newer vehicles have these active safety technology issues or even more egregious ones. But from our experience behind the wheel, it’s clear that Isuzu hasn’t perfected these systems just yet.

The 2024 Isuzu D-MAX maintains the five-star ANCAP safety rating from 2023, itself a replacement for the third-gen model’s original five-star ANCAP rating in 2020.

What technology does the Isuzu D-MAX X-Terrain feature?

The 2024 Isuzu D-MAX has plenty of tech features, and the 2024 model’s infotainment suite has been singled out for particular improvement.

Wireless connectivity now includes not just Apple CarPlay but also Android Auto, and newly incorporated features on the centre screen are off-road angle, tyre pressure monitoring and 4WD selection details. There are two USB-C ports front and rear now, and DAB+ digital (and AM/FM) radio remains. The instrument cluster now houses a new, larger 7.0-inch digital display.

What powers the Isuzu D-MAX X-Terrain?

As before, the 2024 Isuzu D-MAX is powered by a 140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine. It continues with a six-speed auto in X-Terrain as standard, driving a part-time, dual-range 4WD system and locking rear differential.

The 3.0-litre engine isn’t the most refined or quiet diesel out there, and neither is the six-speed auto the last word in sophistication for torque-converter automatics. However, as a driving proposition when unladen, the D-MAX is a strong performer with smooth gearshifts, aside from some initial lag off-idle that you’ll find in most turbo-diesel competitors.

How fuel efficient is the Isuzu D-MAX X-Terrain?

The 2024 Isuzu D-MAX has an official 8.0L/100km combined fuel consumption figure. On test, we achieved 9.2L/100km average (unladen) in a mix of urban and highway driving. Towing a 3100kg caravan, the fuel consumption average was 16.7L/100km. That gives you about 420km fuel range per tank, with a 50km reserve.

What is the Isuzu D-MAX X-Terrain like to tow with?

We went to the guys at RV Connection in St Marys North NSW to borrow a Franklin caravan that weighed about 3000kg as towed.

Using the D-MAX’s rear-view camera to hitch up was no problem, with the tow tongue in view and easy to line up to the coupling with the camera guiding the driver. You’ll find the D-MAX mirrors a good shape and size as a mounting point for clip-on side towing mirrors, if you still use those. No problems there.

There are no towing assist features of the kind seen in the Ranger and Amarok, such as trailer lights check or blind-spot warning incorporating trailer length, let alone trailer reversing assist. Even a 360-degree camera would help, but sadly that’s not on offer either.

The D-MAX lifted just 4mm at the front and the rear dropped barely 8mm, which means that even with approximately 300kg towball download, as tested, the D-MAX would not be lifting the front wheels off the deck anytime soon. One of the problems with some vehicles is that with a heavy towball download they can adopt a nose-up attitude, which is not good for rig stability. More than 30mm difference rear or especially front ride height is a warning sign.

The D-MAX felt more responsive towing at up to 80km/h, making for easy work pulling the van onto the road and getting up to speed. The diesel clatter from the engine is more obvious towing, as it’s working harder to pull the extra weight up to speed.

Once up to freeway speed, the D-MAX settled into fifth gear with the tacho showing about 1800rpm at 100km/h. However, it wasn’t entirely happy staying there. The slightest incline and increased throttle pressure resulted in a downshift to fourth gear. Ultimately, we selected fourth gear in manual mode as the transmission was hunting between fourth and fifth quite a bit.

The hill climb saw a maximum speed of 78km/h at the top of the climb, beginning with a 90km/h start speed at the base of the hill. This is average rather than exceptional for the class, while engine braking on the descent was pretty good given 3000kg was pushing from behind. Starting at 70km/h, speed only crept up to 75km/h, holding third gear in manual mode.

Although ride quality was pretty accomplished with the caravan, stability wasn’t perfect. There was some slight yawing on the highway, particularly in the wash of large vehicles.

How good is the Isuzu D-MAX X-Terrain off-road?

The Isuzu has always proven to be one of the more capable off-roader in its class and nothing has changed there for MY2024. While this is an on-road towing test only, we know from recent off-road testing that the Rough Terrain Mode introduced to D-MAX this year helps low-speed technical offroading traction, while the tyre pressure monitoring system has become more sophisticated, sounding an alert when road driving tyre pressures have been reached, re-inflating after off-roading, for example.

How much can the Isuzu D-MAX X-Terrain carry?

The MY24 X-Terrain is rated for a payload of 930kg (up 5kg), a kerb weight of 2170kg, gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 3100kg and a gross combination mass (GCM) of 6000kg. As for towing, the X-Terrain can haul up to 3500kg with a braked trailer (750kg unbraked) and support a tow ball weight of 350kg. Apart from the 5kg payload improvement, there’s no change to the X-Terrain’s weight-carrying ability.

What is the Isuzu D-MAX X-Terrain like inside?

While the Muira Origami motif splashed around the cabin and the red-stiched leather add a touch of class to the D-MAX interior, the most useful change belongs to the new simple old-school volume and tuning knobs. It is a great improvement to the prior buttons-only arrangement. There are no surprises in this mostly conservative, hard-wearing ute cabin design. Front seats offer a good deal of support, and there’s more than adequate room for occupants front and rear. It would be nice to see an electronic parking brake, full digital dash or head-up display for this premium model though.

Should I buy a Isuzu D-MAX X-Terrain?

The 2024 Isuzu D-MAX X-Terrain offers upgraded features and slightly improved lower-rpm response that helps what is already quite a good towing platform. While it delivers good fuel economy and ride quality when towing, its performance at highway speeds at least, is more on an acceptable than outstanding level, and the same applies to towing stability and towing assist features.

This article first appeared on Carsales.

2024 Isuzu D-MAX X-Terrain at a glance:

Price: From $67,900 (drive away)
Available: Now
Engine: 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 140kW/450Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 207g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2023)