The wrap-up

While ‘feel at the wheel’ doesn’t necessarily tell the whole story, few utes convey such a sense of robustness as the D-MAX.

Bruce Garland swears by ‘em. He preps his racing D-MAXs from his Sydney workshop and reckons you can get them back in one piece without heavy mods.

So, if you want a car you can hose out at the end of a day’s work, or when out in the bush, put the D-MAX on the list.

If you want something to convey the loved one to the opera, take it off the list. Swank, it ain’t. Tough, it is.

So, that’s our position on the D-MAX. It’s a work ute, and a tough capable off-roader, but it’s not for everyone.

Sort out your priorities, and if the words “workhorse”, “unkillable”, and “no bullshit” appear near the top, go and have a look at the D-MAX.

While ‘ours’, the LS-U 4X4 crew cab, sits at the top of the D-MAX tree, most of the models across the range hold a healthy price advantage over their competitors.

For people with a job to do, this makes the D-MAX case stronger.

THE LAST WORD

While the D-MAX is a bit too uncompromising in its on-road dynamics for my tastes, there is no denying its robustness and readiness for work. As a work-horse, it has lots to recommend it, and, like its all-but identical stable-mate, the Holden Colorado, will continue to carve a place for itself in the market.

It’s got heaps of blue-singlet cred, and is perfectly at home with a load of sand in the back and a Bobcat in tow. (But, no, leave the dinner suit and the opera tickets at home.)

Likes

• Rugged construction
• Chiselled good looks
• Robust diesel
• Excellent fuel economy
• Reasonable rear seat accommodation
• Price when compared to a similarly equipped Hi-Lux

Dislikes

• Uncomfortable front seats
• Ugly dashboard design
• Harsh low speed ride
• Downmarket interior feel

Gallery

GALLERY » 2009 Isuzu D-MAX LS-U 4x4

Specifications

Engine:	3.0 litre 4-cylinder
Fuel System:	Common rail diesel, direct injection
Valve gear:	Chain driven, DOHC 16-valve with roller rockers
Fuel Consumption (claimed, crew cab 4X4):	8.4 l/100km (manual) 9.0 l/100km (auto)
Induction:	Intercooled Turbo
Power:	120kW @ 3,600rpm
Torque:	360Nm @ 1800-2800rpm (manual) / 333Nm @ 1600-3200rpm (auto)
Compression:	17.5:1
Bore x stroke:	95.4mm x 104.9mm
Transmission:	Five speed manual or four-speed auto (high/low range)
4WD System:	Dash-mounted push-button mode selection, limited slip differential
Suspension:	Front: (4X4) Independent hi-rise torsion bars, upper and lower wishbones with double acting gas shockers and stabiliser bar Rear: all-alloy semi-eliptic leaf spring with double acting gas shockers
Brakes:	Front: 280mm ventilated discs, 2-pot calipers Rear: 295mm drums, ABS with EBD
Nanny Stuff:	Airbags, ABS, EBD
Wheels:	(as driven) 16 x 7.0inch alloys
Tyres:	245/70 R16
Towing Capacity:	3,000kg (braked), 750kg (unbraked)
Cargo Bed:	Length: 1375mm Width: 1550mm
Kerb Weight:	1915kg
Price:	LS-U crew-cab ute 4×4 (tested): $40,500rrp (auto $42,500rrp) SX crew cab chassis: $36,700