Isuzu D-Max LS-M 2022 Evaluation in Brief
The Isuzu D-Max LS-M, a mid-level model in the current-generation D-Max lineup, offers a compelling blend of utility and comfort. In 2020, this model earned a prestigious five-star safety rating from ANCAP.
The D-Max LS-M provides good front-row comfort, with supportive seats and ample adjustment options. Its steering is nicely weighted, providing a balance between urban ease, high-speed predictability, and low-speed precision.
Rivals for the D-Max LS-M include the Toyota HiLux SR, Ford Ranger XLS, Mazda BT-50 XT Automatic, and Nissan Navara ST, all of which are priced similarly.
In terms of standard features, the D-Max LS-M comes equipped with a 4WD drivetrain, automatic transmission, cruise control, power steering, traction control, a turbocharged diesel engine, ABS brakes and airbags, alloy wheels, electric mirrors and windows, a reversing camera, towbar, central locking, radio with MP3 input, and more.
The D-Max LS-M registers a fuel use of 9.65L/100km when driven on a mixture of highway, country, and unsealed roads. However, its six-speed automatic transmission can be quick to shift into higher gears, with a tendency to fall out of its power band when pulling a load.
Despite this, the D-Max LS-M's on-road driving experience is respectable given its keen value position and off-road prowess. It boasts a payload of 1070kg and a tray that is 1495mm long, 1122mm between the wheelarches, and 490mm deep.
Standard safety features across the range of the D-Max include autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and prevention, lane-follow assist, rear cross-traffic alert, speed assist (with traffic sign recognition), rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and a reversing camera.
Storage in the D-Max LS-M is well catered for, with deep pockets in each door, two glovebox compartments, and a tray in front of the gear shifter. The second-row occupants are treated to good levels of headroom and decent knee room, and the air-conditioning offers single-zone adjustment.
Isuzu Ute Australia provides all models with a six-year, 150,000km vehicle warranty, seven years of roadside assist, and seven years of capped-price servicing. Service intervals run annually, or every 15,000km, whichever occurs first.
For those seeking an affordable means to net Isuzu's 4x4 dual-cab with the bigger 3.0-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder, the D-Max LS-M is a viable option. As of now, a used 2023 D-Max LS-M 4x4 model with approximately 50,000 km is available for around $47,990, while new or updated model pricing data was less direct but similar variants or comparable models are priced around $49,990 new.
The D-Max LS-M showcases significant overlap with other vehicles in the industry, such as the Toyota HiLux SR, Ford Ranger XLS, Mazda BT-50 XT Automatic, and Nissan Navara ST, all of which belong to the automotive sector and are primarily financed for their purchase. This model's off-road prowess makes it an ideal choice for sports enthusiasts who enjoy recreational activities like camping or off-roading.
