70 / 76
I
suzu Ute Australia has upgraded
its popular D-Max utility and
brought a new X-Runner special
edition back to market after a two-year
absence.
It has also ushered in an improved
aftersales care package which
includes a six-year warranty.
The new ‘6-6-7’ ownership program
sees the warranty period extend by a
year to now run to 150,000km (up from
130,000km previously), and includes
six years of roadside assistance
and seven years (or 105,000km) of
capped-price servicing. The latter is up
two years/30,000km and equates to
$3,600 in total over the period.
Following major overhauls for the
D-Max in both 2017 and 2018, the 2019
model year has brought a relatively
modest update that is largely cosmetic
but adds useful equipment and sees
the model line-up revised slightly, with
the EX single cab chassis and LS-U
space cab pick-up discontinued due to
lack of demand.
The comprehensive range now
covers 21 variants spanning the usual
three cabs (single, space and dual), two
back ends (pick-up and cab chassis),
four trim levels (SX, LS-M, LS-U and
LS-T), and 4x2 and 4x4 drivelines with
ISUZU D-MAX
a six-speed manual/auto transmission
option and just the one powertrain: an
unchanged 130kW/430Nm 3.0L four-
cylinder turbo-diesel.
The flagship LS-T is the main
beneficiary in the 19MY update,
picking up various matte-black
features including machined-face
18” alloy wheels wrapped in newly
specified 255/60R18 Toyo Open
Country Highway Terrain tyres that are
claimed to reduce road noise.
Revised matte-black roof rails are
now standard on LS-T, while LS-T and
LS-U gain redesigned side steps that
are made from durable fibre-reinforced
polymer and have better underfoot
grip and improved water dispersal.
Extra black styling treatments are now
applied to the front end of all LS-grade
variants – and on the B-pillars of the
crew cabs.
Keyless entry/start functionality
also comes on board the 4x2 LS-T,
putting it on a par with the equivalent
4x4 spec, and front park assist (using
a three-stage radar sensor system)
is now offered as a $545 dealer-fit
accessory across all LS models in this
model year and 17MY and 18MY.
The new X-Runner steals the show,
however, with its unique exterior
styling elements and accessories
such as matte-grey grille with red
Isuzu badge, dark grey finish to the
front fog lights and tailgate branding,
X-Runner decals on the bonnet, doors,
rear quarter and tailgate, a satin-
black sports bar and, in the tub, a
spray-on liner.
Based on the LS-T 4x4 dual cab, the
X-Runner is limited to 645 units and
only available in red or white exterior
paint. It carries rear park assist, which
is an option on the regular model, while
the cabin features red/black leather-
accented seats (with red stitching),
branded X-Runner scuff plates, piano-
black and dark-red trim elements on
areas such as the dashboard, doors
and steering wheel, and black roof and
pillar lining.
The X-Runner is priced from $54,990
drive-away, while the permanent D-Max
line-up starts at $28,600 (plus on-road
costs) for the SX 4x2 single cab chassis
manual, topping out at $54,800 for the
LS-T 4x4 dual cab pick-up.