ONE OF THE quiet achievers in the Australian market has been Isuzu. Without too much fanfare or chest-beating, it’s been easily outselling a lot of much higher-profile competitors with its D-Max ute and MU-X SUV.
Among its many awards are two Customer Satisfaction Awards from Roy Morgan; the 2018 Car Manufacturer of the Year and 2018 Best of the Best.
D-Max utes and M-UX SUVs have proven hugely successful with all demographics, but are particularly popular with over-50s who want to see the country, with or without a caravan in tow.
The company has recently announced some important updates to ensure the growth continues.
Perhaps the most significant of these for most buyers will be the more comprehensive Isuzu ownership program that now includes a six-year/150,000km warranty, six years roadside assist and a seven-year capped price service program, all of which will be welcome news to buyers and makes an even stronger case than the previous already-strong five-year/130,000km warranty introduced in 2013.
The capped price service program for MY19 models on is the longest currently on offer in the 1-tonne ute and ute-based SUV (the MU-X is built on the same platform as the D-Max, following similar practice for the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, Toyota Fortuner, Ford Everest and the Holden Trailblazer which are all built on ute underpinnings). Total cost for servicing the Isuzu ute and SUV over seven years of ownership equates to $3600.
D-Max upgrades
The D-Max underwent a number of upgrades in 2017 and again in 2018. The latest round of upgrades to the LS-T includes 18-inch matte black aluminium wheels fitted with 255/60R18 Toyo Open Country Highway Terrain Tyres. The ute also gets new look sidesteps on both the LS-U and LS-T, new roof rails (finished in matte black), additional black highlights for the LS-M and LS-U while all get the matte black treatment to the radiator air intake on the front bumper and B-pillars of all MY19 Crew Cab LS models. The MY19 models also get Isuzu’s passive entry and start system which was previously only available on the flagship LS-T 4×4.
MU-X upgrades
The MY19 MU-X models have also come in for a refresh with a more aggressively styled front grille finished in grey and black on LS-M models and chrome and gloss black on LS-U and LS-T. LS-U and LS-T models also get 18-inch gloss black aluminium wheels fitted with Bridgestone Dueler Highway Terrain tyres.
The interiors have come in for attention too, with the usual durable finishes where necessary, plus more premium soft-touch materials and piano black trim in key areas.
The LS-T gets ambient interior lighting, activating automatically with the headlights.
More worthwhile changes include a recalibrated hydraulic steering for smoother, lighter steering response, especially at standstill and low speeds.
Safety options, including retrofit (2017-on)
Blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert are offered as options on all MY17 models onwards for a reasonable $995 and can be retrofitted to earlier modes (2017 on). Also offered as an option is front park assist on both D-Max and MU-X that uses a three-stage radar sensor system across the front overhang points and audibly warns the driver of any obstacles. It’s a $545 option and can be fitted to MY17 and later LS-M, LS-U, LS-T D-Max and MU-X models.
On sale in May
The revised range appears in showrooms from May 1.
Prices for the D-Max start at $28,600 for the SX manual single cab and rise to $54,800 for the range-topping 4×4 Crew Cab LS-T auto.
MU-X prices start at $42,900 for the two-wheel drive LS-M auto and top out at $56,400 for the LS-T auto.
