The X-Rider has been transformed from a special edition model to a full-time work and play model in the Isuzu D-Max series. It looks good, but do its specs suit you?
Our passion
- The X-Rider Black Suit looks great
- Work and play specifications are perfectly matched
- As a station wagon, the comfort is good
We don't like it
- The price doesn't match the drive-away offer of the better-equipped X-Terrain
- There is still room for improvement in engine improvements
- Four-speaker stereo performance is poor
2024 五十铃 D-Max X-Rider 4x4
There's no doubt that the D-Max X-Terrain takes on the responsibility of the flagship model, with all the standard features of the Isuzu model lineup, and the exterior package that makes it stand out from the main models.
But what if you want a little X-Terrain style, but also a utility car that can both work and play? You may like X-Rider.
The name X-Rider used to be used for special editions of D-Max, but now it's a permanent member of the series. Based on the mid-spec LS-M, the X-Rider comes in a range of black packaging styling from the inside out, meaning you don't need to spend time and money chasing a stylish look yourself.
But does that mean the D-Max X-Rider is a work car, a show car, a family car, or both? We spent a week test driving to find out.
How much does an Isuzu D-Max cost?
The Isuzu D-Max X-Rider sits almost exactly in the middle of the brand's dual-cab 4x4 model lineup. The cheapest fleet-spec two-cab SX model starts at $50,700 (excluding on-road fees) and the flagship X-Terrain tops out at $70,500 (excluding on-the-road fees) – or at least is "discounted" to $67,990 if it's not for the ongoing drive-away offer.
It's the only two-cab model with a drive-away price (although you may still find discounts on last year's model), which means that if you pay the full $59,500 for the X-Rider, plus the cost on the road, you'll spend around $64K-65K, depending on your location.
Like the LS-M version it's based on (starting at $55,800 + ORC), the X-Rider comes with standard features like LED headlights, fabric upholstery, an 8.0-inch infotainment system and four-speaker stereo, rain-sensing wipers, damping tailgate, rear differential lock, adaptive cruise control and 17-inch alloy wheels.
The differences are mainly in the exterior, which includes a black and gray grille, black front bumper lip, rear pedal bumper, mirror caps, door handles, wheels and sports bars, a soft van back cover, an "X" shaped tailgate badge, and a black interior with a black headliner with black and dark gray finishes for the interior, door handles, and steering wheel.
Priced at slightly higher than the newly released Ford Ranger Black Edition, the D-Max X-Rider offers a similar exterior makeover, albeit based on Ford's entry-level model, but starts at AU$56,680 without on-road fees.
Like the D-Max, the Mitsubishi Triton is starting to surpass previous affordable levels, with the new generation Triton GLS starting at $59,090+ORC but adding a few extra features such as dual-zone climate control, auto-dimming interior mirrors, LED taillights, keyless entry and push-button start, wireless phone charging, and optional heated leather seats at the front.
You can also save money with the GWM Ute Cannon-XSR, which is priced at AU$52,990 (or AU$48,990 for a limited time until the end of July 2024) and comes with some additional off-road hardware such as locking front differentials, snorkels, chassis protection and more.
| Key details | 2024 五十铃 D-Max X-Rider 4x4 |
| Price | AUD 59,500 plus travel fees |
| Test car color | Obsidian lime |
| Options | Metallic Paint – AUD 695 |
| Price as tested | AUD 60,195 plus travel costs |
| Opening price | A$65,594 (Melbourne) |
| competitor | Great Wall Motor|Mazda BT-50|Nissan Navarra |
How big is an Isuzu D-Max?
Since the changes to the 2024 D-Max series are essentially updates to existing models, the overall dimensions, both internal and external, remain the same.
Inside, there's plenty of room in the front for burly drivers and diminutive pilots. The X-Rider's seat is manually adjustable, the height is adjustable with the driver, and the steering wheel tilt and extension are adjustable.
The black interior of the X-Terrain looks beautiful. The dashboard and doors look coherent and upscale. The X-Rider comes with "premium" cloth seats at the LS-M and LS-U levels, but still uses a urethane steering wheel and vinyl flooring – no glitter leather wrap or carpeting here.
Air conditioning is achieved by manual control rather than digital climate control. It's very simple, but it's simple to operate – just a little clunky. Buttons around the gear lever for parking sensors, downhill control, and rear differential lock put all the functions together in a reasonable way.
The storage isn't particularly innovative, but it's more than enough to get the job done, including upper and lower glove boxes, trays at the bottom of the center stack for quick insertion of anything, hidden compartments at the top of the dashboard, a pair of cup holders at the center console for most bottles, and a pair of extra cup holders at both ends of the dashboard, as well as good storage space inside the doors and center console.
The car doesn't come with a wireless phone charger, which is always handy in a car with wireless smartphone mirroring, but even the top-of-the-line D-Max X-Terrain doesn't come with a Qi charger. You can plug the charger into the USB-C port in the infotainment unit, in addition to a port for the rear seats, and a mirror-mounted USB-A port for the dashcam, but the D-Max feels a bit lacking in terms of providing enough power for everyone.
The rear seats are not luxurious, but they are comfortable. The backrest slopes just enough so that passengers don't feel straight, and for adults of average stature, there's plenty of knee and foot room to relax on long drives. If there are only two passengers in the rear, the foldable center armrest adds a touch of comfort, plus it comes with a pair of cup holders that complement the sliding bottle holders on the doors.
The rear compartment benefits from the addition of a flush soft rear bonnet, which is the only D-Max model to be fitted with this soft rear cover as standard. When new cars, the soft rear compartment lid is tight, but over time, the soft rear compartment cover becomes looser and easier to handle. There are four tie-down points on the tray and a damping assist tailgate, but the X-Rider has no plastic or spray padding (although standard on LS-U and above models).
| 2024 五十铃 D-Max X-Rider 4x4 | |
| seat | Five |
| Pallet size | Length: 1570 mm at floor Width: 1530 mm Width: 1122 mm between wheel covers Depth: 490 mm |
| length | 5280 mm |
| width | 1870 mm |
| height | 1785 mm |
| wheelbase | 3125 mm |
Does Isuzu D-Max have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
The infotainment system on the lower-end D-Max models has been upgraded with an 8.0-inch display (previously 7.0-inch), and new layouts for physical controls and on-screen menus. The high-end model retains the 9.0-inch display, but the interface has also been improved.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring can be accessed wirelessly, but you can also plug it in. In order to greatly improve the user-friendliness, the wireless connection is much more stable than the earlier versions. Within a week of my use of this car, there was a breakdown, but the earlier version often failed to connect or dropped during driving. This did not happen this time.
A four-speaker sound system is standard, although it's not exactly concert hall quality – for the sake of audio performance, clarity, and quality, you'll have to go to Supercheap for an upgrade early on.
The infotainment system also offers AM/FM/DAB+ radio and Bluetooth, but there are no built-in navigation features. However, the more integrated infotainment ecosystem does have access to more vehicle systems, so off-road information and driving mode settings can be accessed from the display.
The overhauled operating system now offers more customization and more at-a-glance information. The home screen is more practical and gives you access to multiple system views at the same time. The system is still not the most responsive, but the inputs are more accurate than before, in addition, the physical dials for volume and tuning make access to rough roads much easier.
Isuzu doesn't offer a companion app, and the infotainment system isn't "live" or connected via a SIM card, so features like remote access, vehicle tracking, and SOS calling (which are found in Ford and Toyota pickups) aren't yet available on the D-Max lineup.
Is Isuzu D-Max a safe car?
Given the relatively minor updates to the 2024 D-Max, the modified model was able to carry over the ANCAP crash test results of an earlier version, which was re-evaluated in 2022 and received a five-star rating.
The test results showed a score of 86% for adult occupant protection, 89% for child occupant protection, 69% for vulnerable road user protection, and 84% for safety assistance systems. From July 2022, the D-Max will be updated with improved driver knee airbags and instrument panel to improve safety performance. The 2022 test validated the changes (although earlier vehicles had the same partial scores) and extended the test validity until December 2028.
| 2024 五十铃 D-Max X-Rider 4x4 | |
| ANCAP rating | Five stars (tested 2022) |
| Security Reports | Link to ANCAP report |
What safety technologies does the Isuzu D-Max have?
All D-Max models come with a range of standard safety features, on par with many passenger cars, meaning there are few compromises in choosing a more rugged vehicle. Each D-Max is equipped with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) with Intersection Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Centering Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Braking, and eight airbags.
Isuzu has installed some safety systems, such as rear cross-traffic warning radar, and added braking to prevent potential collisions. The system can also be automatically deactivated by inserting the trailer with the original Isuzu Trailer Wiring Kit to prevent misactivation. The camera-based system runs AEB, and lane detection has a wider field of view and is now more accurate.
Overall, the safety system performs well in traffic. The lane-keeping system works well and does not collide with the driver, in addition, there is a shortcut on the steering wheel to quickly deactivate it if needed. Being camera-based, the AEB and lane support systems go offline on cold mornings, but the mist eliminator element high up on the windshield means it only takes a few minutes to get back into service.
The upgraded model's dual-LED headlights give off good low beams, though I think the high beams are a bit weak, especially when spotting distant wildlife on country roads. If you drive like this a lot, I recommend that you buy some aftermarket running lights as a supplement.
| Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) | yes | Includes cyclist and pedestrian detection, intersection assistance |
| Adaptive cruise control | yes | Includes Traffic Jam Assist |
| Blind spot alerts | yes | Alerts only |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | yes | Alerts and assistance |
| Lane Assist | yes | Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Centering Assist |
| Road Sign Recognition | yes | Speed limits and cruise control assistance are included |
| Driver Attention Warning | yes | Fatigue monitor included |
| Cameras and sensors | yes | Rear sensor, reversing camera |
How much does an Isuzu D-Max cost to run?
五十铃系列提供六年/150,000 公里保修。 竞争对手提供五年(HiLux、Navara、Ranger、Amarok)、七年(T60 Max、Musso、GWM Ute)和长达十年(Triton)的保修。
Purchasers also get up to seven years of roadside assistance service, which is renewed every year with each authentic service.
Isuzu has adjusted the service pricing for the 2024 Isuzu D-Max. Service should be done at 12-month or 15,000 km intervals, but Isuzu now has a fixed price structure for the first five years.
It now costs $449 per service, which means a five-year warranty costs $2245. This is cheaper than the Mazda BT-50 (AU$2443) and Mitsubishi Triton (AU$2445) using the same 3.0-litre engine.
According to a quote from a 35-year-old male in Chatswood, NSW, the annual premium for the D-Max X-Rider is AU$1710/year. Insurance estimates may vary depending on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances. Based on these details, the Triton GSR is quoted at $1599, the GWM Ute Cannon-XSR is quoted at $1672 and the Navara ST-X is quoted at $1792.
| At first glance | 2024 五十铃 D-Max X-Rider 4x4 |
| Warranty | Six years, 150,000 km |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000 km |
| Cost of Services | A$1347 (3 years) A$2245 (5 years) |
五十铃 D-Max 省油吗？
The official fuel consumption of the Isuzu 4x4 D-Max series is 8.0 liters per 100 km, but it could be lower if you drive long distances on the road. Highway fuel consumption is 6.9 liters per 100 km, but in the real world, we have 7.6 liters per 100 kilometers when driving on the highway and 9.7 liters per 100 kilometers when driving on mixed city roads and highways.
The load characteristics of pickup trucks like the D-Max mean that fuel consumption will naturally be higher if you're constantly loading cargo in the rear or hitching on a trailer. However, as a station wagon, fuel-efficient road driving will definitely win the approval of the owner.
| Fuel efficiency | 2024 五十铃 D-Max X-Rider 4x4 |
| Fuel Disadvantages (Claimed) | 8.0 l/100 km |
| Fuel consumption (under testing) | 9.7 l/100 km |
| Types of gasoline | diesel engine |
| Fuel tank size | 76 liters |
How does it feel to drive an Isuzu D-Max?
Although Isuzu has expanded the range of its smaller 1.9-liter engine to the MU-X SUV lineup, the D-Max limits the small-capacity engine to the fleet-level SX. That means the X-Rider has Isuzu's more powerful 3.0-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel engine under the hood.
The output for 2024 won't change, still at 140kW and 450Nm, which puts the D-Max behind the 150kW/470Nm Triton, 150kW/500Nm HiLux and 154kW/500Nm Ranger twin-turbo, and exactly in line with the numbers you see in the Navara or BT-50 (the latter with an Isuzu engine).
Isuzu is very close to the strategy of diesel pickups. It's a low-revving pickup, but once it starts accelerating, the roar it emits is nimble enough that it doesn't get irritated with or without loads. You'll notice that at certain points in the rev range, the idle noise is loud and there is some clicking, but once you reach cruise speed, it's basically stable.
Speaking of stability, the X-Rider, like all D-Max models with a pickup chassis, features Isuzu's "standard" rear leaf suspension instead of the heavy-duty springs at the rear of the cab chassis model. It's not the most stable model in Australia's dual-cab pickup, but the balance is decent when unloaded, but once some weight is put in the chassis, the balance is more stable and reasonable.
I've never noticed it bumping or jolting on some of Melbourne's rough country roads, and it's happy to drive on smoother surfaces and overcome motorway unevenness.
While tweaking the settings, Isuzu also tweaked the steering geometry to address the "bump steering" tire wear that affected earlier versions of the D-Max. It's not something you can feel through the steering wheel, but the aim is to extend tire life and put an end to the problem of premature wear of the front tire.
It's still not a sharp tool, but from behind the wheel, the D-Max feels more modern than the HiLux, though perhaps not as refined as the Ranger.
The steering is a bit heavier, but matches the use of the D-Max on different road surfaces. It's not light or shaky, but it's not an upper body exercise either. Isuzu uses electric power steering to help match the D-Max's safety system, which helps provide them with more range of adjustment compared to hydraulics.
On the road, wind noise is well controlled, and even the Dunlop AT25 Grandtrek tires are quiet on most surfaces. They're not the most aggressive all-terrain tires, though, so they're able to switch from on-road to off-road use, but off-road focused riders may want to look for more aggressive tires.
| Key details | 2024 五十铃 D-Max X-Rider 4x4 |
| engine | 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel |
| strength | 140 kW @ 3600 rpm |
| Torque | 450牛米 @ 1600–2600rpm |
| Drive type | Time-sharing four-wheel drive Low-speed transfer case |
| disseminate | 6-speed automatic torque converter |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 67.8 kW/t |
| Weight (curb weight) | 2065 kg |
| Spare tire type | Full size |
| payload | 1045 kg |
| Traction level | 3500kg when braking, 750kg without braking |
| Radius of slewing | 12.5 m |
How much weight can the Isuzu D-Max drag?
As you upgrade, the payload of the D-Max model starts to decrease, but the X-Rider maintains a one-ton load capacity, with a total payload of 1045 kg, according to factory data. Of course, if you intend to get the most out of it, you need to factor in the weight of accessories, passengers, and cargo in this number.
With the exception of the entry-level 4x2 SX single-seater cab, all other D-Max models are rated for 3,500 kg on brakes or 750 kg on non-brakes. Higher-grade models (LS-U and above) come standard with a towbar, but the X-Rider is available as an accessory.
Should I buy an Isuzu D-Max?
It may seem a bit wrong to call the D-Max X-Rider "style-driven," but the black styling kit is very obvious to buyers who might otherwise opt for a work-spec ute and then go on an aftermarket upgrade frenzy.
While it doesn't add any hardcore off-road enhancements, the X-Rider's exterior is more appealing than the regular LS-M it's based on. Think of it as X-Terrain-lite. This means that there is still plenty of room for this particular variant to work on the job site or explore new routes on weekends.
The only obvious problem is the price. While the D-Max X-Terrain has a very good start-up price, the X-Rider feels a bit cheeky by just a few thousand dollars less in comparison to the price of the X-Rider (plus on-the-road fees). A sensible opening price might make the difference in this model – like relying on your local Isuzu dealer to be careful about any inventory that might exist.
The balance between a strong powertrain and good on-road dynamics gives the D-Max an edge, and it should definitely be on your shortlist if you're looking to buy this car.