Isuzu D-MAX ute upgraded for 2023

Popular ute gets a mid-life facelift, offering more choice and more features without a price increase.

By Callum Hunter, carsales.com.au

Australians are set to get more for their money with the upgraded 2023 Isuzu D-max ute.

The Japanese brand has outlined a raft of changes to its popular ute range, with three new SX variants, cosmetic tweaks across the board and revised specifications to some of the most popular models. And, best of all, they arrive without any changes to the recommended retail prices.

This means the SX Single Cab Chassis 4x2 with a 1.9-litre engine and manual transmission remains the entry ticket to the range with $31,990 drive-away sticker price, while the flagship X-Terrain continues on at $64,990 drive-away under the company’s special promotional pricing model.

Starting with the range-wide upgrades, all MY23 D-MAX variants have been treated to a revised front grille design which the brand says has been moulded to better suit the bonnet creases and chiselled front fascia.

The two upper slats have also been recoloured depending on the trim level, with each grade getting its own unique two-tone combination – black-on-black for SX, black and grey for LS-M, grey and chrome for LS-U and LS-U+, and dark grey-on-grey for X-Terrain.

A more subtle change is the adoption of grey foglight bezels on variants fitted with LEDs – a detail mirrored at the rear of the vehicles with grey tail-light surrounds.

The external tweaks are complimented by a batch of new variant-specific alloy wheel designs on all grades bar the base SX in response to customer feedback, which also led to the inclusion of the previously optional tailgate assist function as standard on all ute variants.

A few changes have been made inside the cabins too, with SX Crew Cabs scoring an extra USB port and the LS-M, LS-U, LS-U+ and X-Terrain all featuring updated upholstery finishes as well as the option of a new Moonstone White Pearl body colour.

Neptune Blue Mica has been added to the colour palette of the entire range, and the X-Terrain goes one better and scores another bespoke colour in Granite Grey metallic.

One critical update for caravanners and tradies that use a trailer is a revision to the comprehensive suite of advanced safety systems that automatically disables blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert when a trailer is hitched to a genuine, factory-fitted tow bar.

Tyre pressure monitoring has also been added to LS-U, LS-U+ and X-Terrain models.

Having first launched here in mid-2020 with a comprehensive model line-up, the range was further increased in 2022 with choice of the 1.9-litre turbo diesel four-cylinder engine in the SX models and the addition of the feature-packed LS-U+ variant that filled a gap between the LS-U and flagship X-Terrain.

Now the range is set to expand further with the addition of another three SX variants: the SX Crew Cab Chassis 1.9 4x2, SX Crew Cab Ute 1.9 4x2 and the SX Crew Cab Ute 1.9 4x4.

All of the new additions are fitted with the six-speed automatic transmission available across the rest of the D-MAX range.

Isuzu Ute Australia managing director Hiroyasu Sato said the MY23 update was the most significant one made to the D-MAX range since its debut because it brings new variants, new styling and new features.

“In a market where some brands have removed features to meet delivery timeframes, we’ve listened to the feedback from customers and the media and have introduced new features to keep the Isuzu D-MAX towards the top of the segment; features that appeal to the modern ute driver, and the towing and touring adventurer,” he said.

Similar changes have been applied to the related Isuzu MU-X large SUV and both updated models are set to enter local showrooms in December.

How much does the 2023 Isuzu D-MAX cost?

• SX Single Cab Chassis 1.9 4x2 – $32,200 drive-away
• SX Single Cab Chassis 1.9 4x2 (a) – $34,200
• SX Single Cab Chassis 4x2 – $34,200
• SX Single Cab Chassis 4x2 (a) – $36,200
• SX Space Cab Chassis 4x2 (a) – $39,700
• SX Crew Cab Chassis 1.9 4x2 (a) – $40,700
• SX Crew Cab Ute 1.9 4x2 (a) – $42,200
• SX Single Cab Chassis 4x4 – $42,200
• SX Crew Cab Ute 4x2 (a) – $44,200
• SX Single Cab Chassis 4x4 (a) – $44,200
• SX Space Cab Chassis 4x4 – $45,700
• SX Space Cab Chassis 4x4 (a) – $47,700
• SX Crew Cab Chassis 4x4 – $48,700
• SX Crew Cab Ute 1.9 4x4 (a) – $50,200
• SX Crew Cab Ute 4x4 (a) – $52,200
• LS-U Crew Cab Ute 4x2 (a) – $53,000
• LS-M Crew Cab Ute 4x4 – $53,300
• LS-M Crew Cab Chassis 4x4 (a) – $53,800
• LS-M Crew Cab Ute 4x4 (a) – $55,300
• LS-U Space Cab Ute 4x4 (a) – $58,000
• LS-U Crew Cab Ute 4x4 – $59,000
• LS-U Crew Cab Chassis 4x4 (a) – $59,500
• LS-U Crew Cab Ute 4x4 (a) – $61,000
• LS-U+ Crew Cab Ute 4x4 (a) – $63,500
• X-Terrain Crew Cab Ute 4x4 (a) – $64,990 drive-away

* Prices exclude on-road costs unless otherwise indicated

Disclaimer: Images supplied by Isuzu UTE Australia.

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