While once upon a time the humble ute was nothing more than a rugged, functional workhorse, but it has recently (and rather quickly) evolved into something far beyond its humble beginnings into a vehicle for those with an active lifestyle, and it has become a credible alternative to the traditional family car. Damien O’Carroll reports.
So we are now seeing something that would have previously been unthinkable – the luxury ute.
While luxury is a relative term, a higher specification, more car-like ride and handling, and a far higher degree of comfort are now all expected of a ute, and manufacturers are falling over themselves to provide what the vast pool of customers in this highly competitive segment now demand.
Now Isuzu is getting in on the high-spec ute game by offering a 2WD version of its top-spec LS-T double cab D-Max.
With sales growing by 178 percent in 2013, 58 percent last year, and currently sitting on 38 percent up YTD, Isuzu Utes NZ is starting to become a serious player in the local ute market. Currently sitting in sixth position in the sales race, the Isuzu D-Max is closing in on the Mitsubishi Triton for fifth, but general manager Murray Greenhalgh has his eyes set on an even higher slot.
“I think, in New Zealand, we can be number three before long,” said Greenhalgh. “That’s our aim.”
The LS-T will play a vital role in taking on the goal, largely thanks to New Zealand buyer’s taste for high-spec utes and the ever-increasing demand for more luxury and technology in a segment that had previously been relegated to the workhorse role.
As such, Isuzu NZ says that the LS-T 2WD is only available in New Zealand, a situation that took 12 months of negotiating with the factory to achieve. While the LS-T spec has been – and continues to be – available in 4WD guise since the middle of last year for $60,990, the $52,890 2WD version reduces the entry fee by a handy amount for those who don’t require 4WD.
The top-spec LS-T comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, leather seats, an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, a leather multifunction steering wheel, climate control air conditioning, a touchscreen infotainment system that includes satellite navigation, a reversing camera, side steps, projector headlights and LED taillights.
Like all D-Maxes, the 2WD LS-T is powered by Isuzu’s 3-litre inline four-cylinder diesel turbo engine that produces 130kW of power and 380Nm of torque. On paper this lags behind the competition and out in the real world it does too, with the D-Max lacking the strong surge of acceleration that the likes of the Ford Ranger and the mechanically-similar, but larger-engines Holden colorado have.
What the D-Max does have in its favour, however, is a remarkable ability to lug along at any speed using the torque it does have to an absolute maximum. This means that, while it isn’t the quickest ute out there, it is probably one of the most flexible and easiest to drive, particularly around town. Even starting from a standstill in second gear will just see the D-Max dig in and chug off the line without any drama.
Out on the road the 2WD LS-T is still very much a traditional ute, particularly with no load in the tray. The ride is firm, but never overly intrusive, while the one area it does lag behind the opposition is now in noise levels, with even the previously noisy Holden Colorado now being quieter than the D-Max.
None of this should put anyone off the D-Max LS-T because, after all, you are still buying a ute. And the D-Max LS-T is a rather good one, particularly when you take the price into account.
And clearly lot of people have, as the 2WD LS-T has proven to be successful in the marketplace so far, with 40 registrations being racked up in the few months it has been on sale locally as well. It will remain to be seen if it maintains enough momentum to help take Isuzu to third in the ute market, however. But it is an impressive start and a thoroughly decent ute.
