Isuzu D-MAX X-Runner 2015 Review

The recent launch of Isuzu Ute's I-Venture Club in Queensland also gave motoring.com.au a chance to take a closer look at the company's latest pick-up model, a fully equipped Isuzu D-MAX X-Runner (pronounced 'Ex-Runner').

While the company says it's aimed more as a great all-rounder for urban buyers rather than a country workhorse, the two X-Runners at our group's disposal amply proved they were up for a bit of fun on Moreton Island, scene of the I-Venture Club's first official outing.

So what's on offer here? Well, for a start, this year's limited-edition model is based on the top-spec LS-Terrain version of the D-MAX 4x4 dual-cab pick-up (last year's X-Runner took its cue from the mid-spec LS-U).

The 2015 X-Runner is only available with a five-speed auto and it comes in either Lapis Blue or Pearlescent White. Just 180 examples of each will be available in Australia for a grand total of 360 units.

That's a big drop from the 600 limited-edition X-Runners released in 2014, and Isuzu Ute says the majority of available stock has already rolled off showroom floors.

That's not surprising given the new X-Runner's $51,990 drive-away pricing – the LS-Terrain has a recommended retail price of $53,000 plus on-roads.

The X-Runner scores all the LS-Terrain niceties such as leather seating, passive entry and start, a large touch-screen infotainment system with sat-nav, roof rails, a reversing camera, climate control, a tub liner, rear park assist and alloy side steps, plus extra benefits including an alloy sports bar, a dark-grey cabin interior, front and rear body skirts, X-Runner decals and, of course, the two previously mentioned colours.

It's certainly a stylish pick-up and our chosen test vehicle for the day, in Lapis Blue, made for a striking contrast with Moreton Island's endless silica-white sands, as we drove straight onto the beach from the car ferry at Tangalooma and began our clockwise navigation of the northern part of the island.

Moreton Island is just a 75-minute run from Brisbane on the MICAT catamaran, and for anyone who hasn't yet sampled its many charms we can thoroughly recommend it as a top 4WD destination. Of course, if you own an Isuzu D-MAX or MU-X you're really in luck, because thanks to Isuzu's new I-Venture Club you can explore the island at a cut-price rate, while also receiving tuition in sand-based 4WDing.

Check out www.iventureclub.com.au for more information – there will be day trips and eventually longer adventures for Isuzu owners soon happening all around the country.

But back to the X-Runner which, despite is smart city pick-up looks, is still amply equipped to play in the bush. With healthy approach, departure and ramp-over angles, decent ground clearance and axle articulation, excellent underbody protection and a dual-speed transfer case, this is a proper 4WD with real off-road capability. No, it might not have any diff locks and those front skirts and side steps might encroach on its clearance, but when things get tough the X-Runner is up for the challenge.

The key to the X-Runner's prowess is its grunty 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine. This is Isuzu Ute's own engine – it's not shared with anyone else – and the company's distant trucking heritage shines through in this lazy, under-stressed and very torquey unit.

For much of the day the mill is spinning at around 1500rpm, proceedings rarely requiring the tacho to nudge north of 2000rpm. There's simply heaps of low-down urge and it's all so easy to access – a pleasing contrast to the more peaky offerings of some manufacturers in this sector.

It's quite noisy under acceleration but not unduly so for this segment, while the growl of the diesel fades to the background on a steady throttle.

A coil spring front and leaf spring/live axle rear arrangement delivers a nicely suspended ride that strikes a good compromise between off-road enjoyment and on-road performance. It's a little firmer at the rear than the MU-X, which features a coil-over-shock arrangement at all four corners, but as a pick-up it's also more about shouldering a load – the D-MAX can handle up to a tonne in the back and it has a towing capacity of 3500kg.

With our tyre pressures down to 18psi, the X-Runner has no trouble at all negotiating the sand, from the firmer sections down by the shore to the softer powder higher up the beach towards the dunes. Just follow the tyre tracks in front of you, maintain a steady throttle, and let the Bridgestone Dueler H/Ts do their thing.

Several water crossings show the X-Runner doesn't mind getting its head wet, either. Our vehicles weren't fitted with snorkels but then this I-Venture experience served as an entry-level taste of the 4WD lifestyle. Even so, with a maximum wading depth of 500mm these vehicles can cope with a half-decent dunking.

An electronic dial on the centre console affords easy shifting between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive on the fly, while switching from high range to low range in four-wheel drive requires the vehicle to be in neutral and at a standstill. The electronic actuation is slick and effective, and the traction control can be disabled, if need be, by simply pressing a button.

In the cab, and safely shielded from a belting sun and soul-sapping humidity, the climate control was our saviour, pumping out deliciously chilled air and plenty of it. The leather seating should wear well and is generally very comfy; there's reasonable room in the back too, although kids and teenagers will fare better than taller adults. The dark-grey interior is more pleasing to this author's eye than the lighter grey scheme but the plastics are on the utilitarian side. They should at least prove durable and easy to clean.

We certainly can't whinge about the features list. The touch-screen is large and easy to operate and the sat-nav works well even in fairly remote areas, as we discovered in an MU-X on a recent off-road SUV comparison test in Victoria's High Country.

The reversing camera and rear parking sensors are a big help in typical shopping centre car parks – not that that was an issue on Moreton Island – and all the various extras mean there's little more to spend, save perhaps for a bullbar, spotties and snorkel for those looking to get more serious.

Safety is assured by the X-Runner's five-star ANCAP rating while comprehensive aftersales backup comes in the form of Isuzu Ute's 'Service Plus' scheme. This sees a five-year/130,000km factory warranty with five years of roadside assistance complemented by Isuzu's new three-year capped-price servicing scheme, the latter covering the first six services.

Australia is overrun with dual-cab 4WD pick-ups these days but that's no surprise given the lifestyle options afforded by our vast land. Isuzu's limited-edition D-MAX X-Runner stands out as something a little different, as does the Isuzu offering in general, and that in itself – along with a compelling package – is sending plenty of new customers Isuzu's way.

Isuzu's D-MAX offers grunty performance, plenty of ability and no small degree of comfort. With its lengthy list of extras and attractive pricing, we're sure the limited-edition 2015 X-Runner won't hang around for long.

What we liked:
>> Superb turbo-diesel
>> Added X-Runner value
>> Real off-road performance

Not so much:
>> Diesel clatter
>> Large to manoeuvre in town
>> Limited numbers

Also consider:
>> Holden Colorado LTZ (from $50,190 plus ORCs)
>> Ford Ranger Wildtrak (from $59,390 plus ORCs)
>> Mazda BT-50 XTR (from $48,890 plus ORCs)