2025 Isuzu D-Max family review: practicality, safety & can a Ute really be a family car?
These days, dual cab utes like the Isuzu D-MAX aren’t just work vehicles — they’re becoming increasingly popular as family cars in Australia. Whether you're running your own business, heading off on a weekend adventure as a family, or managing school and daycare drop-offs, it’s inevitable your ute will need to carry the kids at some point.
That’s why we wanted to create this 2025 Isuzu D-MAX family review — particularly from a practical family ute point of view. If you own a dual cab ute and are expecting your second or third child, or considering jumping into one for the first time you might be asking: Is the Isuzu D-MAX suitable for everyday family life?
This review is for Aussie families who already own an Isuzu D-MAX or families who are considering one as second vehicle and want to understand how it performs as a family-friendly option.
In reviewing this vehicle, we are particularly interested in the car seat fit and easy of installation, how convenient it is to go from the worksite to childcare pickup, and whether the D-MAX works as a family holiday vehicle thanks to it’s large tray space – great for packing everything you need.
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Isuzu D-MAX Pros & Cons: What you should know before buying
Pros:
Two top tether and ISOFIX points: On the two outboard seats
Fuel efficient diesel engine: Averaged 7.9L/100km in mixed driving
Comprehensive standard safety technology across all trims: Blind spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, lane departure warning and traffic sign recognition – just to name a few.
Available in 4x2 and 4x4 options: Save money if you aren’t going off-road with the 2WD variants
Available with two engine options: depending on power demand and trim level there are two diesel engine options to choose from
Still available with a manual transmission
Cons:
Loop system top tether with central anchor point: Can be frustrating to install car seats
Some trim levels don’t have air vents in the second row: This isn’t ideal in the warmer months when it’s hot in the car
Lower grade interiors feel utilitarian compared to competitors: Full tradie spec is practical for the work site but not as premium feeling
Absence of side steps on base models makes entry hard for kids: Some low grade dual-cab options don’t have side steps as standard which makes it hard to get little kids in the car without assistance.
Diesel engine cabin noise noticeable during drives: On the highway and high revs the diesel engine can be loud.
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Isuzu D-MAX price guide – How much does the 2025 Isuzu D-MAX cost?
The 2025 Isuzu D-MAX is available in five trim levels, and two drivetrain options: 2WD and AWD, pricing as follows:
2025 Isuzu D-MAX SX high ride Auto 4x2 dual cab 1.9L: $42,700 before on-road costs
2025 Isuzu D-MAX SX high ride Auto 4x2 dual cab 3.0L: $44,700 before on-road costs
2025 Isuzu D-MAX SX Auto 4x4 dual cab 1.9L: $50,700 before on-road costs
2025 Isuzu D-MAX SX Auto 4x4 dual cab 3.0L: $52,700 before on-road costs
2025 Isuzu D-MAX LS-U high ride Auto 4x2 dual cab 3.0L: $54,500 before on-road costs
2025 Isuzu D-MAX LS-M Auto 4x4 dual cab 3.0L: $55,800 before on-road costs
2025 Isuzu D-MAX X-Rider Auto 4x4 dual cab 3.0L: $59,500 before on-road costs
2025 Isuzu D-MAX LS-U Auto 4x4 dual cab 3.0L: $62,500 before on-road costs
2025 Isuzu D-MAX LS-U+ Auto 4x4 dual cab 3.0L: $65,500 before on-road costs
2025 Isuzu D-MAX X-Terrain Auto 4x4 dual cab 3.0L: $70,500 before on-road costs
2025 Isuzu D-MAX X-Terrain Auto 4x4 dual cab 3.0L: $78,900 before on-road costs
(Exact driveway pricing will vary depending on location and registration type; check with Isuzu Australia or your local dealership for up-to-date costs.)
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Isuzu D-MAX engine options: Diesel
The 2025 Isuzu D-MAX comes with one engine but two diesel engine options:
1.9L four-cylinder turbo diesel - 110kW of power & 350Nm of torque
3.0L four-cylinder turbo diesel - 140kW of power & 450Nm of torque
We tested the 3.0L turbo-diesel engine in the 2025 Isuzu D-MAX, which is the more powerful of the two available options. It’s surprisingly fuel efficient for a diesel ute, and for everyday family driving—especially around the city—it felt competent and capable on road as it did off-road.
At low speeds, like during school or daycare runs, it performed well. The transmission was smooth, and the steering in the X-Terrain trim was comfortable and easy to manage. Despite being a large dual cab ute, the reversing camera and front/rear parking sensors made it feel manageable to maneuver, even in tighter suburban spaces like shopping centre car parks.
Taking the D-MAX across Melbourne on the freeway, the cabin comfort was great, with premium leather seats and a solid comfortable ride feel, you do however definitely notice the diesel engine noise, especially under higher revs. It’s not unreasonably loud, but more noticeable than what you’d hear in a petrol SUV or hybrid family car.
We didn’t test it fully loaded this time, but the Isuzu D-MAX’s 3.5-tonne towing capacity and 4x4 capability make it a strong contender if your family holidays include towing a caravan, heading off-road, or hauling bulky gear. It’s definitely a family-friendly 4x4 for those who need more than just school run capability.
If you’re coming from a smaller car or SUV, the Isuzu D-MAX does feel like a diesel ute—it’s not as smooth or quiet as a petrol or hybrid vehicle. It does make up for it with surprisingly well fuel efficiency, and overall lifestyle practicality.
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Is the Isuzu D-MAX fuel-efficient?
Fuel consumption figures are as follows:
1.9L: 6.9-7.0L/100km (combined)
3.0L: 8.0L/100km (combined) We averaged 7.9L/100km
For a full-size diesel ute, the 2025 Isuzu D-MAX is impressively fuel efficient. In our testing with the 3.0L turbo-diesel engine, we averaged around 7.9L/100km which was based on a combination of highway driving and inner city stop/start traffic.
That’s strong for a dual cab ute with 3.5-tonne towing capacity and 4x4 capability—especially when you consider the size and weight of the vehicle. Families using the D-MAX as a daily driver and weekend hauler will appreciate its ability to keep fuel costs down without compromising on power.
Isuzu D-MAX Interior & Space: How practical is it for families?
If you’re planning to use the Isuzu D-MAX as a family car, space in the second row will come down to child seat compatibility and how many seats you’re installing. With a rear-facing car seat, you’ll likely need to compromise on front legroom—especially if the driver or front passenger is tall.
One option is to install the rear-facing seat in the middle position, giving both front occupants a bit more room to recline. Otherwise, you’ll want to look into a slim-line car seat that doesn’t require too much depth—something many families using a dual cab ute for families should consider.
There’s enough second row space for an adult on short trips, or for a forward-facing child, but don’t expect the flexibility of an SUV. The rear bench sits low to the floor, meaning there’s minimal crawl space under a rear-facing seat. That can make it trickier for toddlers getting in and out independently.
The second row in the X-Terrain trim comes with two cupholders in the fold-down centre seat, which is great for older kids, and seat-back pockets for books, tablets, or water bottles. For longer drives, you’ll want to bring extra storage solutions, as in-cabin storage in utes is limited compared to most SUVs.
Headroom is excellent, and the side steps in the X-Terrain model make it much easier for kids to climb in—especially compared to lower trims that don’t include them. It’s a simple but worthwhile upgrade that makes the D-MAX a more family-friendly ute.
In our circle, we know families using the D-MAX X-Terrain as their everyday car with one child—and they absolutely love the versatility. It’s not pretending to be an SUV, but if you’re choosing between a ute vs SUV for family use, and you need towing capability, tray space, and room for car seats—it holds its own.
One feature we’d love to see added is rear window shades, especially for nap times or long summer road trips. While not available even in the MU-X, it would be a great touch for any family-focused trim level in the D-MAX lineup. It’s worth mentioning, in Isuzu’s defense, no dual cab ute on the market offers this feature.
Isuzu D-MAX Boot Space & Storage: How much can it fit?
Unlike a traditional SUV, the Isuzu D-MAX boot space comes in the form of a dual cab ute tray. It offers a rugged and open layout that suits both work and weekend family needs. The Isuzu D-MAX tray dimensions come in at 1495mm long, 1122mm wide between the wheel arches, and 490mm deep—standard sizing for a dual cab ute in Australia.
That gives you plenty of room for bulky family gear like prams, scooters, bikes, portacots, sports bags, and more. If you’re planning to do camping with a ute, the storage capacity of Isuzu D-MAX really comes in handy to carry beach gear, or load up for road trips.
For families who want a ute with pram space or need to juggle tradie gear with kids’ stuff, a family-friendly ute setup with storage solutions is essential. That said, only X-Rider and above trims come with some form of tray cover but it’s not completely waterproof, so if you’re using the D-MAX as a family car, we recommend adding a canopy for utes or a secure tub cover to protect your belongings.
Straight from the factory, though, the Isuzu D-MAX tray gives you a sturdy and versatile space—ready for both work gear and weekend life with the kids.
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Isuzu D-MAX Safety Features: Is it a safe family car?
The 2025 Isuzu D-MAX comes with a solid suite of active safety features and driver assistance systems as standard across the entire range—even in the entry-level SX. Isuzu has continued to include its IDAS (Intelligent Driver Assistance System) package across the board, making the D-MAX one of the safest dual cab utes on the market in terms of standard safety tech.
As standard all D-MAX models come with the following safety features:
Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
Hill Descent Control (HDC)
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
Turn Assist with AEB
Post-Collision Braking
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
Misacceleration Mitigation (auto models only)
Adaptive Cruise Control (IACC)
Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR)
Intelligent Speed Limiter
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
Lane Departure Prevention (LDP)
Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
Emergency Lane Keeping (ELK)
Lane Support System (LSS) Switch (disables LDW, LDP, LKA, ELK)
Driver Attention Assist
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
Rear Cross Traffic Braking (RCTB)
Digital Reversing camera
Additional safety features in 4x2 SX tray variants and 4x4 LS-M and above variants include:
Digital Reversing camera w/ Dynamic Guidelines
X-Terrain adds:
Front parking sensors
ANCAP safety rating: It also holds a 5-star ANCAP safety rating (all trims except the Blade variant)
From a real-world perspective, everything worked as it should during testing. The front sensors and reversing camerain the X-Terrain trim were especially helpful when navigating school carparks or tight spots. While the alerts and beeping sounds are quite prominent, they weren’t overwhelming—in fact, they added confidence when parking or merging in traffic.
With standard safety tech across the range and no major compromises at base level, the Isuzu D-MAX offers families a strong sense of security, even if you’re not stepping into the top-spec trim.
Should You Buy the Isuzu D-MAX in 2025? Final verdict
If you’re looking for a family dual cab ute in Australia, the 2025 Isuzu D-MAX is absolutely worth considering. This isn’t a ute pretending to be an SUV—it’s a proper ute that’s refined enough for everyday family use. For a lot of Aussie families, that balance is exactly what they are looking for.
It delivers a strong mix of fuel efficiency, towing capacity, and daily drivability, with a 5-star ANCAP safety ratingand standard active safety tech across the range. Whether you’re towing a trailer, loading tools, or doing the childcare run, the Isuzu D-MAX towing and fuel economy combo makes it a genuinely flexible vehicle.
The back seat has top tether points for two car seats, and while it’s not the roomiest second row – compared to the MU-X, it’s practical enough for families with one or two kids. If you’re looking at a child seat fitment in utes, the D-MAX does require some compromise—especially with rear-facing seats and tall front passengers—but it’s manageable, especially if you’re using slim-line seats or installing centrally. It is worth noting if you do need a third seat in the second row you will need to get this installed aftermarket and it’s not clear if this will void any warranty on the vehicle brand new.
Higher trims like the X-Terrain feel premium, with features like leather seats, side steps, and front parking sensors making daily life that bit easier. For families weighing up a ute vs SUV for school runs and holidays, the D-MAX offers real-world versatility that many SUVs can’t match—especially if you need to extra space with the tray plus tow, carry gear, or head off-road.
If you're a tradie with a young family, or just someone who wants one car that can do it all, the Isuzu D-MAX is one of the best utes for family and work life in 2025. It’s not going to be the most affordable option but presents good value for money and is still more affordable than the likes of certain Toyota HiLux or Ford Ranger models.