With a new bi-turbo diesel engine producing a claimed 160 kilowatts and 500 Newton metres,
LDV's updated T60 MAX can now lay claim to being Australia's most powerful
four-cylinder dual-cab ute. But does the Chinese upstart's performance hike deserve to entice even
more buyers away from its big name, big selling rivals? That's what we're here to find out.
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LDV has carved a solid foothold in Australia's dual-cab 4x4 ute segment with its T60,
which first hit the Australian market in 2017.
Now, the T60 has been updated for 2022
with a four-variant model range, bringing a new two-litre four-cylinder bi-turbo diesel,
the option of a new eight-speed ZF auto, refreshed styling, and some interior tweaks.
First seen in lower output form in the closely related LDV D90 SUV,
the beefier new engine is now standard across the T60 MAX range, including the entry level MAX Pro
and the high-spec MAX Luxe. Here we're testing the range topping T60 MAX Luxe
auto, which, at just over 40K, is now priced $5000 higher than its predecessor,
but still about 10 grand less than some of its top selling competitors.
While the T60's body essentially carries over, LDV has toughened up the ute's look
with a larger grille, chunkier bumper and sleeker LED headlights up front, while at the back,
we have a new molded section emblazoned with T60 MAX across the rear tail gate.
It's a mild styling refresh and there's no sailplane as fitted to the LDV
MAX's pick-up concept ute revealed in mid-2020. In fact, roof rails and
side steps have been dropped from the range along with the sports bar on Luxe variants.
So the prime focus of this update lies firmly on this new bi-turbo diesel engine,
which, on paper at least, outguns Ford's two-litre bi-turbo Ranger by three kilowatts
and Toyota's 2.8-litre Hi-Lux by 10 kilowatts, while matching both for peak torque.
Meanwhile, the new eight-speed automatic transmission
available in both Pro and Luxe trim grades features eco and power modes
as well as full auto or manual shifting. It adds a $2000 premium over the six-speed manual.
Couple that with the part-time 4x4 driveline with dual range transfer case and an Eaton auto
locking rear diff in Luxe variants, and the T60 MAX is ready for the rough stuff when required.
If you've never considered an LDV ute before, hop in a T60 MAX and I
think you'll be pleasantly surprised. Yes, there are hard plastics throughout the cab,
but they fit together nicely. The instrumentation is classy and the
commercial underpinnings are complemented by soft touch surfaces, piano black and silver trim,
and contrast stitching. It's really not a bad place to be.
The plastic steering wheel has integrated controls, but it's only adjustable for tilt,
not reach, while there's leather upholstery throughout the T60 MAX Luxe,
plus six-way electric adjustment and heating for the front seats.
The headline update in the cabin is this new and slightly larger multi-media touchscreen,
which has grown in size from 10 to 10.25 inches.
It's a higher quality of display and faster and smoother in its operation.
And while some of the icons are a little bit small, it's easy and intuitive enough to use.
Having said that, there's no integrated satnav or digital radio, and the seat heating function
is only accessible through the touchscreen. But the unit does come with Bluetooth connectivity,
Apple CarPlay and Android smartphone mirroring, and there are two USB charge points and a 12-volt
outlet at the base of the centre stack. As for safety, the T60 MAX comes with a
five-star NCAP rating, but that was achieved way back in 2017. It has all the basic staples
along with lane departure warning and a 360-degree camera in Luxe variants.
But it misses out on most of the latest safety advances, including autonomous emergency braking.
Cabin storage is par for the course for dual-cab ute.
We get a locking glove box up front, a small centre console bin,
bottle holders for each of the four-door pockets, and twin cup holders front and rear.
Gripes? Well, the reversing camera display could be a little crisper, the placement of
the mirror adjustment knob is a bit awkward, and the illuminated settings on the drive selector
and gear shift are difficult to read in full sunlight, none of which are deal breakers.
But there's decent head and legroom in the second row seating, and that isn't always the case in the
dual-cab ute segment. I'm 188 centimetres tall, or 6 foot 2 inches, and I fit back here just fine.
Second row occupants get dedicated venting for the climate control,
a fold down armrest with cup holders, and a 12-volt socket.
The two outboard seats have top tethers and ISOFIX mounting points for baby capsules and child seats,
but smaller kids may struggle with the lack of side steps when climbing in or out.
And back here at the business end, the T60 MAX's tub features a spray-in bedliner
and four sturdy tie-down anchor points.
The tub floor measures 1485 millimetres long, but it's not quite wide enough between its
wheel arches to fit a standard Aussie pallet. An updated version of the long wheelbase T60 Mega Tub
isn't currently available but LDV says it will return to the line-up soon.
Surprisingly, however, maximum payload has dropped a little in this update, by 65 kilos to 750 kilos
in this MAX Luxe variant, and there's no change to the T60's subpar three-ton brake towing limit.
So that's a rundown on the facts and figures.
Now, let's get out of town, hit the bush and see what it can do.
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Jumping behind the wheel of a T60 MAX really showcases just how far
Chinese automotive products have come in recent years. They look so much better,
there's so many more features, and they drive so much better too.
And the performance hike in this latest T60 is a welcome one. Maximum power is up by 50 kilowatts,
but now comes in 600 RPM higher in the rev range at 4000 RPM,
while peak torque is up by 40 Newton-metres. That max grunt now starts 100 RPM lower at
1500 RPM, but it's maintained across a narrower 900 RPM band.
The T60 MAX also comes with two different suspension tunes. There's a heavy duty
tune in Pro variants and a comfort tune in Luxe variants like the model we're in here,
with all models riding on double wishbone front and leaf spring rear suspension.
When unladen, even the ride in this comfort tune is a bit jiggly and juddery,
but that's not unexpected, and, as with all LCV's, the ride will invariably improve with the load.
I have to say, I'm really pleasantly surprised with the overall level of refinement.
Engine noise is nicely suppressed by ute standards, the steering has a nice weight to it,
and the brakes, though perhaps lacking a little bit in the way of initial bite,
are progressive with nice modulation at the pedal.
The new ZF eight-speed auto is a step up from the old six-speed auto.
It shifts smoothly and quite quickly, and for the most part, it makes a good fist of selecting the
right cog for the immediate job at hand. And despite the performance boost, LDV says fuel
economy for the T60 MAX has actually improved marginally for auto models. In any case, we saw
average consumption span 9.3 to 12 litres per 100 kilometres over a range of driving conditions.
Okay, so the T60 MAX has acquitted itself well on the bitumen, now let's see how it handles on dirt.
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The T60 MAX can't quite match the frontrunners when it comes to
ground clearance, wading depth or approach angle. And the under-body protection is fairly modest.
But the part-time 4x4 system seems to work okay. There's an Eaton diff lock in Luxe
variants and there's certainly no shortage of grunt for climbing up and over obstacles.
All models receive hill descent control and hill start assist,
plus a BorgWarner torque-on-demand system, while the Eaton rear diff lock in Luxe variants
kicks in automatically when required in low range at speeds under 30 kilometres an hour.
While the transfer case shifts between high and low range with impressive speed and conviction,
the T60 MAX does make quite a range of pronounced mechanical noises as it determined how to best
direct its available torque, and as it engages and disengages its diff lock,
though you get accustomed to the cacophony soon enough. The suspension does a competent job in
both slow technical terrain and at higher speeds over corrugations, while axle articulation seems
pretty healthy too. In general, the ute gave a good account of its off-road abilities at our
local off-road test venue, doing all we asked of it, and with a reasonable degree of proficiency.
We'll reserve final judgment until we've put its towing and load carrying credentials to the test.
But as a package, so far, it's shaping up well.
Of course, the area where the LDV really shines is price. The T60 MAX is now
$5000 dearer across the range, but it still undercuts its established rivals by about 20%.
And it's all backed by a five-year, 130,000-kilometre factory warranty
with complementary roadside assistance. The bottom line, this is a lot of dual-cab ute for the money,
even with the updated model's lift in pricing. And with a significant dose of extra performance,
one of the model's previous shortcomings has been comprehensively addressed.
So should you buy one instead of a Ford Ranger or a Toyota Hilux?
They're Australia's most popular utes for many good reasons,
including their comprehensive after-sales networks and their robust resale values. It
all depends on how big your budget is. But, based on LDV's bold power grab with this new T60 MAX,
we can say there's now yet another reason to give this value-packed option some close consideration.