The Isuzu D-MAX X-RIDER has wowed experts at one of Australia’s longest running automotive publishers, to receive the prestigious "Best Dual-Cab Utes 2025: Best Value" honour in the Wheels Best Ute Awards.
Looking beyond price alone, Wheels analysed Australia’s leading dual-cab utes to determine what genuinely presents long-term value, weighing features for a holistic indication of how much each ute actually costs to own and operate.
Emerging strongly ahead of six finalists, the X-RIDER was assessed across criteria including standard features, interior, infotainment, fuel economy, towing capacity, tray size, warranty and servicing, with judges declaring “Isuzu is clearly doing something very right”.
Wheels' judiciary offered praise for the X-RIDER’s 3.0-litre engine with 140kW and 450Nm as “money very well spent”, along with the model’s relative sophistication, efficiency, and trim options. Also noted were the D-MAX's excellent safety equipment and “modern and feature-packed cabin”.
“With a thriving owner community and a wide range of accessories available,” said Wheels, “plus parts support in some of the more remote reaches of Australia, the D-MAX does a lot to appeal to those who prize capability and aren’t afraid to take their ute off the beaten track.”
This award was warmly received by Isuzu UTE Australia (IUA). “This is a reflection of our efforts to listen to our loyal customers and the strength of the Isuzu D-MAX in Australia,” said IUA Managing Director, Mr Junta Matsui. “It is also validation of IUA’s commitment to responding to feedback, to make sure we deliver what our customers need for work or play in one of the world’s most competitive ute markets.”
“We would like to thank the judges, Wheels, as well as all of our customers, for this wonderful result.”
The D-MAX X-RIDER’s 3.0L turbo diesel delivers its 140kW/450Nm combination via a six-speed automatic 4WD transmission, officially returning 8.0L/100km, with, said Wheels testers, “under 7.0L/100km fuel consumption easy to achieve on highways”.
D-MAX finished 2024 as the 4th best-selling vehicle overall, as well as charting 3rd in the dominant ‘1-tonne Ute LCV’ segment with 30,194 vehicles delivered. Isuzu UTE Australia was Australia’s 8th best-selling vehicle brand in 2024, with the brand finishing in the country’s Top 10 for overall sales for the third straight year.
For more information on our award winning ute, visit the D-MAX X-RIDER page.