2024 LDV T60 Max Plus overview

The LDV T60 Max Plus is right here, and it seems to be nearly like a new-generation tackle this Chinese language ute.

That’s as a result of it has a distinct entrance finish design that units it other than the opposite fashions within the vary, and on the within it’s a vastly extra spectacular cabin with a pair of massive screens, new controls and a heap extra wow issue.

Talking of wow, this ute has coil-spring rear suspension as a substitute of the leaf-spring setup of the cheaper work-focused fashions under it, to not point out a revised engine and transmission tune for the carryover powertrain to make it extra usable on the day by day, in keeping with LDV.

How does the LDV T60 evaluate?

View an in depth breakdown of the LDV T60 in opposition to equally sized automobiles.

LDV

T60

How a lot does the LDV T60 value?

The prevailing variations of the LDV T60 Max stay, so it could be higher to point out you the place the brand new Max Plus mannequin sits in context of the present line-up, and I’ve bolded them so you may see the worth soar.

The automobile examined right here is the standard-length T60 Max Plus auto. 

To see how the LDV T60 stacks up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability device.

What’s the LDV T60 like on the within?

Speak about a dramatic change.

In comparison with the present variations of the T60, the inside of the T60 Max Plus might properly appear to be an all-new ute.

It isn’t. And there are nonetheless some ergonomic points, like the dearth of attain adjustment for the steering wheel and the marginally odd seat-base peak, which feels such as you’re sitting on stool. 

However for many who need the view from up excessive, and may cope with a number of the quirky design components to this new design, it could possibly be a pleasant spot.

For instance, the auto fashions don’t have a conventional gear selector, anymore. Just like the MIFA people-mover, the T60 Max Plus now has a column-shift selector much like a Mercedes-Benz – belief me, it takes some getting used to.

It additionally has an ‘every part’ stalk on the left of the steering column, with high-beam gentle management, wipers, windscreen washer and blinkers all managed by way of it.

Should you’re questioning about the primary lighting controls, like turning off the headlights or working a dipped-beam? That’s accomplished by way of the media display screen. For some consumers, notably these within the nation, that could possibly be a deal-breaker.

Likewise, the haptic management panel bar under the display screen together with your fan and air-con (together with demister entrance and rear) could possibly be a turn-off, as tradies and farmers who put on gloves may wrestle to get to phrases with it. 

At the very least the auto mannequin will get a wi-fi cellphone charging pad, and wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, whereas the guide variations (which don’t have a column shifter) make do with a wired connection and no wi-fi charger.

The motive force cluster display screen isn’t as characteristic wealthy as some others on the market, nevertheless it does provide a crisp show in your digital pace readout.

The 12.3-inch touchscreen media unit is an enormous enchancment over the present show, however the menus take some studying. Like, you’d suppose there could possibly be a button for seat heating? There’s not, it’s by way of the display screen.

Fortunately there’s a house display screen show that permits you to shortly activate the driving force’s seat heating on chilly mornings. There’s additionally only a good old school button for the steering wheel heating.

The touchscreen has menus to toggle local weather controls, and there are just a few menus of configurable controls like security settings and different automobile changes. It’s not overwhelming, nevertheless it isn’t easy both. At the very least it’s actually fast to reply to contact inputs, and it additionally reconnected flawlessly with my Apple iPhone each time I obtained again in.

Cabin storage is first rate, with the shift to a column-shifter now permitting a heap extra centre console house. There’s a beautiful marble-like texture on the lid between the seats, and under it you’ll discover a pair of cupholders which may be eliminated to offer you an enormous, deep hidey-hole – a pleasant spot to retailer some money away from the apprentice maybe.

There’s additionally a coated centre console bin with a few charging factors, and the doorways nonetheless characteristic first rate bottle holders. However there aren’t any pop-out cupholders anymore, regardless of the actual fact the sprint has been reworked with a lot nicer textures and finishes. 

Now, these seats? They’re electrically adjustable for each front-seat riders, heated too, and have an honest quantity of consolation to them. It’s partly actual leather-based apparently, and the purple stitching? It’s an acquired style.

There’s a formidable quantity of cabin house although, with extra knee room than lots of the large title utes. At 182cm or 6’0” I managed to comfortably sit behind my very own driving place with room to wiggle my legs and ft, and I had a few inches of clearance above my head.

There’s a small transmission tunnel intrusion between the again seats, however you may match three adults throughout the again if it’s worthwhile to.

Plus, there are ISOFIX factors within the window seats, and devoted outboard top-tether factors which is an enormous tick for folks on the market who know what a wrestle it’s to get a prime tether accomplished as much as a degree that makes you are feeling assured. Many different utes simply have a single attachment level behind the middle-seat headrest.

Rear riders get directional air-vents, a single USB-A charging level, map pockets within the seatbacks, a fold-down armrest with cupholders, and bottle holders within the doorways. You may as well fold up the bottom of the bench seat for additional dry storage for those who aren’t utilizing the spots for baby seats, or you may fold down the seat backrest too.

Interested by size? The distinction between the traditional variations and the Mega Tub is sizeable. The Mega Tub is 5710mm lengthy, some 315mm lengthier than the usual ute. It additionally has a sizeable 3490mm wheelbase, up from 3175mm in different variations.

As you’d count on, the bathtub size is significantly bigger – 1800mm on the ground for the Mega Tub, in contrast with 1485mm for normal variations. Different tub measurements are unchanged: width – 1510mm; wheel arch hole – 1131mm; depth – 530mm.

To see how the LDV T60 stacks up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability device.

What’s below the bonnet?

Powering the LDV T60 Max Plus is a 2.0-litre bi-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine producing 160kW of energy (4000rpm) and 500Nm of torque (1500-2400rpm). These are robust outputs – on par with a four-cylinder Volkswagen Amarok or Ford Ranger in reality.

However the Amarok and Ranger fashions which have these outputs don’t include a guide possibility, whereas you will get one right here – the selection is the cheaper six-speed guide, or an eight-speed computerized transmission from ZF.

Additional, for the Max Plus, LDV says it has remapped the engine software program “to make sure a extra linear supply of that energy”.

4-wheel drive is commonplace, with 2H high-range rear-wheel drive, 4H high-range, 4L low-range, and an Auto mode that makes use of “Clever Actual-Time Torque on demand from BorgWarner” to apportion grunt the place it’s wanted most, and there’s an on-demand rear differential lock system.

The official mixed cycle gas consumption for the T60 Max Plus is 9.3 litres per 100km for the guide, and the auto is now rated at 8.9 litres per 100km (down from 9.3L in cheaper fashions).

My take a look at drive included a run of freeway, open street, city and gradual pace driving, and I threw 500kg of sandbags within the again to do a load take a look at.

On the show I noticed 10.3L/100km, which is a smidge decrease than final time I drove a T60 (10.4L/100km, and I didn’t do a load take a look at then…). The T60 has a 73-litre gas tank.

The payload for current Luxe fashions ranges between 730kg and 750kg, relying on the spec, whereas the Professional variants vary between 925kg and 935kg.

All LDV T60s have a 750kg unbraked towing capability and 3000kg braked, which is decrease than most utes within the class, but additionally arguably extra real looking.

The gross automobile mass (GVM) is 3050kg for the brand new Max Plus fashions, whereas the gross mixture mass (GCM) is 6050kg.

How does the LDV T60 drive?

There are just a few important variations between this mannequin and others within the vary, however don’t count on a quantum shift in the way in which this ute behaves itself on the street.

It’s not tremendous delicate now as a result of it’s obtained coil spring rear suspension. Actually, it was shocking to me how agency it nonetheless felt with no load within the tub, however with that firmness comes a extra predictable and likeable driving method, as a result of it’s not crashy or harsh.

Actually, it makes automobiles just like the HiLux really feel a bit rudimentary when it comes to trip high quality and luxury. In my intensive ute-testing expertise, I’d say it’s on par with the Navaras and Tritons of the world.

Experience consolation is enormously improved with a load in, as I discovered after I put 500kg of sandbags in because of my mates at Decrease Mountains Panorama Provides.

It exhibited far much less of the springy, multiple-rebound motion that I felt in an current T60 take a look at, and certainly the settled nature of the suspension was a really surefooted and safe feeling. It took pace humps properly, and the rear-end sagged solely a smidge (about 5cm) with that quantity of weight on board.

There’s extra to the way in which the ute feels, too, with extra predictable steering and dynamics because of the extra subtle rear suspension. It’s not like an SUV to drive, nevertheless it definitely isn’t embarrassed in driving manners.

Nonetheless, that’s regardless of the actual fact the model has fitted Giti 4×4 HT152 tyres to this ute (265/60/R18) rather than the present and glorious Continental tyres. These aren’t pretty much as good because the latter, however they do the job sufficiently sufficient.

The revision to the engine software program clearly has had an affect on the drive, however maybe not as large because it ought to have.

Whereas the engine is first rate and clean sufficient below gentle and mid-throttle software at tempo, and even reacts decently whenever you plant your foot to overhaul on the freeway, it isn’t pretty much as good because it could possibly be in stop-start driving.

Whenever you’re on and off the throttle there’s nonetheless some notable lag, and for those who spend hours of your day driving in visitors you may get sick of it.

The eight-speed auto from ZF can be decently tuned, nevertheless it feels at odds with the engine at instances, holding gears longer than chances are you’ll count on in some conditions. That was a personality trait I criticised within the pre-updated mannequin too. 

And, it’s loud. LDV might declare to have fitted further sound-deadening between the engine and the cabin, however bloody hell, they might have tripled the quantity of noise foil.

It’s nonetheless actually rattly and loud, notably from a chilly begin and at low speeds. However fortunately, there’s little noise at freeway tempo and little or no wind or street noise for a ute like this.

Furthermore, the powertrain felt smoother and smarter with a load on board, with cleverer shifts and extra linear feeling torque supply over hilly roads as much as 60km/h.

The four-wheel disc brakes felt higher suited to non-loaded driving although, with a little bit of a squelchy pedal really feel with additional mass within the again.

Whereas surround-view digicam system looks like a large win on paper, the standard is poor and the lens is badly affected by fog, dust and direct daylight. Such a disgrace as a result of it could possibly be nice tech, nevertheless it simply appears like a nook was reduce to avoid wasting value.

On the entire, for those who’re pondering the coil-sprung LDV isn’t going to be as much as the duty of onerous work, I’d say you finest suppose once more – it was higher than I anticipated.

What do you get?

The Max Plus fashions have some comparable specs to the opposite fashions within the vary, however ensure you take a look at the official specs sheet to see the main points.

LDV T60 Max Plus guide highlights:

• Lockable tailgate
• Spray-in tub liner
• 18-inch alloy wheels in 265/60R18HT tyres
• Metal spare in 245/65R17 tyre
• Tyre stress monitoring
• Locking rear differential
• Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors
• Proximity entry with push-button begin
• Computerized LED headlights
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Hill descent management
• 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• 12.3-inch driver instrumentation show
• 3 x USB ports
• 6-speaker sound system
• Local weather management air con
• Rear air vents
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• 6-way power-adjustable entrance seats
• Heated entrance seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Leather-based upholstery

T60 Max Plus auto provides:

• Wi-fi charging pad
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
• Paddle shifters

T60 Max Plus Mega Tub auto provides:

• Longer wheelbase (3490mm v 3175mm)
• Longer tub (1800mm v 1485mm)

Is the LDV T60 secure?

The previous LDV T60 managed a five-star ANCAP security ranking in 2017, with that ranking legitimate till the tip of 2024.

It obtained 14.46 out of 16 for the frontal offset take a look at, 16.00 out of 16 for the aspect affect take a look at, 2 out of two for the pole take a look at, 3 out of three for seat belt reminders, good whiplash safety, acceptable pedestrian safety. The general rating was 35.46 out of 37.

Normal security tools consists of:

• 6 airbags – entrance, front-side and curtain
• Reversing digicam
• Rear parking sensors
• Fatigue reminder
• Consideration help

T60 Max Luxe provides:

• Lane departure warning (Auto)
• Encompass-view digicam

T60 Max Plus guide provides:

T60 Max Plus auto provides:

• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) – 8-160km/h
• Lane-keep help – above 60km/h

How a lot does the LDV T60 value to run?

This ute comes with a seven-year/200,000km guarantee, which is healthier than loads of rivals with 5 years cowl. There’s additionally roadside help included for 5 years.

Nonetheless, one factor that also hasn’t modified is LDV Australia’s strategy to capped-price servicing.

There’s nonetheless no preset pricing for upkeep, which takes the guesswork out of working prices for enterprise and personal consumers alike. It’s a disgrace as LDV is likely one of the few manufacturers left in Australia that doesn’t have a capped-price servicing program.

However as I’ve discovered prior to now, for those who focus on the continuing prices together with your dealership, you must be capable of get an thought of anticipated upkeep prices.

CarExpert’s Tackle the LDV T60

The brand new LDV T60 Max Plus is undoubtedly the very best model of the Chinese language ute to this point.

It’s extra comfy in a mixture of unladen driving, higher with a load, extra attractive inside, and has a meaner look to the outside too.

There’s nonetheless room for enchancment, nevertheless it comes throughout as an honest reasonably priced possibility within the dual-cab ute house.

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