Readers’ Rides

Been going your own way? Tell us about it—and win.

STEWART KEANE LIVES: CAMDEN, NSW DRIVES: 2021 D-MAX 4X4 LS-U

“We didn’t waste any time getting to know our new D-MAX. We left a week after we got it and travelled all through NSW, from Camden to Oberon, Nyngan to Cobar, then on to White Cliffs. Then to Broken Hill and Silverton. Then we headed on to Menindee, crossed the border into Victoria, and went through Mildura to Swan Hill. Oh, and we ducked into South Australia, too! The D-MAX didn’t miss a beat, towing our 16ft Avan 499 HT BUNKS caravan with ease. It was awesome, mate—I’ve had plenty of new cars in my 50 years and it’s a beast of a thing. The best car I’ve ever had!”

KEVIN & REBECCA HOPKINSON LIVES: DAMPIER, WA DRIVES: 2021 D-MAX 4X4 LS-M

“Last year we shifted back to the Pilbara and decided our old dual-cab required updating to provide the reliable wheels that you really do need in this remote environment. A lot of places are five hours away on remote roads, so a key feature for me was always going to be a reliable motor—and Isuzu’s reputation for durability is well known. Our new D-MAX is everything we’d hoped for and we’ve already had some great coastal camps to remote Pilbara beaches. They have really soft sand, so a good 4WD is a necessity, but there are lots of free camping spots—and where we go there’s a reef and rockpools out the front and plenty of oysters to eat. Plus, the D-MAX tows the van and handles corrugations on the dirt roads like a dream!”

KIM RUSS LIVES: MERINGANDAN WEST, QLD / DRIVES: 2019 MU-X 4X4 LS-U

“The new and the old! Our MU-X has a different job to most. We needed to upgrade our towing vehicle to haul our three vintage tractors to rallies and shows. My partner had a tractor that was sitting in the shed for 13 years, so we pulled it out and restored it and we just got the bug. With its three-tonne towing capacity the MU-X handles the towing with ease—and with plenty of space for all the extras. This photo was taken at the Downs Vintage Machinery Club’s Tractor Trek in February in Goombungee. What’s tractor trekking? It’s like a car rally, but for tractors. You go through paddocks and creek crossings and climb up mountains and stop for smoko and then head off again. The tractor is a 1965 International B414—but the pride of our fleet is a 1937 Lanz Bulldog Model J back at home! We tow the best with the best.”

MARK JONES LIVES: RUSHWORTH, VIC DRIVES: 2021 D-MAX 4X4 X-TERRAIN

“My D-MAX story starts when we had some friends visit for Easter and they wanted to take a day trip to the Vic High country. So we loaded up the mighty D-MAX and my friend prepared his own ute. We got to Mansfield, had smoko and then headed for Craig’s Hut, perched up on Mt Stirling. Halfway up Mt Buller it started to snow, so we left the blacktop and went four-wheel driving. In about 100mm of snow we made it to Craig’s Hut, then went further offroad up the back of Mt Stirling—after having to tow my mate through a couple of spots! Of course, we didn’t get stuck in the D-MAX! All I can say is this thing is a great ute and I’m planning to do it all again soon.”

MICHAEL ROACH LIVES: WINTER VALLEY, VIC DRIVES: 2021 D-MAX 4X4 X-TERRAIN

“As a mechanic I get to test drive and work on a lot of cars. Over the years I’ve always liked the D-MAX— a friend of mine had a first-generation and I was impressed with its performance. After my previous ute broke, and with me having health issues, I decided to hold off getting another vehicle … but then when I saw the third-generation D-MAX on a YouTube video, I thought, ‘That’s my next ute’. Patience paid off! I got my health back on track and here I am today, driving my dream car. I love the look and am very impressed with how it drives—it’s comfortable, it’s good on fuel and it turns heads wherever I go. Now it’s time to build a camper-trailer and get out there to explore this wonderful country. I can literally go my own way!”