2022 LDV T60 Max price and specs

The LDV T60 has won over a lot of ute buyers over the last few years thanks in large part to cheap prices. Now it’s time for a mid-life update, badged T60 Max.

This new model has a redesigned front end, a much-needed new centre touchscreen, and a much beefier new bi-turbo diesel engine with an eight-speed automatic option.

As ever it’s pitched as an alternative to a used Ranger or HiLux – vehicles that right now seem to depreciating very slowly – or fellow bargain pickups the GWM Ute and SsangYong Musso.

LDV is part of the SAIC Motor group, China’s largest auto-maker, and is distributed across Australia by Ateco.

The popularity of the T60 has grown since launch in 2017: the company has sold 5187 this year, equal to 3.5 per cent market share of the booming 4×4 ute segment.

The T60’s sales this year are up 59 per cent.

Pricing

LDV advertises different drive-away pricing for ABN holders and non-ABN holders.

T60 Max Pro manual: $33,990 (ABN), $35,779 (private)
T60 Max Pro auto: $35,990 (ABN), $37,884 (private)
T60 Max Luxe manual: $38,490 (ABN), $40,516 (private)
T60 Max Luxe auto: $40,490 (ABN), $42,621 (private)

To use LDV’s parlance, a Ranger XL is 53 per cent more expensive than a T60 Pro Auto. Of course, you’re equally likely to be looking at the used classifieds for a Ranger to compare.

Drive-away prices listed

Engine

The new four-cylinder diesel engine is much more powerful than either of the two used in the pre-update T60. It claims to out-power the Ranger and HiLux – and matches their peak torque.

The 2.0-litre bi-turbo was developed in house by LDV’s parent SAIC Motor, and produces an impressive 160kW of power and 500Nm torque from 1500rpm. Towing capacity is 3000kg – 500kg down on the class best.

It’s mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual, and uses a new torque-on-demand (meaning set and forget) variable 4WD system for on- and off-road use.

A dial lets you override and select rear-drive (conventional 2H), high-speed 4WD with a 50:50 torque split (4H), and low-range gearing (4L).

Automatic models have Eco and Power drive modes that change the gear shift characteristics to be more or less aggressive.

The Luxe grade adds a rear locking diff that’s design to self-engage below 30km/h when the T60’s onboard brain detects a spinning rear wheel. You can’t engage it yourself.

As young brands tend to do, LDV talks up its tier 1 supply partners: there’s Bosch fuel injection, a ZF automatic, and BorgWarner torque-on-demand.

Fuel economy

Fuel consumption on the combined cycle is 9.2L/100km for the manual and 9.3L/100km for the automatic. The engine meets Euro 5 emission standards. The tank is 73L.

Dimensions

The T60 is 5365mm long (35mm longer than a HiLux), 1809mm tall, 1900mm wide and 3155mm between the axles.

The rear overhang is 1268mm, and the tub measures 1510mm wide by 530mm deep by 1525mm long. There’s 1131mm of room between the wheel housings.

The T60’s approach angle is 27 degrees, its departure angle is 24.2 degrees, its clearance is 215mm, its turning circle is 12.6m, the maximum wading depth is 550mm, and the kerb weight is between 2125kg and 2150kg.

T60s use hydraulic power steering, ride on 17-inch wheels with Giti tyres, have disc brakes at both ends, and use double-wishbone front suspension. The base T60 Pro uses “heavy duty” rear leaf springs whereas the Luxe uses “comfort” leaves.

As such there are variable payloads of 925kg-935kg for the Pro, down to 750kg for the Luxe.

The suspension is tuned by Walkinshaw specifically for Australia.

There’s no word yet on an updated version of the longer-tub model.

Safety

The T60 carries over the 2017 ANCAP five-star crash rating and has six airbags including full-length side curtains. The back seats have top tethers and ISOFIX anchors.

However there’s very little active safety equipment – only audible lane-departure alert. There’s no autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist or blind-spot monitoring, which puts it behind the curve.