2023 LDV T60 review: Full range detailed

Outright value has been a key component of the T60’s appeal since arriving here in 2017.

With the most recent refresh, the updated MY2023 diesel range was joined by the T60’s halo model and Australia’s first all-electric ute, the eT60. The MY2023 refresh also reintroduced the biggest and most expensive T60 Max diesel model, the Megatub.

The T60 is offered as a five-seater dual-cab with either a torque-on-demand 4x4 powertrain or as a 2WD electric vehicle. While the four-cylinder bi-turbo diesel-powered T60 has a small displacement of just 2.0 litres, its claimed outputs are among the best in class, with 160kW and 500Nm on offer.

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However, its 3000kg (braked) maximum towing capacity is lower than typical of the ute category, for which a 3500kg towing capacity is now the norm.

The LDV has among the best warranties on the market, with all diesel-powered models treated to seven years/200,000km of cover, while roadside assist is free for the first five years, with unlimited kilometres, for all T60s.

Electric eT60s have a five-year/160,000km warranty, with an eight-year/160,000km battery warranty.

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JUMP AHEAD

• Pricing
• What body styles are available for the LDV T60?
• What features are standard in every LDV T60?
• What key features do I get if I spend more?
• How safe is the LDV T60?
• How comfortable and practical is the LDV T60?
• How big is the tray/tub?
• I like driving – will I enjoy this car?
• Which LDV T60 engine uses the least fuel?
• What is the LDV T60’s towing capacity?
• How long is the warranty and what are the LDV T60’s servicing costs?
• Which version of the LDV T60 does Wheels recommend?
• What are the LDV T60’s key rivals?

Pricing

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What body styles are available for the LDV T60?

Unlike some of its competitors, the T60 is not offered with single- or extended-cab options and nor does it offer a cheaper cab-chassis alternative for those who need or wish to fit their own bespoke tray or service body.

Only a dual-cab pick-up is offered although, for those who need more pick-up tray length, there is the Megatub model.

The T60 is classed as a light commercial vehicle and drives either its rear wheels (the 4x2 eT60 model only) or all four wheels as a dual-range, torque-on-demand 4x4 (Pro, Luxe or Megatub).

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What features are standard in every LDV T60?

The features listed below are standard in the entry-level model and will appear in higher-grade models, unless replaced by more premium equivalent features.

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What key features do I get if I spend more?

The entry model to the T60 range, the T60 Max Pro, has cloth seats, a 10.25-inch touchscreen and 17-inch alloy wheels.

It comes as standard with the 2.0-litre diesel engine, a six-speed manual gearbox and a dual-range, torque-on-demand four-wheel-drive system.

An eight-speed automatic transmission is available at extra cost.

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For extra features, you could spend more for a T60 Max Luxe.

The Luxe is available with the same 2.0-litre diesel, standard manual or optional auto and the torque-on-demand four-wheel drive powertrain.

However, the Luxe has softer ‘Comfort’ suspension. Then there is the Megatub, based on the Luxe automatic, but with a longer tray. For something quite different, the (much) more costly eT60, an all-electric rear-wheel drive dual-cab ute.

The T60 Max Luxe also brings

Paying more again for a Megatub gets you those features plus:

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The eT60, the most expensive version, swaps out the turbo-diesel 4x4 powertrain with a 4x2 battery-electric system. Loosely based on Pro equipment level, key differences include:

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How safe is the LDV T60?

Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) is still not included on any T60 model. Other key active safety equipment, such as blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning is also absent.

However, the LDV does provide the safety basics such as anti-lock brakes, a reversing camera and rear parking sensors. The T60 Max Luxe adds lane departure warning to the armoury.

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Dusk-sensing headlights, six airbags, tyre pressure monitoring and (mandatory) stability control complete the standard package.

The T60 Max does carry a five-star ANCAP rating, however, it was achieved back in 2017. Under today’s stricter testing protocols, it’s unlikely the T60 would be a five-star vehicle. The eT60 has not been rated for crash safety.

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How comfortable and practical is the LDV T60?

It might be a budget-focused ute but initially, at least, the T60 Max certainly doesn’t feel cheap when you jump inside the cabin.

There’s a large 10.25-inch central touchscreen and the steering wheel now features an updated design that includes shift paddles for auto versions.

General ambience and design are also pleasing and the LDV is not an ergonomic nightmare: all major controls are easy to rustle up.

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There’s no big, widescreen dash here, with the analogue instruments sitting around a small LCD screen a bit early 2000s.

However, there’s ample interior storage, courtesy of large door bins and two central cup holders. Connectivity is decent, too, thanks to twin USB-A ports and standard (wired) Apple CarPlay. Android Auto isn't featured natively.

The large central screen is also quick to respond and features clear graphics, although the resolution of the reversing camera isn’t as high as some rivals.

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There are other missteps, too.

A lack of reach adjustment for the steering wheel means the driving position always feels a touch off, no matter how you adjust the seat, which itself lacks under-thigh support – a potential issue on long trips.

While the general sense of quality is acceptable, it’s easy to encounter hard and scratchy interior plastics.

The back seat is impressively roomy, though. Some dual-cab utes have squishy second rows but the T60 Max can easily ferry about four six-foot adults in relative comfort.

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How big is the tray/tub?

As for its ability to lug a load, the T60’s tray is well-sized and measures 1525mm long (at the top of the box), 1510mm wide (1131mm between the wheelarches) and 530mm deep.

The Megatub is identical in all measurements except length, which extends to 1800mm. Meanwhile, the eT60 has a different length again, at 1485mm (L). A spray-in tub liner is included with all models, as are four tie-down points.

A large step is integrated into the rear bumper, too, which is useful for reaching things in the back without dropping the tailgate.

One key thing to remember is the Luxe has a payload of 750kg, whereas the Pro’s 935kg rating makes it the variant to pick if you intend to load up the tray with heavy items for work or long camping trips.

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I like driving – will I enjoy this car?

This is where the T60’s appeal starts to dip a touch. There’s certainly room for improvement with the LDV’s dynamics.

We are focused on impressions from the T60 Max Luxe here, the most logical T60 for private buyers and with its comfort suspension, the most car-like to drive – although, as we’ll discover, it’s not particularly car-like, even for a ute.

As well as the lack of reach adjustment for the steering wheel making the driving position less than ideal, the steering itself also lacks feel and has a large dead spot off centre.

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It’s not devoid of feedback – there’s actually quite a lot of vibration and kickback that comes back through the wheel – it’s just lacking the type of reassuring feel and connection you might expect.

Despite the Luxe’s more comfort-oriented suspension setup, the unladen ride is also skittish and stiff-legged on its larger 19-inch wheels. We’re yet to test the T60 Max with a load in the back to see if that improves things, but let’s just say there are other utes that don’t ride nearly as sharply unladen.

Happily, road noise is pretty well contained and engine noise intrusion is impressively muted when the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel is at idle.

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For all the T60's on-paper performance numbers, it’s actually quite tricky to tap into the diesel engine’s full potential. Max power is made high in the rev range and response is a bit sluggish below 2500rpm.

It also suffers from noticeable off-idle lag. On the move, it’s easier to access the muscular top end when optioned with the quick-thinking ZF eight-speed automatic (overtaking performance is reassuringly strong) but the diesel unit can get quite vocal under heavy load.

The powertrain’s peaky nature is also a weakness off-road. During steep low-speed inclines or when tackling trickier obstacles, it can be difficult to maintain a constant throttle as the engine comes on and off boost. However, with the torque multiplication effect with low-range gearing selected, this all-or-nothing result is not as pronounced.

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Some improvements to traction control calibration would also benefit the T60, especially in off-road scenarios where they can feel heavy-handed.

The Borg Warner on-demand centre diff is noisy and generally lacks the sophistication of even the more simple part-time systems used almost exclusively elsewhere in the 4x4 ute market.

In fact, in just about every dynamic discipline the T60 is towards the bottom of the current dual-cab pack. The good news is that LDV’s track record shows it is willing to quickly update and improve its products. Here’s hoping the next iteration benefits from some additional dynamic polish and refinement.

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Which LDV T60 engine uses the least fuel?

The 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine with six-speed manual uses the least fuel, at 9.2 litres/100km on the official test (city and country combined).

Paired with an eight-speed automatic, combined fuel use rises to 9.3L/100km.

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A 73-litre fuel tank is used across the range except, of course, for the eT60.

Speaking of the eT60, this wholly EV model uses a claimed 268.5 Wh/km, with a WLTP range of 330km. Top speed is a claimed 120km/h.

LDV says the eT60’s battery can be charged from 20 to 80 per cent in 45 minutes using an 80kW DC fast charger or from 5-100 per cent in about nine hours using an 11kW AC wallbox charger.

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What is the LDV T60’s towing capacity?

Both the LDV T60 Max Pro and Luxe have a braked towing capacity of 3000kg, of which up to 10 per cent (300kg) can be placed on the tow ball.

The eT60 has a 1000kg towing capacity, again with 10 per cent on the tow ball (100kg) as a maximum.

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How long is the warranty and what are the LDV T60’s servicing costs?

LDV ships the T60 with one of the industry’s longest factory warranties – seven years/200,000km of cover (eT60: five years/160,000km), while roadside assist is free for the first five years (unlimited kilometres) for all T60s.

The eT60 battery warranty is eight years/160,000km. The LDV T60 is one of very few vehicles that does not have any manufacturer capped-price service offer.

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Which version of the LDV T60 does Wheels recommend?

Given that all models (except the eT60) are a solid $5K cheaper than the nearest rival (and $10K-plus cheaper than most) it is not hard to pick the T60 Max Luxe Automatic as the best of the bunch.

It offers everything features-wise, only topped by the Megatub, if tray capacity is more important than easier urban parking.

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What are the LDV T60’s key rivals?

• Ford Ranger
• GWM Ute Cannon X
• Isuzu D-MAX
• Mazda BT-50
• Mitsubishi Triton
• Nissan Navara
• Ssangyong Musso
• Toyota HiLux
• Volkswagen Amarok

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