LDV refreshes T60 ute for 2023

LDV has launched its new for 2023 T60 Max ute range with a boost to standard equipment, a price increase and a longer seven-year warranty.

Following the lead of the newly-announced Mifa people mover earlier in the week, the manufacturer warranty on the T60 is up from five years or 130,000km for MY22, to seven years or 200,000km for the new MY23 variant.

Prices are up around $4200 across the board, or 10 per cent, compared with the outgoing MY22 T60.

LDV claims that the Pro contains $2600 of additional value, while the additional kit in Luxe inclusions is valued at more than $5000.

The brand has noticed “a growing shift from still-expensive second-hand HiLuxes to a new T60”, according to LDV Australia public relations consultant Oliver Peagam.

Both the T60 Pro and Luxe now have a soft-release tailgate, and updated leather steering wheel with paddle-shift manual override controls for the optional eight-speed automatic transmission. 

The entry-level T60 Pro variant now has wider, newly designed side steps, full chrome sports bar and roof rails.

Meanwhile the T60 Luxe has gained body coloured door mirrors as well asblack-painted 19-inch alloys, wheel arches, side steps, roof rails, and rear sports bar.

The T60 continues with the five-star ANCAP safety rating it received in 2017, although it still lacks key safety aids such as auto emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring or rear cross-traffic alert.

It does have six airbags, rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and a driver fatigue reminder, while the T60 MAX Luxe adds a 360-degree camera system and lane departure warning.

The MY23 T60 launch in New South Wales included a brief drive on highway, dirt and off-road.

As before, the 2.0-litre, 160kW/500Nm four-cylinder bi-turbo diesel has considerable lag off the line, followed by a strong if not exceptional mid-range pull considering it occupies the top of the engine output tree among four-cylinder utes. 

Ride quality is best described as firm, with none of the supple compliance of the mid-range let alone class-leading utes. The interior is suitably large and the tray offers a decent load space. 

While the advantage of having all-wheel traction on any surface with its BorgWarner four-wheel drive system is to be commended, its (literally) clunky operation off-road as the system releases to avoid differential binding is a bit distracting to say the least.

This refresh comes just a year after the T60 received a substantial update, which included new HiLux-like exterior styling, refreshed interior features and revised engine.

It remains unchanged under the bonnet, the four-cylinder diesel teamed to a six-speed manual gearbox or optional eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.

Official fuel consumption figures remain 9.2L/100km and 9./3L/100km for manual and auto respectively.

The T60 Max also continues with its torque on demand permanent four-wheel-drive system with high- and low-range gearing as well as an on-demand rear diff lock. Payload is 935kg (Pro) and 750kg (Luxe) while all variants can tow up to 3000kg (braked).

LDV’s 92 dealerships across Australia are receiving stock of the 2023 LDV T60 Max now.

2023 LDV T60 MAX pricing*

*National drive-away price