LDV T60 Trailrider Limited Edition Review

LDV T60 LE Trailrider Overview

 LDV first brought their Utes to Australia in 2017 with the premise of outstanding value for money. However Australians have some unique needs from their Utes, not the least, specific suspension requirements.

The LDV T60 LE Trailrider is developed by the Walkinshaw Automotive Group in Melbourne, the suspension calibration has been refined to produce ride and handling that is more in tune with Australian consumer preferences.

Limited to 650 vehicles, the T60 not only has retuned suspension but a host of additional equipment as well.

LDV T60 LE Trailrider Exterior

Based on the range topping LDV T60 LUXE, the Trailrider arrives in dual cab, four-wheel drive as standard with a choice six speed manual or automatic gearboxes.

Black is the theme of our test vehicle with Black Alloys, grill, nudge bar, side steps and decals. The grill is a little different and takes a bit of acclimatizing to, but overall it actually looks pretty good

The T60’s tub is lined as standard with a tough, hardwearing and durable liner, with a total of six load tie down points, four at low level and two on the tub rim. There is also a lockable Mountain Top roller tonneau cover. Also included is a black sport bar and roof rails.

LDV T60 LE Trailrider Interior

Inside the T60 Trailrider is a mix of an abundance of bling and cheap plastics. The heated leather seats with contrasting stitching are comfortable, they are flat and hard and you tend to sit on them rather than in them. The both front seats are electronically adjustable, but with the leather steering wheel only height adjustable, it feels, for those with long legs, an uncomfortable stretch to hold it.

In front of the driver is a clear instrument binnacle, with white and red on black instruments and a large MFD in the centre of two dials. The steering wheel houses audio and cruise control buttons.

Where the interior is let down is the plastic feel of the dash, door trims and central tunnel. I know everything comes at a price and this is one of those things. The central transmission tunnel has two large cup holders, but square in shape, along with the controls for 4WD.

The central stack is dominated by the ten-inch touch screen. It is complimented by a row of buttons on its lower edge that operate the key functions and the audio volume control. This screen operates the T60’s built in audio system which plays through six front and rear speakers. The touch screen also supports smart phone mirroring via Bluetooth or one of the two USB ports

The ten-inch touch screen also provides the vision for the reversing camera, which has guide lines for steering wheel angle and the direction of the reversing T60, as well as the standard 360 degree camera that provides all-round safety visibility.

Rear passengers have excellent leg room for a Ute, with seats that are flat but comfortable. There is a pull down arm rest with cupholders and an additional set of air vents are at the back end of centre console unit. The T60’s rear seat back rest may be folded to provide an additional 705 litres of load space and have both Top Tether and IsoFix mounts for child seats.

Visibility is ok, but the thick ‘A’ pillars and wing mirrors do provide a blind spot. Over bonnet is good as is through the rear. Interior storage has some clever ideas such as the cup holders at either end of the dashboard, large door pockets that will also accommodate a small bottle, a roomy glovebox and reasonably sized centre console storage bin. The top makes some concessions to soft touch for the elbow. At the front of centre tunnel is a small pocket ahead of the USB ports and a card hold for items such as car park swipe cards.

LDV T60 LE Trailrider Features

Additional features for the T60 LE Trailrider include:

• 12 spoke 19 inch black wheels,
• black nudge bar,
• black sports bar,
• black side steps,
• Lockable Mountain Top roller tonneau for the load tray,
• Black grille, and
• Unique Trailrider decals for the sides, rear and bonnet.

Standard T60 features include:

• Ten-inch touch screen display with smart phone connection by Bluetooth or USB,
• Smart key for keyless entry and starting, a
• Roof rails,
• Power windows,
• Climate control air conditioning, and
• Self levelling and adaptive headlights,
• Cruise control,
• Automatic wipers,
• Auto dipping rear view mirror,
• Dusk sensing headlights,
• Heated door mirrors that fold automatically when the car is locked.

LDV T60 LE Trailrider Engine and Drivetrain

The LDV T60 range for Australia is powered by a 2.8 litre 4 cylinder Euro 5 Turbo Diesel engine that produces 110 kW @ 3400 rpm and a usefully flat torque curve with a maximum of 360 Nm of torque spread from 1600 to 2800 rpm.

This is matched to either a six speed manual or a six speed automatic gearbox.  We tested the automatic transmission. When matched to the automatic gearbox, the T60 may be driven in two modes, ECO and PWR, which are selected via the two buttons on the left-hand side of the centre console. ECO maximises fuel economy and low emissions, while PWR prioritizies performance using different gear shift programmes.

This enables the LDV T60 to offer a combined fuel consumption of 8.8 l/100 km in manual form and 9.6 l/100 km with the automatic gearbox fitted.

Trailrider has electronically engaged, four-wheel drive with high and low range and, like the LUXE, adds a rear on-demand differential lock. T60 is rated to tow up to three tonnes with a braked trailer.

The Australian tuned suspension features independent double wishbones at the front and leaf springs at the rear. The other notable feature is that the T60 has front and rear disc brakes, ventilated front and solid rear, something few Utes possess. Others like the SsangYong Musso also have them.

LDV T60 LE Trailrider Driving Experience

The first thing I noticed was that it felt underpowered and the engine was noisy. The delivery of torque at low revs helped, but I was constantly wishing for more. It felt like diesels of a few years ago. Combine this with steering that was a little detached and is was a different feel altogether from driving say an Amarok.

Other than engine noise, it was however relatively quiet inside and smooth riding over suburban roads. I hadn’t driven the standard suspension version, so I can’t comment on how much of an improvement the retuned suspension is, but its ok as it is. There are better riding Utes but they are more expensive.

The large central screen is a little fiddly to use, especially trying to get Apple CarPlay to work properly and consistently.

I did put a load in the back, and the suspension settled a touch, but the brakes seemed to struggle a touch as well. I didn’t have an opportunity to do any off road driving or beach driving this time unfortunately. Next time.

LDV T60 LE Trailrider Dimensions

LDV T60 is, with a length of 5.3 metres, width of 1.9 metres, and a height of 1.8 metres, at the larger end of the Ute sector. Wheelbase is 3155 mm. This enables it to have both a spacious cab for five people and offer a Tub that has a maximum length of 1.42 metres and a maximum width of 1.5 metres and a depth of 0.5 metres.

For off road use, the LDV T60 has a ground clearance of 215 mm and a wading depth of 550 mm, while its front and rear departure angles are 27 and 24.2 degrees respectively with a ramp over angle of 21.3 degrees. Fuel tank is 75L, turning circle is 12.6m kerb to kerb and the LDV T60 can tow up to 3000 kg with a braked trailer. Payload is 815Kg and GCM is 5950 kg.

LDV T60 LE Trailrider Safety

The LDV T60 has a five star ANCAP safety rating (2017) and boasts an impressive array of standard safety features such as:

Driver Assistance Features

• AFS self-adjusting headlights,
• LED daylight running lights, Fog lights
• Blind spot monitor warning system, (When a genuine tow bar and wiring are fitted, blind spot monitoring will be disabled.)
• Heated door mirrors,
• Self-dimming rear view mirror,
• Reversing camera and rear parking sensors,
• Tyre pressure monitors.

Active Safety Systems

• ABS anti-lock brakes are fitted with
  • Electronic Brake Assist (EBA),
  • Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD),
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC),
• Traction Control,
• Vehicle Dynamic Control,
• Hill Descent Control,
• Hill Start Assist,
• Roll Movement Intervention,
• Self-activating differential lock on the rear axle.

Passive Safety Systems

• Rigid passenger safety cell,
• Progressively deformable body and chassis section that absorbs the energy in an impact,
• Six air bags, one each for the driver and front seat passenger, side impact airbags integrated into the front seats and curtain airbags run the full length of either side of vehicle.
• The rear seat has both top tether points and IsoFix child seat restraint attachment points for three child seats or booster seats.

LDV T60 LE Trailrider Owner Benefits

The LDV T60 has a five years or 130,000 km warranty. LDV also included for the first time a loan car programme alongside the 24/7 roadside assistance for the warranty period. LDV also includes a ten year body anti perforation warranty.

LDV T60 LE Trailrider Summary

There is no doubt that value is the main selling point for the LDV T60 Ute. It is packed with an abundance of comfort and safety features for a sharp price.

That sharp price also reflects itself in some cheaper feeling interior ambience but the build quality can’t seem to be faulted.

The LDV T60 Trailrider is definitely a cut above other Chinese Utes, looks pretty dam good and cheaper than the mainstream Utes. That’s why people will but it. The problem is buyers compare it to the SsangYong Musso that is around the same price and a cut above.

What’s Good:

• Value for money
• Surprisingly good looks
• Warranty and loan car

What’s Not:

• Feels underpowered
• Vague steering and handling
• Cheap plastics

 Also look at:

• Isuzu D-Max
• Mitsubishi Triton
• SsangYong Musso

Model    LDV T60 Limited Edition Trailrider

• Model Price   $41,042 RDAP* ($38,990 RDAP for ABN Holders)
• Engine           2.8 L Four Cylinder Turbo CRD
• Drivetrain      4WD  6 speed Auto
• Power             110 kW @ 3400 rpm
• Torque           360 Nm @ 1600  – 2800 rpm
• Safety             Five Star ANCAP
• CO2 Emissions      254 g/km
• Economy ADR      9.6 L/100km
• Tow Capacity 3000 kg
• Tow Ball Rating    350 kg
• Servicing       TBC
• Warranty       5 yr/130,000 km 5 Yr roadside assist

 Overall Rating: 79/100

• Behind the Wheel 7
• Comfort 8
• Equipment 8
• Performance 7
• Ride & Handling 8
• Practicality 8
• Fit for Purpose 7
• Towing Ability 9
• Off Road Ability 7
• Value for Money 10