On a budget but fancy a seven-seat 4WD? The latest LDV D90 is worth a look
If you haven’t heard of LDV before you’re probably not alone. The brand, part of the giant Chinese SAIC Motor Corporation, is a relative newcomer here and better known for its range of keenly priced commercial vehicles.
The D90 was first launched in late 2017 against a raft of seven-seat SUVs like the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento. Rugged body-on-frame underpinnings also mean it’s comparable to the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, Isuzu MU-X and Ford Everest, all of which are based on their respective ute ranges and are tough hombres indeed.
How much does the 2021 LDV D90 cost?
The LDV D90's price is compelling, with the 165kW petrol engine 2WD version just $35,990 drive away. While the new 4WD diesel climbs to $47,990 drive away, it’s still a long way from the next cheapest rival, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport GLX seven-seater, which is $52,490 plus on-road costs.
A diesel engine makes more sense for a vehicle of this size and the D90 is fitted with LDV’s twin-turbo 2.0-litre diesel developing 160kW and 480Nm. Towing capacity is rated at 3100kg and, if you’re planning to go off-road, 210mm of ground clearance and a wading depth of 550mm will provide peace of mind.
What tech does the 2021 LDV D90 come with?
Standard inclusions are one of the D90’s fortes. A 12-inch touchscreen (with Apple CarPlay), multi-zone climate control, electric tailgate and a heated steering wheel are just a few of the premium features on board. Safety-wise there’s autonomous emergency braking, front collision warning, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The petrol version achieved a five-star ANCAP rating when tested in 2017 and that is applicable to all models.
In the flesh the D90 is quite the beast. Chiselled panels and slimline headlamps offer some character, but there’s no disguising that it’s a pretty big unit. The overall interior design looks contemporary. Soft-touch finishes are in critical areas and, while the shiny woodgrain look won’t suit all tastes, the cabin presents well. The large infotainment screen looks the part, but is fiddly and lacks intuitiveness.
Leather-trimmed front seats provide plenty of support, with a multitude of adjustment enabling a comfortable and commanding driving position. While the second-row seats are flatter and have less support, there’s plenty of occupant space. Access into the third row makes it better suited to teenagers and there’s 343 litres of cargo space with all seats up.
How does the 2021 LDV D90 drive?
The D90 feels more agile than expected around town and the steering is light and has a fairly quick initial turn-in. The suspension seems like it has a lot of travel designed to soak up bumps off-road, but it means a lot of unwarranted lurching through bends on the tarmac. There’s also a noticeable hesitation on take-off at certain times. Our drive backed up the claimed fuel consumption figure, though, returning 9.2L/100km.
Up against stiff opposition, such as the locally-engineered Ford Everest, the D90 struggles. But an Everest is also $7000 more expensive in base form and, when compared on features, the D90 is way ahead. If you can live with its less accomplished handling attributes, it’s well worth investigating as a cheaper buy.
Pros: Value for money; spaciousness; good seat comfort
Cons: Average on-road handling; only a space saver spare
