LDV D90 SUV gets twin-turbo diesel

The LDV D90 large SUV is finally available with a diesel engine – a punchy 2.0-litre bi-turbo four-cylinder that delivers 160kW of power, 480Nm of torque and is priced at $47,990 drive-away.

Since its launch in 2017, the seven-seat LDV D90 has failed to attract big numbers of Aussie buyers, but the local importer hopes that will change with the arrival of a diesel engine, which is generally favoured over petrol engines in the large SUV class.

The LDV D90 Executive is the new flagship in the range and makes use of the first diesel designed and built in-house by LDV's parent company SAIC. Commanding a $4000 price premium over its petrol equivalent, it drives through an eight-speed automatic transmission and a proper four-wheel drive system.

With its healthy 160kW/480Nm outputs, the ladder chassis based Chinese SUV has more pepper than chief rivals such as the Toyota Prado (130kW/450Nm), Isuzu MU-X (130kW/430Nm) and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (133kW/430Nm), but not the Ford Everest BiTurbo (157kW/500Nm).

Fuel economy is rated at 9.1L/100km, which is not class-leading, but its towing capacity of 3100kg is on par with most rivals.

It has a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating and a five-year/130,000km warranty, which is sub-par in the class when Toyota offers five years/unlimited kilometres and Mitsubishi offers seven years/150,000km.

However, the LDV D90 comes with roadside assistance which few of its rivals offer. Service intervals are 12 months or 15,000km.

Standard equipment on the range-topping LDV D90 Executive includes leather-accented seats for all seven occupants, a digital speedometer and large 12-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

However, as detailed in our recent review of the 165kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol LDV D90 large SUV, the infotainment and connectivity systems are far from perfect.

Other features include keyless entry, sunroof, front and rear parking sensors, air-conditioning vents across all three rows, multiple USB ports, 19-inch alloy wheels and a powered tailgate.

LDV says the D90 is also one of "the most spacious SUVs on the market today" and has one of the longest body lengths in its class. Boot space is an impressive 1800 litres with all rear seats folded down, 1140 litres with the second row in place and 412 litres with all seven seats in use.

There are three ISOFIX child seat anchor points in the second row along with top tether points, but the third row has none.

Despite having a space-saver spare wheel located under the rear of the vehicle (most rivals have a full-size spare), the LDV D90 is a rugged off-roader and features a Borg Warner two-speed transfer case, 210mm of ground clearance, 550mm water wading depth and an easy-to-use terrain selection system with several 4WD settings.

Safety equipment fitted as standard includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB), front collision warning, fatigue reminder, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring and lane departure warning.

LDV D90 sales increased more than 80 per cent in the first three months 2020, albeit from just 45 in the same period last year to 84 this year. By comparison, despite its higher price range ($54,090-$84,590), the class-leading Prado notched up almost 4000 sales.

LDV Australia general manager Dinesh Chinnappa says the new diesel engine will change this.

“At over 120,000 units per annum, the large SUV segment is significant and dominated by diesels. Now,

with a powerful new bi-turbo diesel offering, our seven-seat D90 family SUV offers even greater versatility for our target market,” he said.

Chinnappa pointed out that the financial stress created by the COVID-19 lockdown will make budget brands like LDV more appealing.

“Our target market is hard-working Australian families. Now, more than ever, they need value for money, but they also still demand safety, quality, features and performance,” he said.

“With childcare costs, rising energy bills, inflation, static wage increases and worries about the future, the family purse is being squeezed. Hardworking Australian families can't afford to be flippant or wasteful with money. The new LDV D90 bi-turbo diesel fits the bill perfectly.”

* Prices listed are drive-away