LDV T60 Review (2026): The Cheapest Way Into a 3.5-Tonne Tow Ute

The LDV T60 is one of the original budget dual-cab disruptors in Australia, and the current MAX range sharpens the pitch: proper ute numbers, a long warranty, and a price that undercuts almost every mainstream rival. LDV is owned by SAIC, the same Chinese giant behind MG, so it has serious manufacturing scale behind it. Here is the data-led take.

How much is the LDV T60?

Three diesel 4x4 grades. All prices are before on-road costs.

The headline is value. A 4x4 dual-cab with a 3,500kg tow rating from a mainstream brand starts well into the $50,000s, so the T60 MAX undercuts them by a wide margin while matching the towing number that matters most to ute buyers. There is also an electric eT60 at $99,990, but as we explain below, it is a niche proposition rather than a value buy.

Engine, towing and payload

Every T60 MAX runs the same 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel, making 160kW and 500Nm through an automatic and a part-time 4WD system with low range. That is competitive output for the class, and it pulls the T60 along respectably, even if the 0-100km/h time of around 11.5 seconds tells you it is built for work rather than speed.

Where it counts, the numbers are strong. The full 3,500kg braked tow rating is there across the range, and payload runs from around 800kg on the long-tray Mega Tub up to about 1,040kg on the Pro, which is genuine one-tonne-plus capability. The big 73-litre fuel tank gives it long legs between fills. As with any dual-cab, watch your gross combined mass when you tow heavy and load the tray at the same time.

Dimensions and the Mega Tub

The standard T60 MAX is a big dual-cab at 5,365-5,395mm long, riding on a 3,155-3,175mm wheelbase with 220mm of ground clearance for off-road and worksite duty. The interesting one is the Mega Tub Plus, which stretches to 5,710mm on a 3,490mm wheelbase to give a noticeably longer tray for carrying long loads, at the cost of a wider 13.8m turning circle and a bit of payload. If load length is your priority, it is a genuinely useful option that few rivals offer.

The electric eT60: niche, not value

LDV also sells the eT60, a rear-drive electric dual-cab, from $99,990. On paper it is interesting as one of the few electric utes on sale, but the numbers are tough: a claimed 330km range, 80kW DC charging and a tow rating of just 1,000kg, a third of the diesel's 3,500kg, all for nearly three times the price. Unless you specifically need a zero-emissions ute for short urban runs, the diesel T60 MAX is the far more sensible buy, and we would steer almost all buyers to it.

Running costs

The diesel claims 7.9-8.1L/100km, which works out to roughly $2,400 a year in fuel over 15,000km at $2.00/L, in line with other diesel dual-cabs. CO2 emissions of around 207-214 g/km are on the higher side, worth noting as emissions rules tighten. Servicing every 12 months or 15,000km keeps maintenance straightforward. The low purchase price is the headline saving; the running costs are typical for a diesel ute of this size.

Safety and ownership

This is the T60's most important caveat. At the time of writing, the current T60 MAX did not carry an ANCAP rating in our data, which means its crash-safety performance is not independently certified. For a work ute that lives on a site, that may be an acceptable trade-off for the price; for a vehicle that doubles as the family car, it is a serious consideration, and we would urge you to confirm the latest safety rating before buying. On the plus side, LDV backs the T60 with a 7-year/200,000km warranty, and SAIC's scale gives the brand solid parts backing, though resale is still establishing.

How it compares

The closest like-for-like value rival is the GWM Cannon, another budget dual-cab that significantly undercuts the mainstream while offering a 5-star ANCAP rating, which is a meaningful point in its favour over the T60. The established benchmarks, the Isuzu D-Max and Ford Ranger, drive with more polish, are ANCAP-rated and hold their value far better, but cost thousands more. If you want the GWM cabin with a plug-in option and more power, step up to the Cannon Alpha.

Cross-shopping the work utes? See our best utes guide and the best cars for tradies.

The verdict

The LDV T60 MAX is a lot of ute for the money. A 160kW diesel, 3,500kg towing and over a tonne of payload from $36,990 is genuine capability at a budget price, and the long-tray Mega Tub adds versatility that rivals do not offer. The honest catch is the missing ANCAP rating, which counts for more if the ute is also the family car than if it is a pure work tool. For a tradie who wants maximum capability per dollar, the Pro Auto is a smart buy; safety-focused family buyers should weigh the 5-star GWM Cannon alongside it. The electric eT60, meanwhile, is best left to those with a very specific need.