2025 LDV T60 Price & Specs Safety Upgrades Revealed

In the ever-evolving landscape of utility vehicles, the 2025 LDV T60 emerges as a compelling contender that’s redefining what buyers can expect from a value-oriented ute. This latest iteration brings substantial upgrades across safety, technology, and performance while maintaining the brand’s commitment to affordability. After spending a week behind the wheel of this refreshed model, I’ve gained valuable insights into whether this Chinese-manufactured pickup can truly challenge the established players in Australia’s competitive ute market.

Table of Contents

A Brief History of LDV in Australia

Before diving into the specifics of the 2025 model, it’s worth noting how far LDV has come in the Australian market. Initially met with skepticism when they arrived on our shores, LDV has steadily built a reputation for delivering value-packed vehicles that increasingly narrow the gap with Japanese and American rivals. The T60, introduced in 2017, represented the brand’s first serious foray into the dual-cab ute segment, a market traditionally dominated by Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger.

Each subsequent update has addressed key criticisms, and this 2025 refresh represents the most comprehensive overhaul yet. Having tracked the evolution of the T60 since its inception, I’ve observed a clear trajectory of improvement that culminates in this latest model.

Pricing Structure: Value Proposition Remains Strong

The 2025 LDV T60 maintains its competitive pricing strategy while offering enhanced features across the range. The lineup continues with three primary variants:

Pro (Entry-Level): $33,990 drive-away
Elite (Mid-Range): $38,490 drive-away
Luxe (Top-Spec): $43,990 drive-away

These prices represent a modest increase of approximately $1,500 across the range compared to the outgoing model, which feels justified given the additional equipment. During a conversation with LDV Australia’s Marketing Manager at the launch event, he emphasized that maintaining the value proposition was paramount despite the significant upgrades.

What’s particularly noteworthy is that even the base Pro model comes equipped with features that would typically be reserved for mid or high-spec variants from other manufacturers. This approach has been central to LDV’s growing market share, which reached 6.8% in the 4×4 ute segment last year – a figure that would have seemed implausible just five years ago.

Safety Upgrades: The Headline Act

The most significant improvements to the 2025 T60 come in the form of comprehensive safety enhancements. Previous iterations had been criticized for lagging behind class leaders in this crucial area, but the new model addresses these concerns head-on.

ANCAP Rating and Core Safety Features

The 2025 T60 has earned a 5-star ANCAP safety rating under the more stringent 2023 testing protocols – a notable achievement considering many competitors were rated under earlier, less demanding criteria. During my testing on winding country roads outside Sydney, I found the safety systems to be well-calibrated and less intrusive than some overzealous setups in competitors.

Standard safety features across all variants now include:

Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) 3.0
Autonomous Emergency Braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keep Assist
Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
Driver Attention Monitoring
Traffic Sign Recognition
Adaptive Cruise Control
360-degree camera system (previously limited to the Luxe variant)

The inclusion of the 360-degree camera system even on the base model deserves special mention. This feature, which provides excellent visibility when maneuvering in tight spaces, remains an expensive option on many competitors. During parallel parking along Sydney’s crowded Eastern Suburbs, this system proved invaluable, offering clear views that compensate for the inherently limited visibility of a dual-cab ute.

Enhanced Passive Safety Elements

Beyond the electronic safety aids, LDV has reinforced the T60’s structural integrity with:

Additional high-strength steel in the cabin frame
Redesigned crumple zones
Six airbags including full-length curtain airbags
Enhanced side impact protection

These improvements address concerns raised about earlier models and demonstrate LDV’s commitment to meeting Australian consumers’ expectations regarding safety.

Powertrain and Performance: Refined but Familiar

Under the bonnet, the 2025 T60 carries over the 2.0-liter bi-turbo diesel engine from the previous model, producing 160kW and 500Nm of torque. While not groundbreaking in specifications, LDV engineers have focused on refinement rather than outright performance increases.

The engine now features:

Reduced noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) levels
Improved throttle response
Recalibrated 8-speed ZF automatic transmission
Enhanced fuel efficiency, now rated at 8.4L/100km combined

During my testing, which included a mix of urban driving, highway cruising, and light off-road work, the powertrain impressed with its smoothness rather than outright punch. The transmission, in particular, feels more intuitive than before, avoiding the hunting between gears that occasionally plagued the previous model.

When towing a 2,500kg boat (below the 3,000kg maximum capacity), the T60 maintained composure, though it did work noticeably harder on inclines. This suggests that those regularly towing near the maximum limit might be better served by more powerful alternatives, despite the T60’s competitive on-paper specifications.

Off-Road Capability: Confidence-Inspiring Improvements

The 2025 T60 builds on the decent off-road fundamentals of its predecessor with several key enhancements:

Revised suspension tuning with increased wheel articulation
Electronic locking rear differential (standard on Elite and Luxe)
Enhanced approach and departure angles (31 and 27 degrees respectively)
Improved wading depth of 800mm (up from 700mm)
Terrain Management System with specific modes for different conditions

During testing on a challenging off-road course near the Blue Mountains, the T60 displayed impressive capability. While it may not match the extreme off-road prowess of specialized models like the Ford Ranger Raptor, it comfortably handles the kind of terrain that most owners will realistically encounter.

The electronic aids work effectively without feeling overly intrusive, allowing a degree of wheel slip when beneficial while preventing situations that might leave you stranded. The standout feature is the rear differential lock, which made light work of a particularly challenging rocky ascent that would have defeated many competitors lacking this feature.

Technology and Interior: Narrowing the Gap

Infotainment and Connectivity

One area where Chinese manufacturers have rapidly closed the gap with established brands is in-cabin technology, and the 2025 T60 exemplifies this trend:

12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system (up from 10.25 inches)
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Built-in navigation with live traffic updates
Digital radio
Over-the-air update capability
Voice control functionality

The system responds promptly to inputs and features a more intuitive interface than previous iterations. During my week with the vehicle, I found the voice control particularly useful for changing destinations or music selections without taking my eyes off the road.

Cabin Design and Materials

The interior design has matured with:

Improved materials including soft-touch surfaces on frequent contact points
More supportive front seats with extended adjustment range
Redesigned instrument cluster with clearer information display
Enhanced sound insulation
Increased rear seat legroom

While still not quite matching the premium feel of top-spec Japanese or European offerings, the gap has narrowed significantly. The cabin provides a comfortable environment for long journeys, as I discovered during a 400km round trip to the Hunter Valley. Road and wind noise are well suppressed, and the seats remained comfortable throughout the journey.

Practicality and Utility: True to Its Purpose

As a working vehicle, the 2025 T60 delivers on the fundamentals:

Tub dimensions: 1525mm length, 1510mm width, 530mm depth
Payload capacity: 1,015kg (Pro), 935kg (Elite and Luxe)
Towing capacity: 3,000kg braked
Tie-down points: Six heavy-duty anchors
Optional accessories: Tub liner, sports bar, tonneau cover, canopy

The slightly reduced payload on higher-spec models accounts for the additional equipment weight, a common trait across the segment. During practical testing with a load of building materials, the T60 maintained its composure well, though the suspension is noticeably firmer when unladen – a characteristic shared with many competitors.

Ownership Proposition: Warranty and Running Costs

LDV continues to offer a compelling ownership package:

7-year/200,000km warranty
5-year roadside assistance
Capped-price servicing for the first five years
Service intervals of 12 months/15,000km

This warranty period exceeds many established competitors and helps address lingering concerns about long-term reliability. Speaking with current owners at the owner’s club meetup I attended during the testing period, satisfaction levels appear high, with few reporting significant issues with vehicles from the previous generation.

A Serious Contender, Not Just on Price

The 2025 LDV T60 represents a significant step forward that forces a reassessment of the brand’s position in the market. No longer merely a budget alternative, it stands as a legitimate option that will appeal to buyers who prioritize value but are unwilling to compromise on safety and features.

While die-hard fans of established brands may remain skeptical, the comprehensive improvements across safety, technology, and refinement make the T60 increasingly difficult to dismiss. During my week with the vehicle, several curious onlookers expressed genuine surprise when learning of the features available at this price point.

For those willing to look beyond badge prestige, the 2025 LDV T60 offers a compelling package that deserves serious consideration. It may not exceed class leaders in any single category, but its balanced approach and value proposition create a sum greater than its parts.

As the ute market continues to evolve, with electrification on the horizon and prices of traditional players climbing ever higher, LDV has positioned the T60 to capitalize on buyers seeking maximum utility for their dollar without significant compromises. Based on my experience with this latest model, that’s exactly what it delivers.

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