2024 LDV T60 Traverse review

LDV adds the extras to its T60 and presents the Traverse. Is it a plausible alternative to the likes of Ranger and Hilux?

Mountain bikers might be more familiar with the 42 Traverse than most. It’s a 46km long ‘multi-use track’ winding its way through the Tongariro Forest Conservation Area, used primarily by bikers.

This old logging road, originally called ‘State Forest 42’, is also open to four-wheel drive vehicles but only during the summer months.

It’s apparently ‘challenging terrain through fantastic native forest’ with ‘superb views back to the volcanoes of Tongariro National Park’. The Conservation Department says its ‘a rough 4WD track’ and to ‘always take recovery gear with you’.

Sounds challenging indeed and it’s this piece of the country that lends its name to a limited edition of LDV’s T60 double-cab ute.

The Traverse was a feature of the brand’s stand at the annual Fieldays mud fest, and is loaded with a range of typical 4×4 accessories that ute owners love to add to their rigs, even if they never intend on really using them.

Decked out

The Traverse 4×4 sticker on the side of the tray is not the most inspiring badging you’ll come across but it gets better. The 18-inch five-spoke DTM alloys have a faux beadlock design and come wrapped in 265/60R18 Nexen Roadian all-terrain rubber.

These impart the desired ‘chunky’ look and yet they don’t rumble on the road. There is a Rola roof rack ready for that pop-up tent favoured by ‘overlanders’. This too adds to the visuals but generates a fair amount of wind noise at 80km/h and above.

The TJM snorkel is described as ‘well sealed’ and may or may not improve the T60’s stated wading depth of 550mm.

The window monsoons can be handy during inclement weather, and the bonnet protector is said to offer ‘practical and stylish protection from stones and road debris’.

There’s a VRS Metro Bullbar up front. It comes with a couple of driving lights and a separate light bar, operated via a pair of switches tacked to the dash.

While it’s well integrated with the front end, it wouldn’t appear to have improved the approach angle, but then we guess it’s all about the look.

The Traverse has a ‘Lustre Protection Film’ providing a ‘shield against the elements’. It’s said to safeguard against scratches and chips.

The usual abundance of T60 chrome has been blacked out, and there are tinted windows. Inside you get some ‘deep dish’ rubber mats to help keep the mud contained.

It’s not exclusively grey either; you can get it in white and black as well.

The downside? The price. While the Elite can be had for just $39,990 and Lux is $43,990, the Traverse is $67,990. All those additions really add up.

Like other T60s, the warranty covers you for five years/130,000 kilometres. No word on whether the add ons carry the same coverage however.

Capable?

At the business end, the T60’s tray measures up at 1.5m long at its base, while it is 1.36m wide across the tailgate and 1.12m between the wheel arches.

While there are only a few specifications listed on the local LDV website, the payload is stated at 750kg for the Traverse, where most of the double cabs around this price point are closer to 900 – 1000kg mark.

The max towing rating is 3000kg braked, 500kg less than usual benchmark for the class, while the down weight on the towball is 300kg.

The tailgate is heavy, slamming down with a thud when you open it and with no helper spring it requires a bit of muscle to shut.

There’s a semblance of a tray liner, the plastic coating rather thin, and there are four tie-down points. There didn’t seem to be any way to lock the tailgate; it certainly doesn’t lock off the remote fob.

Price sensitive

The cabin is hard, black and plastic, with a built-to-a-price point feel. Which is why the Elite can be had for as little as $39,990, good value for a 4×4 ute.

The seat, while electrically adjusted and heated, needs more foam and support. Analogue dials are easy to read, a basic display for the trip computer in between.

The entertainment system is relatively straightforward though it occasionally needs a second or third prod to action your request.

It doesn’t have many jobs to perform as there is no sat nav for instance, while the air conditioner has its own set of controls below. The resolution is good, so the image of the 360 degree camera is clear.

It’s a sizable rig, over 5.3m long, and there is generous space in the rear of the cab. Here the leg room is good, the trans hump minimal so the occasional middle passenger gets room for their feet.

People who don’t like to be told will enjoy the T60, as the safety assistance features are few and far between.

There’s only a lane departure warning system which gives you the odd beep. There’s nothing fancy like adaptive cruise however.

The T60 carries a five-star safety rating, though it was tested back in 2017, and that rating expires in December.

Trucks along okay

The T60 uses a bi-turbo 2.0-litre diesel generating 160kW and 480Nm of torque, good numbers for a two point oh.

There’s a ZF-supplied eight-speed auto, and the 4×4 set-up runs a torque-on-demand system. Consumption is listed as 10.4L/100km on the rightcar website.

The four cylinder might not be the most refined you’ll come across in the ute sector but it gets the job done, with negligible turbo lag and a free-revving nature.

While the eight-stage auto can transition through its gears in a refined manner, it’s not the quickest to respond to added throttle.

And the downshifts can be accompanied by the odd jerk. Overall it’s not bad, serving up a strong brew of torque and averaging 10.4L/100km, as stated.

The steering is lightweight making progress easy but it’s also light on feedback. Its ride is settled, smooth even, until you come across a decent bump.

That sends a jolt through the truck that the suspension can’t sort.

In the 4×4’s Auto setting, the T60’s a rear driver until it starts churning up the turf and then it sends the drive to the front with a bit of a shunt.

You can also select 2H, 4H and 4L. On gravel, the traction control behaves itself but the rear end can bounce around on the bigger bumps.

Back on tarseal, the A/T rubber holds on well, no howling in the bends. The T60 manages to keep itself tidy through the curves, at both ends.

The brakes however feel underdone, the pedal soft, as is the ultimate stopping power.

A genuine alternative?

Traverse is the same price as a standard Ranger 4×4 XLT. The Ford is a newer truck, so it drives better, has a superior spec and is a better buy.

But you’ll have to spend a small fortune to fit it out in order to achieve a similar look to the Traverse.

So the LDV is still at a value advantage in that regard, and it does look the part.

This article first appeared in the October 2024 issue of NZ Autocar Magazine.