If you’re in the market for an affordable 7-seat SUV, the LDV D90 is one of the cheapest. But for the 2025 model, LDV has made significant improvements to refinement, power, and technology to shake off any ‘cheap and nasty’ connotations. But with that, the price has moved up a notch.
We took this example for a quick spin thanks to Central Coast Automotive. It’s a top-spec Executive 4WD, coated in Natural White paint which contrasts well with the various black or darkened body trimmings and highlights.
2025 LDV D90: Specifications
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder
Output: 184kW@5500rpm / 410Nm@2500-3500rpm
Gearbox: Eight-speed auto
Drive type: Part-time RWD/4WD
Wheels: F & R: 18×7.5, 265/60
ANCAP: Not tested
Tare weight: 2237kgPower-to-weight: 12.15:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 9.4L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 75L/95 RON
Power efficiency: 25.71kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 4.30 seconds*
0-100km/h: 9.76 seconds*
60-110km/h: 6.53 seconds*
Starting price: $51,042
*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different
2025 LDV D90: How much does it cost?
Well, it’s no longer a $38,937 drive-away package, which was the lowest-price 7-seat SUV on the market at one point. Now, prices start from $43,147 drive-away, or if you’re an ABN holder, $40,990 drive-away. The cheapest 7-seat SUV on sale in Australia is the Mahindra XUV700, from $36,990 drive-away.
Three variants of the D90 are on sale, spanning from the Mode RWD, the Executive RWD, and at the top, the Executive 4WD. Here you’re looking at the top-spec 4WD. Prices start from $51,042 drive-away, or $48,490 drive-away for ABN holders.
22025 LDV D90: Interior & packaging
LDV did a complete interior make-over with the new model. The dash is much more modern and chunky, with a new 12.3-inch touch-screen and digital gauge cluster, a wide spread of soft-touch materials including on the centre console and upper door cards, and more storage than before.
Instead of a conventional T-bar gear shifter you now have a column-mounted shifter like in the latest T60 and MIFI van. This clears up space around the console and allows room for twin wireless phone chargers in its place.
There’s a centre storage box, dual cup holders, and some nice dial switches for the drive modes and drive system settings. Headroom is unlikely to be an issue for most people and the overall cabin has a tall and upright feel to it, with big windows providing a clear view over other motorists.
The latest touch-screen presents pleasant graphics and the menus and in-screen navigation are quite user-friendly. It also hooks up with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and even comes with an in-built dash cam – very handy if you’re using this as a daily run-around or work vehicle.
In the back it is much the same as the front; heaps of room. This is one of the biggest cabins in this class, aside from super-size SUVs like the Nissan Patrol and LandCruiser. Legroom is fully adjustable thanks to a sliding middle row, and in this Executive variant you get semi climate control for the back with vents in the ceiling for both rear rows.
Even the third row offers impressive space, with more than enough head clearance for average-height adults. My legs drop down ever-so-slightly, which is more than what could be said for most body-on-frame SUVs like this. Both rear rows offer adjustable recline for added comfort.
Boot space is rated at 343L with all rows up, and then 1350L with the two rear rows down, and 2382L with both rows down. It’s a huge boot, and very tall so you can load in bulky items with ease. There’s a 12V socket tucked away in the corner, some under-floor storage, and an 18-inch steel spare externally mounted underneath, wearing a regular (not speed-limited) 255/60 tyre.
Towing capacity has been bumped up from 2000kg in the outgoing petrol model to a more competitive 3000kg for the 2025 version. It doesn’t match some of the popular diesel rivals but it is a big step up from before and compares reasonably well with other lower-end models.
2025 LDV D90: Powertrain & handling
Firstly, the updated engine. Now with 184kW and 410Nm, it cruises with less effort. The figures are a decent jump up from 160kW/350Nm in the outgoing model, and with a similar tare weight (2237kg). Peak torque is spread from 2500rpm to 3500rpm (same as before), with peak power arriving at 5500rpm (up from 5300rpm).
Despite the increases in output and the similar weight, fuel consumption on the official combined cycle drops from 10.9L/100km in the outgoing model to 9.4L/100km. It’s always good to see healthy evolution like this, although it remains only Euro 5 compliant which is getting old now.
Paired up to the engine is a ZF-based eight-speed automatic, replacing the six-speed. It offers a good spread of ratios but, at times, it does seem to hunt around for the ultimate ratio, especially up long steep hills. It tries to maintain a higher gear for efficiency, but then changes its mind and drops back, then shifts up again… it almost feels like it was calibrated for a diesel with more low-end torque.
The steering in the old model was pretty awful, offering not much communication. Now, the steering is significantly softer and ‘friendlier’, with some minor improvements in engagement and communication. It isn’t the nicest setup in this class, but it is more conventional and basically does what it’s told with a practical attitude.
Improvements have been made to enhance handling and body control, and they seem to have worked. The old floaty-boat feeling isn’t as evident. Sure, the high-riding cabin and 246mm of ground clearance means it’s no sports car, but there are fewer complaints as a driver.
Off-road conditions can be managed using the 4H setting, or 4L in really sticky stuff. The Executive also gets a terrain mode dial so you can adjust accordingly. With decent ground clearance, 29-degree approach angle and 24-degree departure angle, it does alright. The ‘Giti 4×4’ highway terrain tyres are probably the first limitation.
2025 LDV D90: Key attractions/reasons to buy
- Value: It remains as one of the cheapest 7-seat SUVs on the market, starting from $43k drive-away.
- Cabin space: This is a full-size 7-seater with plenty of headroom in all three rows, and good legroom in the third row, for this class.
- Technology: The touch-screen is packed with apps and gadgets – including an in-built dash cam – and it’s all presented with nice graphics and easy menu flow.
2025 LDV D90: Key considerations before you buy
- Resale value: LDV doesn’t have the best history for maintaining resale value. But at least you’re saving money with the low new-car price.
- Driving dynamics: Although improved quite a bit over the outgoing model, the steering and body control are still pretty average for this class.
- Indecisive auto: The spread of ratios seems well-suited the engine power and torque, but the calibration likes to hunt around the gears more than you might expect. It’s not as smooth as some rivals.
2025 LDV D90: Video
