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LDV

D90

1st gen· 2017-2021 suv-4wd Caution
Price (AUD)
$18k-$38k
Body styles
5-door wagon (7-seat)
Drivetrain
Rear-wheel drive (2WD), Part-time 4WD (BorgWarner transfer case, dual-range, electronic rear diff lock on 4WD grades)
Origin
China
Built in
China (Wuxi, Jiangsu - SAIC Maxus)

Overview

LDV's value-priced, body-on-frame 7-seat wagon, built by SAIC on the same ladder-frame architecture as the T60 ute. Launched in Australia in November 2017 in 2WD (RWD) and selectable part-time 4WD form, sold as Mode, Deluxe, Luxe and later Executive grades. At launch the ONLY engine was the SAIC 20L4E 2.0L turbo-petrol (165kW/350Nm, 6-speed auto); the much torquier 2.0L SC20 bi-turbo diesel (160kW/480Nm, ZF 8-speed auto) arrived in April 2020 and lifted braked towing from 2000kg to ~3100kg. 4WD grades get a BorgWarner transfer case with high/low range and an electronically-locking rear diff, so it is genuinely capable off-road for the money. The trade-offs are classic budget-Chinese: built to a price with patchy fit/finish, jerky throttle/transmission calibration on the petrol, a documented coolant T-piece recall that can cause overheating, smart-alternator/battery niggles, electrical and infotainment glitches, and mixed dealer support. A lot of value and space per dollar, but go in with eyes open and budget for fixes - hence the warning rating. Verify recall completion and service history before buying.

Engines & variants

2.0L 20L4E turbo petrol

Engine
2.0L SAIC turbocharged direct-injection DOHC petrol I4 (TGI, dual VVT, twin-scroll turbo)
Config
I4 turbo petrol
Displacement
1969cc
Power
165kW @ 5500rpm
Torque
350Nm @ 1700-4400rpm
Drivetrain
RWD (2WD) or part-time 4WD (dual-range, rear diff lock)
0–100
~10s
Economy
9.5-13 L/100km real world (worse loaded/towing)
Tow (braked)
2000kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
6AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven

Pros

  • Cheap entry into a large body-on-frame 7-seat wagon
  • Smooth, quiet petrol with no DPF/diesel after-treatment hassle
  • 4WD grades get low range and an electronic rear diff lock
  • Plenty of cabin space and equipment for the money
  • Simpler and cheaper to service than the diesel

Cons

  • Noticeable throttle/transmission lag - a 1-2s delay off the mark
  • Only 2000kg braked tow - well short of the diesel's 3100kg
  • Thirsty for a 2.0L when the heavy body is loaded
  • Modest torque for a 2-tonne-plus wagon, struggles on hills loaded
  • Built to a price - fit/finish and trim durability are average

Known problems

high
Coolant T-piece failure / overheating (recall)
A brittle plastic coolant T-piece connector can crack and dump coolant, causing rapid overheating and, worst case, a warped cylinder head. LDV issued a recall covering several thousand D90s for this defect.
Fix: Confirm the recall has been completed; many owners pre-emptively fit an upgraded metal/reinforced T-piece. Stop immediately if temp climbs.
From Any · ~$0 under recall, up to $10,000 if it cooks the head
medium
Throttle/transmission lag and jerky shifts
The petrol pairs turbo lag with a slow-reacting auto calibration, giving a hesitant 1-2s delay off the line and jerky low-speed shifts. It is a calibration trait rather than a hard fault, but it bothers many owners.
Fix: Aftermarket throttle controller or software tune sharpens response; otherwise drive around it.
From Any · ~$0-500 (tune/throttle controller)
medium
Smart-alternator / flat battery on short trips
The smart (variable-output) charging system can undercharge on short urban trips, leading to flat batteries and intermittent electrical glitches. Some owners have replaced alternators and batteries early.
Fix: Quality battery sized correctly, periodic full charge, and check charging system; replace alternator if output is faulty.
From Any · ~$250-600 (battery), more if alternator

2.0L SC20 bi-turbo diesel

Engine
2.0L SAIC common-rail bi-turbo (sequential twin-turbo) DOHC diesel I4 with DPF
Config
I4 sequential twin-turbo diesel
Displacement
1996cc
Power
160kW @ 4000rpm
Torque
480Nm @ 1500-2400rpm
Drivetrain
Part-time 4WD (dual-range, rear diff lock)
0–100
~9.5s
Economy
8.9-12 L/100km depending on load
Tow (braked)
3100kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
8AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven

Pros

  • Strong 480Nm - far better tow and load engine than the petrol
  • 3100kg braked tow makes it a credible family tow rig
  • Smooth ZF-derived 8-speed auto suits the torque
  • Better real-world economy than the petrol when loaded
  • Genuine off-road hardware (low range, rear locker) at a low price

Cons

  • DPF dislikes short urban trips - regen and soot-loading risk
  • Small-capacity 2.0L bi-turbo works hard towing 3 tonnes
  • Modern diesel after-treatment (EGR/DPF) adds complexity and cost
  • Less proven long-term durability than established Japanese diesels
  • Same budget-Chinese fit/finish and dealer-support caveats

Known problems

medium
DPF clogging / forced regens on short trips
Like all modern small diesels, the SC20's DPF won't passively regenerate on short, low-speed urban running, leading to soot loading, forced regens, oil dilution and limp mode if neglected.
Fix: Regular highway runs to allow regen; address warning lights early before it cascades into turbo/EGR damage.
From Any · ~$500-2500
high
Coolant T-piece failure / overheating (recall)
The same brittle plastic coolant T-piece defect that affects the petrol applies across the D90 range; a crack dumps coolant and risks rapid overheating.
Fix: Confirm the recall is complete; consider an upgraded reinforced T-piece. Stop immediately on any temp rise.
From Any · ~$0 under recall, major if it cooks the engine
medium
Turbo / EGR soot stress from after-treatment neglect
A heavily worked small bi-turbo towing near its 3100kg limit, combined with EGR/DPF soot, can stress the turbo(s) and EGR over time if maintenance is neglected.
Fix: Keep the after-treatment healthy, service on time, fit a catch-can to reduce intake oiling, and don't lug it fully loaded.
From 100k+ km · ~$1500-4000

Common problems (all variants)

medium
Electrical and infotainment glitches
Owners report blank/failed touchscreens, loss of radio/media and indicator sounds, Bluetooth call dropouts, wired CarPlay connection errors and random sensor 'ghost' codes triggering limp mode.
Fix: Factory reset / software update often clears it; warranty screen replacement where needed; specialist scan for persistent fault codes.
From Any · ~$0-800
medium
Water ingress into cabin / engine bay
Some D90s leak water into the cabin (hard-to-trace seal/drain paths) and there are reports of water entering the engine bay area through deep puddles.
Fix: Trace and reseal door/window seals and body drains; avoid deep water; inspect carpets for damp pre-purchase.
From Any · ~$200-1000
medium
Front differential / driveline wear
Early-build D90s have had front differential failures reported (one owner replaced the front diff plus alternator and battery within 11 months), reflecting variable early build quality.
Fix: Inspect/listen for driveline whine and play; rebuild or replace the diff; check service history and recall status.
From Often under 100k km on early cars · ~$1500-3500
low
Fit, finish and trim durability
Built to a price - panel fit, trim materials, seatbelt hardware and ergonomics are below established brands; later build dates are noticeably better than early cars.
Fix: Favour later-build examples; budget for minor trim/interior fixes; thorough pre-purchase inspection.
From Any · ~Varies
low
Mixed dealer support and parts wait
Owner reviews flag inconsistent LDV dealer service and occasional parts delays, which can stretch out otherwise simple repairs.
Fix: Choose a dealer/independent with proven LDV experience; keep records to support warranty claims.
From Any · ~Varies