The rain falls steadily on the windshield as I navigate Sydney’s industrial western suburbs in a current-model LDV G10. The wipers struggle somewhat against the downpour as I head toward LDV’s Australian headquarters, where the company is about to reveal details of its 2025 model updates.
This Chinese-built van has become a familiar sight on Australian roads since its introduction in 2015, winning over price-conscious buyers with its compelling value proposition despite lacking some safety features that have long been standard on more expensive rivals. But after nearly a decade of skating by with minimal changes, new Australian regulations have finally forced LDV’s hand.
“The writing has been on the wall for some time,” admits James Yu, LDV Australia’s General Manager, as we sit down in the company’s modest boardroom. “The ADR 98/00 requirements for automatic emergency braking aren’t a surprise, and we’ve been preparing for this transition.”
The transition Yu refers to is the Australian government’s mandating of automatic emergency braking (AEB) for all newly introduced passenger cars, SUVs and light commercial vehicles from March 2023, with all existing models required to comply by March 2025. For the G10, this means adapting decade-old architecture to accommodate technology that wasn’t contemplated when the vehicle was initially designed – a challenging and costly exercise that has resulted in price increases across the range.
What’s New for 2025: The Bare Minimum
Let’s cut to the chase: the 2025 LDV G10 updates are primarily focused on meeting regulatory requirements rather than comprehensively modernizing this aging workhorse. The headline change is the addition of an automatic emergency braking system, which uses a new forward-facing camera mounted at the top of the windshield.
“We’ve integrated a camera-based AEB system that can detect vehicles and provide autonomous braking to help prevent or mitigate frontal collisions,” explains Daniel Morris, LDV’s Product Planning Manager. “It’s designed to function at city speeds, where delivery vans spend much of their time and where these accidents most commonly occur.”
This is notably different from more sophisticated AEB systems that use a combination of radar and cameras to detect vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists across a wider range of speeds and conditions. When pressed on this limitation, Morris is refreshingly candid.
“We’re working within the constraints of a platform that wasn’t originally designed for these systems,” he says. “The integration we’ve achieved meets the regulatory requirements while keeping cost increases to a minimum.”
Beyond the AEB addition, changes are minimal. The 2025 G10 receives a slightly revised front bumper to accommodate the new camera system, updated side mirrors with marginally improved visibility, and new LDV badging consistent with the brand’s more recent models. Inside, there’s a new steering wheel borrowed from newer vehicles in the SAIC Motor portfolio (LDV’s parent company) and a revised instrument cluster that incorporates AEB warning symbols.
That’s essentially it. The G10 soldiers on with the same 2.0-liter turbo-diesel engine producing 106kW and 350Nm, or a 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol with 165kW and 330Nm. Both engines continue to pair with a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels.
The Price of Compliance: Costs Head North
The minimal updates come with a not-so-minimal price increase. The 2025 G10 range sees prices climb by $2550 across all variants, pushing the entry-level diesel van to $36,540 plus on-road costs, with the petrol variant starting at $35,540 plus on-roads.
“The cost increase reflects several factors,” Yu explains, seeming somewhat uncomfortable with this aspect of our discussion. “The AEB system itself, the engineering required to integrate it into the existing platform, updated tooling for the revised front end, and general inflationary pressures on manufacturing and shipping have all contributed.”
When I suggest that a $2550 increase seems steep for the addition of a single camera-based safety system, Yu defends the pricing strategy. “We’ve absorbed some of the costs internally. The reality is that the G10 operates in a price-sensitive segment where margins are already thin. We remain committed to offering value, but we also need to maintain a sustainable business.”
The updated pricing positions the G10 above the entry-level Mitsubishi Express ($35,490) but still below the segment-dominating Toyota HiAce (starting at $44,230) and Hyundai Staria Load ($45,240). However, its value proposition has undoubtedly eroded somewhat, especially considering the limited nature of the updates.
The full 2025 LDV G10 pricing is as follows:
- G10 2.0-liter turbo-petrol van: $35,540 (up $2550)
- G10 2.0-liter turbo-diesel van: $36,540 (up $2550)
- G10 2.0-liter turbo-petrol people mover 7-seat: $37,540 (up $2550)
- G10 2.0-liter turbo-diesel people mover 7-seat: $38,540 (up $2550)
- G10 2.0-liter turbo-petrol people mover 9-seat: $38,540 (up $2550)
- G10 2.0-liter turbo-diesel people mover 9-seat: $39,540 (up $2550)
All prices exclude on-road costs.
The AEB System: Better Late Than Never?
After our briefing, LDV offers a demonstration of the newly installed AEB system on a closed course behind their facility. A foam obstacle is positioned to simulate a stopped vehicle, and I’m invited to drive toward it at increasing speeds to experience the system’s intervention.
At 20km/h, the system provides clear audible and visual warnings before applying the brakes autonomously, bringing the van to a complete stop before contacting the obstacle. At 30km/h, the performance is similar, though the stopping distance is naturally longer. At 40km/h, the system still intervenes but can only partially mitigate the impact rather than preventing it entirely.
“The system is designed primarily for urban environments and lower speeds,” Morris reiterates as we reset for another run. “It’s most effective below 40km/h, which is where a significant percentage of front-to-rear crashes occur in commercial vehicles during delivery operations.”
This limitation highlights the difference between merely meeting regulatory requirements and embracing modern safety technology. While any AEB is better than none, the G10’s system lacks the more comprehensive functionality found in newer designs, including the ability to detect pedestrians and cyclists or function effectively at highway speeds.
Robert Warner, a fleet manager for a medium-sized delivery company who currently operates six G10s and has joined us for the demonstration, offers a pragmatic perspective. “Look, it’s basic, but it’s better than what we had before, which was nothing,” he tells me as we watch another demonstration run. “If it prevents even one of my drivers from rear-ending someone in traffic, it’s worth having. But I’m not kidding myself that this puts the G10 on par with newer vans in terms of safety.”
Living With a Design From Another Era
Following the demonstration, I’m given the opportunity to spend some additional time with the updated G10, driving it through Sydney’s western suburbs where these vans are a common sight serving businesses in the area.
The overwhelming impression is how little has changed from the current model. The same slightly awkward driving position remains, with limited seat and steering wheel adjustment making it challenging to find an ideal position. The pedals still feel slightly offset, and outward visibility continues to be compromised by relatively thick A-pillars and small side mirrors.
The cabin shows its age with hard plastics throughout, a basic infotainment system with a 7.0-inch touchscreen that lacks the responsiveness and features we’ve come to expect in 2025, and storage solutions that, while adequate, lack the thoughtful design of newer competitors.
On the move, the diesel engine provides decent torque for urban duties but becomes noticeably noisy under acceleration. The ZF eight-speed automatic remains a highlight, delivering smooth shifts and helping to keep the engine in its relatively narrow power band. Ride quality is acceptable when loaded but becomes bouncy and unsettled when the van is empty, another characteristic that betrays the age of the underlying design.
The G10’s cargo capacity remains unchanged at 5.2 cubic meters for the standard van, with a payload of 1093kg – figures that were competitive a decade ago but are now surpassed by several newer rivals. Access is via a sliding door on the passenger side and barn doors at the rear, both of which open wide enough for practical loading but lack the refinement in operation found in more modern designs.
A local tradie, Sam Mitchell, who is currently on his second G10 and pulls up beside me at a traffic light, winds down his window to chat when he notices I’m driving an LDV. “They’re not perfect, but you can’t beat them for the price,” he shouts over the idling diesel clatter. “I smashed up the front of my first one and it was cheap as chips to repair. Try that with a European van!”
This pragmatic perspective seems common among G10 owners I’ve spoken with over the years. They acknowledge the van’s limitations but appreciate its straightforward approach and value proposition – a proposition that, while diminished somewhat by the price increase, remains relatively strong in a market where most competitors sit well north of $40,000.
The Regulatory Landscape: Safety Catches Up
The G10’s forced evolution highlights a broader trend in the Australian automotive landscape: safety regulations are finally catching up with global standards, eliminating some of the discrepancies that have allowed older designs to persist in our market.
Professor Stuart Richardson from the Australian Road Safety Foundation provides some context when I call him after my G10 experience. “ADR 98/00 is a significant step forward for Australian vehicle safety,” he explains. “By mandating AEB across the vehicle fleet, we’re addressing one of the most common crash types – nose-to-tail collisions – which account for a significant percentage of urban crashes.”
Richardson notes that while the G10’s basic AEB system may not represent the state of the art, it still offers meaningful safety benefits. “Studies suggest even basic AEB systems can reduce rear-end crashes by around 35-40 percent. More sophisticated systems that can detect pedestrians and function at higher speeds provide additional benefits, but the fundamental capability to automatically brake for an obstacle represents a significant safety enhancement.”
The Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has been pushing for these technologies for years, often finding itself frustrated by the slower pace of regulatory change. ANCAP’s Communications Director, Georgia Wells, doesn’t specifically comment on the G10 when I reach her by phone but speaks more generally about the importance of these mandates.
“We’ve seen manufacturers prioritize safety technology in models sold in markets with stricter regulations while offering less-equipped versions in Australia,” Wells notes. “Regulatory requirements create a level playing field and ensure all vehicles meet a minimum standard, which is particularly important in commercial vehicle segments where purchasing decisions are often heavily influenced by upfront costs.”
This regulatory push affects more than just the G10. Several other aging models in the Australian market have received similar minimal updates to comply with the new requirements, including some Japanese and Korean light commercial vehicles that have remained largely unchanged for extended periods.
The Future: How Long Can the G10 Survive?
As I return the G10 to LDV’s headquarters, the question that lingers is how much longer this decade-old design can remain viable in an increasingly competitive and rapidly evolving market.
Yu is diplomatic but realistic when I raise this question. “The G10 continues to meet the needs of many Australian businesses, and these updates ensure it remains compliant with regulatory requirements,” he says. “But we’re also looking forward. SAIC Motor has a comprehensive product roadmap that includes next-generation commercial vehicles with advanced safety systems and alternative powertrains.”
Reading between the lines, it seems likely that the G10’s days are numbered, with these compliance-focused updates representing a holding pattern rather than a renewed commitment to the platform. Industry sources suggest a replacement model is in development, potentially sharing components with newer LDV models and offering more comprehensive safety technology from the ground up rather than as an afterthought.
In the meantime, the updated G10 will begin arriving in Australian dealerships in January 2025, just in time to meet the March regulatory deadline. LDV expects to continue selling around 3,000 units annually, predominantly to small businesses and fleet operators focused on initial purchase price rather than total ownership costs or cutting-edge features.
Minimum Viable Update
The 2025 LDV G10 represents a minimum viable update to a vehicle approaching its twilight years. The addition of basic automatic emergency braking ensures regulatory compliance but does little to address the van’s other shortcomings or bring it in line with more modern competitors.
For budget-conscious buyers who prioritize purchase price and straightforward functionality, the G10 still has merit despite the price increase. Its mechanical simplicity, proven components, and reasonable cargo capacity continue to fulfill the basic requirements for many business applications.
However, for those who can stretch their budget, newer designs offer significant advantages in safety, comfort, fuel efficiency, and practicality. The gap between the G10 and segment leaders like the HiAce has widened over the years, and this update does little to narrow it.
As I stand in the LDV parking lot watching a G10 delivery van rumble past – one of thousands already doing duty on Australian roads – I’m reminded that vehicles like this occupy a specific niche in the market. They’re tools designed to do a job at a price point, without pretension or unnecessary frills. The 2025 update ensures the G10 can continue in this role for a while longer, but its fundamental character remains unchanged: an aging workhorse that’s showing its years but still willing to put in an honest day’s work.
Whether that’s enough in an increasingly sophisticated and safety-conscious market remains to be seen. For now, the old dog has learned just enough new tricks to stay in the game, but a more comprehensive reinvention will ultimately be necessary if LDV wants to challenge the segment leaders rather than just undercut them on price.
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