Australia’s dual-cab ute sector has no shortage of contenders and options – a bewildering array lately with the addition of so many new brands. In spite of the ever-increasing competition, Isuzu’s D-Max has solidified its position in the market, finishing last year as Australia’s third favourite one-tonne ute according to VFACTS figures, behind only Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.
Isuzu’s reputation for dependability, trustworthiness and off-road capability have played no small part in this growth, but an increasing appetite for a top-tier sports model in the same vein as Toyota HiLux GR Sport and Nissan Navara Warrior gave rise to the 2025 Isuzu D-Max Blade – the result of a collaboration with Walkinshaw Automotive Group.
Walkinshaw’s credentials are staggering. Its racing heritage and involvement in some of Australia’s most desirable sports sedans (HSV) is well known. Now involved in everything from re-manufacturing of GMSV Silverado’s and Toyota’s Tundra, Walkinshaw’s local engineering expertise and history make it stand out as an ideal partner to win over Aussie buyers with something genuinely special.
Isuzu Ute Australia invited Driving Enthusiast to an extensive drive program, aimed at showcasing all the differences between the Blade and the LSU+. This included high and low speed on-road as well as time at Adelaide Hills 4WD Park, encompassing rocky terrain, a river crossing, as well as very challenging hills, ruts and mud to highlight the extra capability of the Blade.
A drive down to Goolwa Beach, SA allowed us to test the Blade’s sand driving capability. We’ll tell you how exactly how it fared in those various grueling environments, but first lets zoom out and have a look at what the D-Max Blade is.
Walkinshaw was given plenty of latitude with styling, resulting in a new grill, incorporating a 112W light bar, wheel arch flares and unique wheels, sports bar and side rails as well as a very functional bash plate. This is further augmented by decals designed to complement the lines of the vehicle, including lower door scallops.
A highlight is the reinforced steel bash plate, coloured war paint red. That its recovery points are rated to 8000kg is a prime example of the dual-purpose role almost everything new on this ute serves. 17-inch wheels shod with 275/65 Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac RT tyres wind the aggression up as well as providing unexpected ride and handling benefits.
Priced from $76,990 drive-away, it gives Isuzu a halo model, but the standard, 3.0-litre, 140kW/450Nm turbo-diesel four-cylinder and six-speed auto remains – inviting potential criticism from those pointing to HiLux GR Sport’s 165kW/550Nm boosted output.
It’s worth remembering how well Isuzu’s 4JJ powerplant responds to tuning, for those with an insatiable thirst for big numbers. To make it feel more special, ‘Blade’ embroided seats, door sill plates and HSV-style build number on the gear selector are included inside.
The road loop incorporated plenty of high speed sweepers, corrugations and grids as well as varied tarmac. What was immediately apparent was the tighter control, more immediate and linear steering response off centre. This is due to a change in positive offset of +17mm versus +33mm for the LS-U. Thanks to the adoption of (key: well-tuned) twin-tube damping, the Blade feels more planted on the road – a rare achievement when you consider that most of these upgrades improve off-road ability.
Once we arrived at Adelaide Hills 4WD Park, we were briefed then set off on some unforgiving and steep tracks, following the I-Venture Club LS-U, which gave us a good chance to see how the Blade stacked up. Important stats are; 29 degree approach angle, 244mm of ground clearance, 25 degree break-over and 19 degree departure. As any seasoned off-roader will tell you, these only tell part of the story.
As many will attest, the base D-Max is no slouch oat tackling the outdoors. Especially since the MY24’s addition of ‘Rough Terrain Mode’ – which uses the ESC to precisely modulate throttle input where required. The LS-U was capable over the course, but what set the Blade apart was the ease with which it sailed over it.
For example, when the LS-U had a wheel in the air, the Blade had both planted, due in part to superior wheel articulation and rebound compression of the dampers, as well as its meatier tyres. Uphill and downhill, with low range and rear diff lock engaged, the Blade took everything in its stride. This is a ute that will give even a shaky novice adventurer a big head, as it makes everything feel and look so easy. Nothing broke except a bent side-rail mount, after copping a major shunt by yours truly.
We then made our way south to Goolwa Beach, a lush and expansive beach popular with surfers and 4WDers alike. The Isuzu team reduced our tyre pressure from 29psi to 20psi and we turned the traction control system off completely by holding the button for 7 seconds.
To anyone unfamiliar with sand driving, it is all about momentum and torque. Braking or soft throttle input risks bogging. Here, the extra surface area of the larger tyre package came in handy, forging a path in soft and hard sand, with a fun diversion onto the sand dunes really testing our skill. When it was time to re-inflate the tyres, Isuzu’s ‘refill assist’ function, which flashes hazards and beeps when tyre pressure is at the placard level, proved a delightful feature.
A long, varied and picturesque drive across the best South Australia has to offer really gave us an opportunity to see the depth of engineering Walkinshaw has imbued this product with. The highest compliment we can pay the ute is that road manners have been improved dramatically in addition to off-road.
Usually there is a major compromise here. That it retains a 3500kg towing capacity and 896kg payload is the icing on the cake. Will it be enough to compete with Toyota or Ford’s clout and extra power numbers? Time will tell but in terms of how it feels and what it can do, it deserves to succeed, in our opinion.
