2025 Isuzu D-Max Blade: Everything we know so far about the HiLux GR Sport off-road ute rival

Isuzu is set to join the hero off-road ute market with a D-Max tuned by former high-performance Holden specialists Walkinshaw. Here’s what we know so far.

After years of sitting on the sidelines, Isuzu is preparing to join the Australian-engineered off-road ute market with what is provisionally known as the 2025 Isuzu D-Max Blade.

The Japanese car maker has previously dipped its toe in the water with various special editions – including the current D-Max X-Terrain flagship – but Isuzu is preparing to dive in with Walkinshaw, the engineering firm formerly behind Holden Special Vehicles.

Isuzu will be the latest car maker to recruit the Victorian-based outfit, which has lent its expertise to the Volkswagen Amarok W580 series and Mitsubishi Triton Xtreme, as well as the HSV Colorado SportsCat prior to Holden’s demise in 2020.

Arrival timing for the Walkinshaw-tuned D-Max is yet to be announced, but Australian government documents filed in recent months have laid bare the upgrades planned, set to focus on styling and suspension – but no more power.

The Blade name is listed in the documentation, and while it is yet to be confirmed for showrooms – so it is currently a provisional badge subject to change – Isuzu Ute Australia has filed to trademark the name.

Isuzu D-Max Blade specs, differences vs X-Terrain

The most focused D-Max yet will technically compete in the same category as the Ford Ranger Raptor – a twin-turbo petrol V6 super pick-up built for Baja racing – but the changes will not be anywhere near as significant.

Australian government documents show the Blade will gain new wheels, tyres and springs said to boost the vehicle’s height by 26.5mm at the front, and 29mm at the rear.

The tyre size and final ground clearance are not listed, but the regular D-Max X-Terrain is 1810mm tall, with 265/60 R18 tyres and 240mm of ground clearance.

For context, a Ford Ranger Raptor is 40mm taller than a Wildtrak with 272mm of clearance on 285/70 R17 tyres, a Toyota HiLux GR Sport is 15mm taller than an SR5 with 265mm of clearance on 265/65 R17 tyres, and a Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior is 40mm taller than a Pro-4X with 260mm of clearance on 275/70 R17 tyres.

The flagship D-Max is also listed as gaining new wheel arches, a repositioned centre high-mounted brake light, a sump guard, and a unique sailplane sports bar.

The image at the top of this story was created for Drive by render artist Theottle, based on an X-Terrain variant, and what is listed in the government documents.

Artistic licence has been applied to the design features – including the sports bar, wheel design, lower front bumper and wheel arches – as there are no images attached to the government documents.

It is yet to be confirmed if the Blade will wear decals, as suggested here.

Isuzu D-Max Blade engine and power output

Australian government homologation documents confirm the Blade will use the familiar 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine from other D-Max variants, matched with a six-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive.

But there is no mention of increased power, indicating it will not improve upon the 140kW and 450Nm outputs of other 3.0-litre variants, including the X-Terrain.

Given the current D-Max has passed the middle of its model cycle – a facelift arrival in Australia earlier this year ahead of a new model likely in 2027 or 2028 – it has likely been deemed prohibitively expensive to upgrade the engine for a niche special edition.

D-Max X-Terrain pictured.

The D-Max Blade will therefore tie with the Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior for the least powerful engine in the current Australian-developed ute class.

The Toyota HiLux GR Sport quotes 165kW/550Nm from a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine – 15kW/50Nm more than a HiLux SR5 – while the Ford Ranger Raptor uses a 292kW/583Nm 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 in Australia.

Power in the Blade is expected to run through a six-speed automatic transmission and selectable four-wheel drive system.

Isuzu D-Max Blade key rivals and competitors

The Ford Ranger Raptor helped kick-start the latest breed of off-road utes with Australian DNA, among which the D-Max Blade will compete.

Its closest competitor is likely to be the Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior, developed by Premcar, the Melbourne-based engineering firm formerly responsible for Ford Performance Vehicles sports sedans and utes.

As with the D-Max, the Warrior has upgraded suspension, tyres and styling but no more power than regular versions of the Navara.

The Toyota HiLux GR Sport may also be comparable – but it has more power – while the Ford Ranger Tremor, which adds off-road suspension, tyre and visual upgrades beside a 150kW/500Nm four-cylinder diesel engine, is a closer match than the petrol V6 Raptor.

D-Max X-Terrain pictured.

Isuzu D-Max Blade price in Australia

The D-Max Blade edition is yet to be unveiled – let alone be given a price or even a release date – but it is natural to assume it will become the most expensive model in Isuzu’s dual-cab ute line-up.

The current flagship variant is the Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain ($70,500 plus on-road costs) – above the LS-U+ ($65,500 plus on-road costs) – which would leave space for a Blade variant at $75,000 plus on-road costs – or more.

Adding confusion is a regular nationwide drive-away offer of $67,990 marketed by Isuzu for the X-Terrain, which makes it cheaper on the road than the lesser-equipped LS-U+ at about $71,000 drive-away in NSW (exact prices differ between each state and territory).

The estimated saving of about $8200 on the X-Terrain’s drive-away price – funded by Isuzu Ute Australia head office, not its dealers – means it could be significantly cheaper than the Blade, if that variant is not sold with a similar drive-away offer.

Rivals at about $70,000 to $80,000 plus on-road costs include the Ford Ranger Tremor ($69,690 plus on-roads), Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior ($71,265 plus on-roads) and Mazda BT-50 Thunder ($74,095 plus on-roads).

Other competitors include the Toyota HiLux GR Sport ($74,310 plus on-roads) and Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana ($78,990 plus on-roads).

Isuzu D-Max Blade release date

Isuzu has not formally announced the D-Max Blade – assuming it carries this name to showrooms – beyond confirmation it is partnering with Walkinshaw on future models.

The publication of Australian government documents so soon suggests it is due in local showrooms within the next 12 months, by the middle of 2025.

The post 2025 Isuzu D-Max Blade: Everything we know so far about the HiLux GR Sport off-road ute rival appeared first on Drive.

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