Isuzu D-Max VS Mercedes-Benz X-Class
Isuzu D-Max
Likes
- Enhanced suspension improves dynamics
- Good-looking design inside and out
- A respectable on-road/off-road compromise
Dislikes
- No performance improvements
- Lacks some rivals' electronic 4x4 tech
- Interior needs more differentiation from LS-U
Mercedes-Benz X-Class
Likes
Dislikes
Summary
Isuzu D-Max
These days, all the cool kids are buying utes that look like they’ve been working out.
They stand out with their toned bodies, muscular stance, rugged boots and ready-for-action names, like Warrior, Rogue, Thunder and – of course – Raptor.
Such suffixes are far sexier than just Navara, HiLux, BT-50 and Ranger, respectively.
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- Special new Isuzu 4WD revealed: Popular 2025 Isuzu MU-X off-road SUV gears up with a touring and towing-focused package to battle the Ford Everest and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
Now, Australia’s third best-selling ute, the Isuzu D-Max, joins the club with the Blade.
Is it fit enough to run with the other pumped-up utes?
Let’s find out.
| Safety rating | — |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | — |
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| Fuel Efficiency | —L/100km |
| Seating | 5 seats |
Mercedes-Benz X-Class
The V6 X-Class is big, bold and bloody expensive – and it has segment-topping safety tech– but its price-tag swiftly climbs above more than $80,000 when you start adding one of the many optional extras and is it really worth that much beyond the cache of the badge? Really?
Sure, the bigger engine is what most potential X-Class buyers were pushing for after the launch of the four-cylinder-powered utes as part of the first-gen X-Class wave, but is there room – or even actual demand – for such a high-priced supposedly luxury ute?
Read on.
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 3.0L turbo |
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| Fuel Efficiency | 8.8L/100km |
| Seating | 5 seats |
Verdict
Isuzu D-Max8.1/10
As with so many Australian-enhanced utes that rely on local expertise steeped in our once-flourishing automotive industry, the Blade improves the D-Max breed.
In fact, there is no doubt that it is the best D-Max ever sold in Australia – Holden-badged Rodeos and Colorados included.
Is the Blade class-best? Maybe not. But it does not seem to be far behind on first acquaintance. It also looks great and offers decent value for money.
What Walkinshaw has done to the D-Max's on-road dynamics as well as off-road capability quantifiably elevates the Isuzu ute. We’re impressed.
Mercedes-Benz X-Class7/10
The V6 X-Class is nice enough to drive on-road and it’s effective enough off-road, but it’s let down by its less-than-impressive interior and those elements combined certainly do not justify such a high price-tag.
Sure, its safety gear is top-notch but the X-Class, even in this V6 guise, feels like a lacklustre attempt at ute greatness, rather than a real effort.Â
Right now, if you’re in the market for a super-comfortable and capable V6 ute with real class and German precision, check out a top-spec V6 Amarok – and save about $25,000 while you’re at it.
Design
Isuzu D-Max
Dating back to 2019, the current, D-Max range underwent a fairly robust facelift for the 2024 model year, with a restyled bonnet, grille, bumpers and tail-lights amongst other alterations.
Walkinshaw was privy to the changes during the Blade’s development many months out from its global debut, designing a larger and more protruding front grille featuring a hexapod motif and bigger badge.
It also adds black cladding on the bumper and side steps, and a curved 112-Watt light bar for dramatically improved nighttime illumination.
Those wider wheels and tracks, as well as that raised ground clearance, have also necessitated new, 23mm-wider wheel-arch flares, complete with additional cooling. The ones over the rear wheels are lower, too, to provide a more balanced aesthetic given the relatively modest wheel size.
The Blade’s rear sports bar is also a Walkinshaw design.
Satin black replaces chrome where appropriate, including on the door handles, mirrors and badges, while Isuzu brands the Blade with Japanese ‘Katana’ motifs across the doors and tailgate.
Finally, stepping inside the cabin, you’ll find ‘Blade’ embroidered on the headrests and floor mats, and etched into the door sills, while a numbered plaque is fitted in the console.
Otherwise, it’s all LS-U in there. Which is no bad thing.
Mercedes-Benz X-Class
From the outside, the X-Class looks pretty impressive – it’s chunky and blocky and has a real tough-truck presence.
As mentioned, a fair few of the cool exterior touches are actually paid-for options, and our tester was loaded with these extras and, as a result, looked like a work-or-play ready luxury workhorse.
So, it looks pretty good but, as always, looks can be deceiving and the interior is a very different story.
Practicality
Isuzu D-Max
Just in case you missed it, more features including additional USB ports, fresh trim materials and new displays headlined the MY24 D-Max facelift inside.
The most obvious mods centred around redesigned instrumentation and a new 9.0-inch touchscreen. Both gained significantly upgraded functionality, clarity (especially the now-digital reverse camera) and improved graphics, making them better and easier to understand and use.
While not quite as large or roomy inside as, say, a Ranger, the D-Max has stood the test of time well inside, with sufficient space, a good driving position and inviting front seats that provide good support over long distances.
Meanwhile, in the rear of the D-Max’s cabin, the three-person bench is adequately comfortable, while most expected items like USB ports, air-con vents and some under-cushion storage are provided. It’s all pretty civilised inside.
Out back, though, beyond a tub-liner, you will need to pay extra for a tonneau cover, while there are no extra side steps into the bed as per a Ranger, nor power points or surround lighting.
But then, again, this is meant to be a no-nonsense workhorse with extra 4x4 abilities.
It's also worth keeping in mind that the Blade has slightly lower payload capacity, down to 896kg from 985kg. However, it does maintain a 3500kg-braked/750kg-unbraked towing capacity.
Mercedes-Benz X-Class
I’m not a snob about interiors but if I spent almost $90 grand on a ute I’d expect it to have a very high level of fit and finish inside, plenty of storage options and an overall premium feeling inside.
That’s sorely lacking in here.
From the many hard-plastic surfaces, fake leather, brushed-aluminium sections and sort of half-hearted attempts at three-pointed star styling – such as the vents – no part of the interior looks or feels anything like the premium quality you’d expect to find in a Mercedes-Benz.
As for equipment inside, you get the 7.0-inch floating touchscreen and a few other bits and pieces but there are some glaring omissions: you don’t get a reach-adjustable steering wheel, heated seats, or real leather (our tester has the optional black leather seats fitted at a cost of $1750), you don’t get much in the way of storage anywhere, and you don’t get Apple CarPlay or Android Auto – you don’t even get a driver-side grab handle. All of those sort of mod cons, you get in a ute that costs much less than this X-Class.Â
Room and comfort inside is adequate but a long way from unreal for something so pricey.
Driving position is nice, with plenty of vision all-round, but everyone's seats could do with a bit more cushioning and length in the base.
In the grand tradition of all utes, the rear seat is really the realm of young children and, at a stretch, smaller adults, especially for longer trips in the saddle.Â
Storage is minimal in the back seat – you don’t even get a drop-down arm-rest with cup-holder.
Price and features
Isuzu D-Max
Sitting at the very top of the D-Max range, the Blade starts at $76,990 drive-away. Now, that’s some $9000 more than the previous flagship, the continuing X-Terrain.
Keep in mind, though, that the Blade is actually based on the mid-range D-Max LS-U, that starts from almost $15,000 less.
And, as with the Warrior, Thunder, Rogue and Ford Ranger Tremor that Isuzu is chasing, you don’t get any more performance.
To refresh, the LS-U includes auto bi-LED headlights, keyless entry/start with auto walkaway locking, dual-zone climate control, leather/leatherette upholstery, heated and powered front seats, a 7.0-inch driver display, a 9.0-inch central touchscreen, a reverse camera, DAB+ digital radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a tub liner, tailgate assistance and a full-sized spare alloy wheel.
So, what does that extra $15K buy you?
Walkinshaw – formerly of HSV fame but more-recently responsible for the remanufactured (in Melbourne) Ram 1500, Chevrolet Silverado and Toyota Tundra full-sized utes – has brought some significant upgrades to the Blade, in an Australian-exclusive program that’s spanned three years, more than a dozen prototypes and over 100,000km of local testing.
Much of that was in the outback as well as the ex-Holden proving ground at Lang Lang.
Over the regular D-Max, changes include uprated suspension, better clearances, improved underbody protection and bolder visuals.
Kicking things off is a 22.5/25mm front/rear lift (though the coil spring rates remain) due to 16mm-larger Monroe 35mm MTV twin-tube dampers with lifted spring seats. Ground clearance is now 244mm (front) and 215mm (rear axle low point); approach, departure and breakover angles are 29.2 degrees, 19.2° and 25.2° respectively. Wading depth remains at 800mm.
The Blade debuts Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac RT 275/65R17 all-terrain tyres, new 17x8.5-inch flow-formed alloy wheels. As they incorporate a +17-degree offset, tracks are 32mm wider (to 1602mm).
Under the D-Max’s nose is a steel underbody protection bash plate that is double the thickness of the original at 3mm, while the revised load-rated recovery point system includes an integrated cross-member, which braces both chassis rails together for improved torsional rigidity and reduced deflection when under the maximum eight-tonne load from an angle of up to 35 degrees.
Kerb weight jumps to 2204kg, which is a 99kg increase over the LS-U.
With many being ex-Holden, Ford, Toyota and IVECO during their local full-vehicle manufacturing era, Walkinshaw’s 60-strong team of engineers, designers and automotive specialists in Clayton have modified a ute in a similar way, then, that Premcar has turned the Navara into the Warrior. Â
But does the Blade meet Isuzu Ute Australia’s (IUA) brief for improved or upgraded off-road ability, ground clearances, underbody protection, approach angles, lighting and aesthetics?
Keep reading.
Mercedes-Benz X-Class
The 350d Power ($79,415 plus on-road costs*) is the top-spec variant in a two-variant V6 X-Class range; the other variant is the Progressive, which starts from $73,270 plus on-road costs.
Our tester has a 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel engine a seven-speed automatic transmission and permanent all-wheel drive system – all from Benz. All of those certainly make a refreshing change from the Navara-based four-cylinder model that preceded this X-Class. (Price as tested is $88,618, including GST plus on-roads.)
Standard gear includes steering-wheel paddle shifters, 19-inch alloy wheels (our tester had the optional 18-inch rim design, part of the $1990 Style Pack), body-coloured exterior parts with chrome accents, fog-lamps, dusk-sensing LED High Performance headlamps, ARTICO/DINAMICA seat upholstery, ARTICO dash and door sill covering with contrast stitching, Electric front seats with lumbar support, front foot-well, vanity and door illumination lamps, dashboard trim in aluminium and black roof liner and more.
Safety gear includes seven airbags, AEB, tyre-pressure-monitoring system, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Hill Start Assist, 360 degree surround-view camera, i-Size child seat anchorages and more.
The roof rails and side steps add to the X-Class’s commanding appearance, but those are part of the optional $1990 Style Pack, they are not standard.
The silver styling bar ($1551) and the tray liner ($899) also look cool– but they’re optional extras.
Under the bonnet
Isuzu D-Max
Now, if you want more performance in your D-Max, the bad news is the Blade is no more powerful or torquier than the regular version with the same engine.
That, by the way, means it maintains the 3.0-litre four-cylinder direct-injection turbo-diesel engine, delivering 140kW of power at 3600rpm and 450Nm of torque between 1600-2600rpm.
Actually, given that the 2204kg (kerb) Blade seems to be about 100kg heavier than the LS-U equivalent, its power-to-weight ratio slips to 63.5kW/tonne (versus 66.5 in the donor ute).
But, while there aren’t any fancy new electronic AWD systems as per some rivals such as the Ranger, the newcomer continues with the same, trusty old six-speed automatic and part-time 4WD set-up.
Of course, the D-Max is also conventional in its body-on-frame construction, complete with (three-layer) leaf spring rear suspension set-up.
That said, the Blade behaves quite a bit differently both on and off road.
Mercedes-Benz X-Class
The V6 350d Power V6 has a Benz-built 3.0-litre diesel engine (190kW at 3400rpm and 550Nm at 1400rpm-3200rpm), matched to a Benz-built seven-speed auto. It’s a mostly smooth combination and any perceived throttle or turbo lag can be swiftly overcome through switching to one of the more sporty of the five driving modes – one of which is actually called Sport – and making judicious use of the steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The other driving modes are Comfort, Eco, Manual and Off Road and all are designed to adjust throttle input, gear changes and shift times to suit the terrain.
This X-Class has Benz’s 4Matic full-time 4WD system with 4MAT (40:60 torque split for daily driving), 4H (the X-Class’s high range, with 30:70 torque split for looser surfaces) and 4L (aka low range with a 50:50 torque split to suit low-speed 4WDing). The driver uses a simple dial – unfortunately tucked away low down, almost hidden, on the centre console – to switch between these modes.
Efficiency
Isuzu D-Max
Despite weight and body airflow differences, the Blade still uses the same amount of fuel as the regular D-Max, according to Isuzu.
This means 8.0L/100km in the combined average cycle, or 9.8 in the city and 6.8 on the highway runs. This translates to 207, 254 and 180g/km of carbon dioxide emissions respectively.
Or, seen another way, expect a theoretical range of about 950km from each 76-litre tankful of diesel.
What did our fuel trip meter read during the launch event? Around 11L/100km.
Mercedes-Benz X-Class
Fuel consumption is listed as 8.8L/100km (combined).Â
We recorded 10.9L/100km on test and that included plenty of low-speed 4WDing.Â
The V6 X-Class has a 80-litre fuel tank.Â
Driving
Isuzu D-Max
Ever since the current-gen D-Max surfaced back for the 2021 model year, it's been widely regarded as a massive improvement over the previous version, especially in refinement, safety and dynamic behaviour.
You’d never call the 3.0-litre four-pot turbo-diesel quiet or sophisticated, but it is comparatively smooth and very gutsy. Strong off the line, it pulls hard and tows with effortless ease thanks to all that torque. The auto is also a good match, and rarely puts a foot wrong. As the Blade carries on with exactly the same powertrain, nothing changes here.
But, despite leading the class with its standardisation of advanced driver-assist safety tech, the regular D-Max is only a middling effort in terms of on steering, handling and ride qualities.
While light to use and easy to place, the steering has long felt remote compared to the class best, lacking feedback and precision; the suspension helps keep the ute grounded and in control, but the ride is too bumpy and jittery, which can become tiresome.
Plus, the adaptive cruise control and lane-keep safety systems have lacked precision and nuance in their operation, with the latter pin-balling from one side of the lane to another.
Now, the 2024 facelift aimed to address some of these criticisms with a raft of electronic driver-assist and traction-control upgrades, as well as continuous Australian-road tuning, to improve the D-Max’s dynamics.
How much of these contribute to the Blade’s enhanced driveability is not certain, but the net effect is considerable and palpable. Clearly, Walkinshaw’s touch has been transformative.
The new dampers make the driver feel more connected to the road, with better steering feel and response; the suspension rides over bumps with more suppleness for improved comfort, and it feels a little bit more controlled to boot. All this translates to a more enjoyable driving experience.
The Blade brings the D-Max closer to the class-best Ranger, if not quite close enough to be considered amongst the leaders. Still, it's a much better compromise than before.
But, what’s the newest Isuzu like off-road? After all, this is what the mods have been designed for.
Tested out at a 4x4 track in Adelaide, the Blade builds on the D-Max’s already impressive off-road ability, with that little bit of extra lift and ground clearances allowing for the ute to go that much further over challenging terrain.
Though it lacks some of the fancier features you find in some more-expensive machinery like under-vehicle camera views and automatic electronic 4WD mode selection, the basics are all there for serious 4WDing.  Â
Where the Blade stands out compared to regular D-Maxes is in its more comfortable and controlled ride, since the suspension seems to do a better job in dealing with the rough stuff while isolating its occupants from it.
This is quite remarkable considering that proper off-road tyres are not fitted, just Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac RT all-terrain rubber. They feel like an effective compromise for on- as well as off- road use.
All-up, then, the Blade is a better D-Max from behind the wheel.
Mercedes-Benz X-Class
Well, this is where the news gets a little bit better.
The V6 is a much better fit for the X-Class than the four-cylinder and it works well with the seven-speed auto, punching the more-than-2190kg ute along – although there is, at times, a substantial delay between foot down and go-time but, as mentioned earlier, that can be overcome by switching to Sport and using the paddle shifters.
It does sit nicely on the road, and ride and handling are generally okay with the X-Class only infrequently revealing some of the skips and jitters you’d expect of an unladen ute.
The coil-spring suspension tends to yield a spongy, comfortable ride rather than the too-firm ride of a ute, especially those of the leaf-spring variety, with nothing onboard.
Steering is pretty sharp and, despite its bulk, the X-Class is reasonably easy to manoeuvre for its size on- and off-road. It has a 12.8m turning circle.
Safety
Isuzu D-Max
The Blade hasn’t been tested for an ANCAP crash-test rating, but the rest of the D-Max range scores five stars.
Remember that the Isuzu was first ute in Australia with a wide suite of advanced driver-assist tech as standard.
For 2025, it now includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian, cyclist and backover detection, as well as turn-assist and forward collision warning. This operates between 8-160km/h.
You’ll also find lane-support tech as part of the advanced driver-assist systems, that works between 60-130km/h. Included here are 'intelligent' adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert/keep, emergency lane keeping, blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert and brake.
Like all D-Maxes, the Blade also comes with traffic sign recognition, trailer sway control and eight airbags, as well as ISOFIX latches and child-seat tether points in the back seat.
Mercedes-Benz X-Class
A big plus in the X-Class’s favour is its class-leading suite of active safety tech including AEB, lane keeping assist, as well as that 360-degree view camera and more.
It has seven airbags, and a five-star ANCAP rating.
Ownership
Isuzu D-Max
Like all D-Maxes, the Blade offers five years of capped-price servicing, a six-year warranty with a 150,000km distance limit, and seven years of roadside assistance chucked in. IUA likes to call this its 5/6/7 plan.
Finally, service intervals are every year or at 15,000km intervals, with a capped-price servicing offer of $449 per visit.
Mercedes-Benz X-Class
A three-year/200,00km warranty applies to this ute. Service intervals are up to one year/20,000km.