Tough 2024 Isuzu D-MAX Blade detailed in full - carsales.com.au (2025)

The Australian-developed 2024 Isuzu D-MAX Blade tough truck will go on sale as of November 1 priced from $76,990 drive-away, making it the most expensive D-MAX variant to date.

Developed and engineered by Walkinshaw Automotive in collaboration with Isuzu Ute Australia (IUA), the new offering is aimed squarely at the Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior ($68,765 + ORCs), Ford Ranger Tremor ($69,690 + ORCs) and the Toyota HiLux GR Sport ($74,310 plus ORCs).

Not only does the Blade’s asking price put it on par with its chief rivals, it also significantly undercuts the $90,400 Ford Ranger Raptor, but that vehicle is in a whole different performance class compared to the Isuzu and its turbo-diesel counterparts.

The Blade is based on the Thai-built D-MAX LS-U+ – rather than the now penultimate X-TERRAIN – with ‘second stage’ production pegged at around 100 per month out of Walkinshaw’s facility in Melbourne.

IUA has high hopes the Blade will widen the D-MAX’s buying audience to a younger and more urban audience, despite its focus on better off-road performance in the same way the Raptor has won metropolitan-based fans.

The brand has tagged the drive-away pricing as ‘introductory’, but there appears no formal end date – it has a habit of rolling out drive-away pricing for selected models and maintaining it indefinitely.

As is normal with Australian- rather than factory-developed performance utes, budget restrictions and timelines prevent any output increases for the Blade’s 140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine. It will also come standard with the D-MAX’s usual Aisin six-speed automatic transmission.

Importantly, the standard D-MAX’s 3500kg braked towing capability is retained and the payload is still a healthy 896kg.

The focus is on upgrading the ride, handling and steering and toughening the looks with an exterior-focussed body kit.

Key upgrades include twin tube 35mm Monroe MTV dampers, unique 17-inch flow-formed alloy wheels shod with 275/65R17 Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac RT all-terrain tyres (down from 18-inch H/Ts) and the most expensive item in the program; a unique two-piece grille with bold ‘ISUZU’ lettering.

Every unique item added to create the Blade is listed below.

That said, the standard springs were retained – indicating the cost restriction of the program – and a 29mm lift in ride height achieved by new spring seats with help from the rolling stock, which also provide a 32mm wider track.

Ground clearance only increased 4mm to 244mm however on account of a 1.5mm-thicker, Walkinshaw-developed 3mm steel powder-coated bash plate eats up most of the ride height gains.

The new bash plate also explains why the approach angle has dipped from 30.5 to 29.2 degrees.

The positive is the diff pumpkin, which used to be lowest underbody component to the ground, is now tucked well out of the way.

Meanwhile, the departure angle, including towbar, has increased from 19 to 19.2 degrees and the breakover angle from 23.8 to 25.2 degrees. The turning circle increases slightly from 12.5 to 12.65m.

Fitted behind the bash plate is a dual-hook recovery point load rated to 8000kg that features an integrated cross-member. It braces both chassis rails together for improved torsional rigidity and eliminates deflection when under maximum load.

These changes and additions are allied with retained D-Max off-roading features such as low range gearing, a rear diff lock and new-for-2024 front wheel traction control. The underpinning ladder frame chassis is also unchanged.

The exterior body package includes not only the grille – which has an integrated 112-watt lightbar – and wheels but also fender flares, chassis-mounted tubular side steps, sports bars and decorative stickers.

The D-MAX’s ‘Katana’ styling line through the doors is accentuated by a series of black geometric stripes. The Blade name was inspired by this design motif.

Inside there are few changes beyond the ‘BLADE’ headrest embroidery and embossed scuff plates. A build plate is located in both the engine bay and on the gear selector.

Standard interior equipment sourced from LS-U+ includes a 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a powered driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control, a tub liner, tyre pressure monitoring and autonomous emergency braking.

The Blade is covered by the same six-year/150,000km factory warranty, seven-year roadside assist and capped price servicing program ($449 every 12 months/15,000km for five years) as every other D-MAX.

The project has taken three years, more than a dozen prototypes and 100,000km of durability testing – including trips to the outback – to complete. The damper tune alone went through 30 iterations.

IUA completed the deal with Walkinshaw Auto only after a global search for potential partners, one that included Iceland’s famous Arctic Trucks.

carsales understands fellow-Melbourne based Premcar, which developed and assembles the Warrior family for Nissan, ended up being Walkinshaw’s closest rival for the gig.

It’s also understood the chances of the Blade emerging through Isuzu’s factory channels were ruled out early on due to time and cost factors.

“In the end, we chose to partner with Walkinshaw due to their unrivalled local LCV experience and local engineering and design talent pool - with the finished product speaking for itself,” IUA managing director Junta Matsui said.

35mm Monroe MTV dampers
3mm heavy-duty bash plate
8000kg recovery points
Satin black 17x8.5-inch alloys
275/65R17 Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac RT all-terrain tyres
Satin black front grille with ‘ISUZU’ lettering
Satin black front bumper cladding
Satin black fender flares with integrated air curtains
Widened mudflaps
‘BLADE’ tailgate letting
Satin black tailgate badging
Satin black decals
Satin black tubular sidesteps
Satin black one-piece extended sports bar with integrated stop lamp
Tinted lens 112W integrated lightbar
Embroidered head rest
Embroidered floor mats
Embossed scuff plates
Individually numbered BLADE identification plaques
Basalt Black tailgate and door handles
Basalt Black door mirrors

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