Ford Transit Custom vs Isuzu D-Max

What's the difference?

VS
Ford Transit Custom
Ford Transit Custom

2026 price

Isuzu D-Max
Isuzu D-Max

$32,700 - $78,900

2025 price

Summary

2026 Ford Transit Custom
2025 Isuzu D-Max
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Diesel Turbo 4, 2.0L

Diesel Turbo 4, 3.0L
Fuel Type
Diesel

Diesel
Fuel Efficiency
7.6L/100km (combined)

8.0L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • Side window/cargo bay rattles
  • No assist-handle on L/H A-pillar

  • Too many decals
  • No power and torque increase
  • Could do with more mods
2026 Ford Transit Custom Summary

For tradies, mid-sized commercial vans (2.5 to 3.5-tonne GVM) are like warehouses on wheels given they can offer up to 6.0 cubic metres or more of secure load volume.

However, these workhorses usually only have seating for two (sometimes three) which is a deal-breaker for those that need to carry a larger crew. And they generally don’t have visual appeal with a utilitarian mix of fridge white paint, unpainted plastic bumpers, steel wheels and minimal bling.

By comparison, full-size dual-cab US pick-ups offers palatial rear seat comfort for three large adults, with flat floors and ample leg, shoulder and headroom. However, their formidable external dimensions can be impractical for urban use and they usually come with six-figure price tags.

However, for tradies prepared to look beyond the usual offerings, a vehicle like Ford’s Transit Custom Sport Double Cab could provide the best of both worlds, by combining much of the cavernous load volume of a mid-sized commercial van with the spacious rear seating of a big American pick-up.

We recently spent a week aboard this unique blue-oval offering to see it if has the comfort, performance and practicality to be a genuine alternative to a ute or conventional van for tradie use.

View full pricing & specs
2025 Isuzu D-Max Summary

Carmakers nowadays are increasingly entering into collaborations with vehicle-engineering companies in order to develop “special” vehicles.

Why? 

Well, for one thing, car buyers now demand much more than a mere sticker pack on their 4WD if that vehicle has been marketed as a limited-edition/special-edition/whatever version of the standard vehicle on which it’s based.

And these special vehicles have proven very popular because they benefit from the substantial engineering work undertaken away from the OEM.

You only have to look at the recent collaborations between Nissan Australia and Melbourne-based vehicle engineering company, Premcar, on the Navara and Patrol Warrior to see that Premcar and companies of the same ilk can be entrusted with conversion work, engineering upgrades and the fitment of off-road accessories in order to add real value to a vehicle.

And so it is that Isuzu has joined forces with Walkinshaw Automotive Group to develop the D-Max Blade.

Based on the LS-U+, the Blade was developed locally and among its enhancements over and above the D-Max on which it’s based, it has Aussie-tuned lifted suspension, a lightbar, underbody protection, light truck construction all-terrain tyres and some Blade-specific design enhancements.

But with the same powertrain as a LS-U+ and no power and torque improvements, is the Blade worthy of your consideration?

Read on.

View full pricing & specs

Deep dive comparison

2026 Ford Transit Custom 2025 Isuzu D-Max

Change vehicle