Mercedes-Benz X-Class vs Isuzu D-Max

What's the difference?

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Mercedes-Benz X-Class
Mercedes-Benz X-Class

$31,950 - $59,990

2020 price

Isuzu D-Max
Isuzu D-Max

$32,700 - $78,900

2025 price

Summary

2020 Mercedes-Benz X-Class
2025 Isuzu D-Max
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Diesel Turbo 4, 2.3L

Diesel Turbo 4, 3.0L
Fuel Type
Diesel

Diesel
Fuel Efficiency
7.9L/100km (combined)

8.0L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • Confused interior design
  • No Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
  • Pricey

  • Too many decals
  • No power and torque increase
  • Could do with more mods
2020 Mercedes-Benz X-Class Summary

Some of my favourite television shows or movies are flawed. When I talk to people about those films and about those flaws, there's a pattern - they don't know what they are and are therefore a bit confused. I don't know why that appeals to me, it just does.

Cars can be like that. There are some cars that aren't sure what they are. One of the exemplars of this is the Toyota C-HR - a small SUV aimed at young get-up-and-go types but bought almost exclusively by baby boomers, attracted to the badge. Young folks want more performance, lower cost and Apple CarPlay.

Hindsight suggests that the less-than-stellar sales performance of the much-heralded Mercedes ute, the X-Class, might be down to confusion. Mercedes thought it would be one thing and it turns out the market thinks it's another.

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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.

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Deep dive comparison

2020 Mercedes-Benz X-Class 2025 Isuzu D-Max

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