Renault Trafic vs Isuzu D-Max

What's the difference?

VS
Renault Trafic
Renault Trafic

$49,000 - $63,990

2025 price

Isuzu D-Max
Isuzu D-Max

$32,700 - $78,900

2025 price

Summary

2025 Renault Trafic
2025 Isuzu D-Max
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Diesel Turbo 4, 2.0L

Diesel Turbo 4, 3.0L
Fuel Type
Diesel

Diesel
Fuel Efficiency
6.5L/100km (combined)

8.0L/100km (combined)
Seating
3

5
Dislikes
  • No ANCAP star rating
  • No driver’s left footrest
  • Paying extra for safety

  • Too many decals
  • No power and torque increase
  • Could do with more mods
2025 Renault Trafic Summary

After more than four decades in production and global sales exceeding 2.2 million units, the Trafic has established a loyal following in Australia.

In fact, according to Renault, Australia is the largest market for its popular mid-sized van outside of Europe. Perhaps this is not surprising given our thriving light commercial vehicle market, in which the 2.5-3.5-tonne GVM van segment is one of the most competitive with eight brands vying for buyers.

The current (third) generation Trafic, which was given a facelift and upgraded equipment/safety in 2022, is available in eight configurations. These include a crew van variant plus two wheelbase lengths and three equipment levels comprising Pro, Premium and Lifestyle.

We recently became reacquainted with the Trafic, in base model workhorse guise, to see how it compares to the current crop of rivals from a tradie’s perspective.

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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

2025 Renault Trafic 2025 Isuzu D-Max

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