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Ford Transit Custom vs Isuzu D-Max

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Ford Transit Custom
Ford Transit Custom

$56,500 - $62,990

2025 price

Isuzu D-Max
Isuzu D-Max

$32,700 - $78,900

2025 price

Summary

2025 Ford Transit Custom
2025 Isuzu D-Max
Safety Rating

Engine Type

Diesel Turbo 4, 3.0L
Fuel Type
-

Diesel
Fuel Efficiency
-

8.0L/100km (combined)
Seating
-

5
Dislikes
  • Conservative exterior styling
  • Limited model choices
  • Diesel only? Where’s the hybrid, Ford?

  • Too many decals
  • No power and torque increase
  • Could do with more mods
2025 Ford Transit Custom Summary

Everybody knows the bestselling vehicles in Australia are utes.

It’s been like that since the middle of last decade when the Toyota HiLux and more latterly, the Ford Ranger steamrolled their way to the top of the pops.

But did you know in the UK in 2021 and 2022 the number-one vehicle was the recently-superseded Ford Transit Custom?

Now there’s the all-new, fifth-gen version (and the second to wear the Custom suffix), arriving at your Ford dealers now across Australia, targeting the Hyundai Staria Load and the evergreen Toyota HiAce amongst a troop of others.

A pioneer amongst mid-sized vans, the British-born, Türkiye-built Transit Custom has long traded on European engineering – with premium pricing to match.

Is the newcomer worth the extra money? Let’s find out.

 

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Interested in a Ford Transit Custom?
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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Interested in an Isuzu D-Max?

Deep dive comparison

2025 Ford Transit Custom 2025 Isuzu D-Max

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