Isuzu MU-X: The economy option

by Alistair Kennedy  What is it? Isuzu MU-X is a large 4WD from a Japanese company that has a long history of producing hard working vehic...

by Alistair Kennedy 

What is it?

Isuzu MU-X is a large 4WD from a Japanese company that has a long history of producing hard working vehicles.

Indeed, Isuzu has a history dating back for over 100 years in light commercial vehicles including a couple of decades when they sold here rebadged as Holdens.

MU-X has been a major success in Australia, currently sitting in second place behind Ford Everest and almost double the sales of other ute-based rivals such as Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Toyota Fortuner.

The major change that came with the MY2024 upgrade that arrived earlier this year was the option of a smaller engine.

The 1.9-litre turbo-diesel joins the long-established 3.0-litre turbo-diesel unit.

Both engines are available with the three MU-X grades: LS-M, LS-U and LS-T, as is the choice of two- or four-wheel drive.

What’s it cost?

MU-X is a good-looking vehicle that’s going to appeal to family buyers looking for something more than an upmarket station wagon.

The LS-M has a black and gunmetal grey grille, LS-U and LS-T gets a Magnetite and black chrome grille.

Both have a large ‘Isuzu’ badge top and centre.

The bonnet is tall and slopes down at the outer edges.

The windscreen has a practical, relatively upright slope that doesn’t reach too far back and therefore keeps the sun off the driver and front passenger.

The roof stretches back so that it provides a tall load area, again adding to the practical nature of this vehicle.

Prices for the 1.9-litre model start at $47,400 for the 4x2 LS-M, $2000 less than the equivalent 3.0-litre version.

The 4x4 LS-M 1.9-litre turbo-diesel auto is priced from $53,400, while the LS-U 1.9 is priced from $59,900.

Each grade rolls on different wheel sizes, 17-inch for the LS-M, 18s for the LS-U and 20s on the LS-T.

The LS-M variant comes with a 7.0-inch colour touchscreen and four-speaker audio, the LS-U and LS-T get a 9.0-inch screen and eight JVC Kenwood speakers.

Connectivity is by way of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

The Isuzu Ute MU-X gained a five-star safety when tested in September, 2022.

Isuzu’s Intelligent Driver Assistance System combines active and passive safety with driver assistance technology.

It has eight airbags which includes a front centre airbag between the driver and the front passenger.

Other safety features across the range include Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go Functionality, Traffic Sign Recognition and Intelligent Speed Limiter.

There's also Autonomous Emergency Braking, Post-Collision Braking, Forward Collision Warning and Mis-acceleration Mitigation, along with Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control, Roll-Over Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Departure Prevention, Lane Keep Assist, Driver Inattention Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

The top-spec LS-T gets front and rear parking sensors, the others only have rear sensors.

The outer centre-row seats come with ISO FIX compatible child seat anchor points.

What’s it go like?

Inside, MU-X has an upmarket look as it’s aimed at those who want a quality family vehicle, not simply a semi off-road machine.

With a dozen cup holders and 18 storage options, the cabin offers practical and comfortable surroundings with excellent leg, head and shoulder room for all occupants.

Tumbling second-row seats provide access to the third-row seating reasonably easy.

Seats are cloth in the LS-M and LS-U with quilted leather-accents and white stitching in the LS-T.

LS-T has heated front seats, with improved eight-way power adjustment on the driver’s side with under-thigh adjustment, power adjustable lumbar support and four-way power adjustment for the passenger.

The instrument cluster has analogue dials for tacho and speedo, with a 4.2-inch Multi-Information Display between them.

This includes a digital speedometer, turn-by-turn navigation instructions, drive modes, fuel usage and vehicle range information.

There’s no wireless smartphone charging in any model.

The 3.0-litre four-cylinder common-rail turbo-diesel engine has maximum power of 140kW and peak torque of 450Nm from a low 1600 rpm.

The new 1.9 four has outputs of 110kW and 350Nm from 1800 revs.

Both engines are linked to a six-speed Aisin automatic transmission and come with the choice of two- or four-wheel drive.

It’s a bit slow to respond off the mark as is often the way in turbo-diesels .

Once it’s up and running it does what you ask promptly and is enjoyable to drive.

It’s not quite car like in the way it drives, however, but provides good feel from the steering wheel as to what vehicle is doing.

It turns in nicely and holds the path chosen by the driver without the need for small changes.

Keep in mind that you’re driving a 4WD not a passenger car and it’s excellent in the way that it responds to road conditions.

Towing capacity with the 3.0-litre MU-X is 3500kg, dropping down to 3000kg for the 1.9-litre.

Fuel consumption from the 1.9-litre engine is listed at 7.4L/100km.

We averaged 8.1L/100km during our test.

The MU-X comes with an odd six-year/150,000 km warranty – most rivals have five years and unlimited distance.

There’s also seven years of roadside assistance and seven years capped-price servicing available.

What we like?

• Looks smart
• Spec'd the same
• Pleasant to drive
• Better fuel consumption

What we don’t like?

• Needs a price cut
• Slow off the line
• Truck-like to drive
• Reduced tow rating

The bottom line?

Dealing, these days, mainly with SUVs that would run a mile rather than tackle tough terrain, it was good to get behind the wheel of a genuine off-road wagon in the shape of the Isuzu MU-X.

We have a 3.0-litre model in our family that shares its time between transporting our grandchildren around or using its 3500kg towing capacity to effortlessly pull a horse float.

The new 1.9-litre engine cuts $2000 from the price of the 3.0-litre but towing capacity is reduced from 3500 to 3000kg.

Otherwise, specification for each variant is the same.

There is another MU-X upgrade on the way and it’s likely to pick up a number of improvements that have been added to the latest D-MAX.

 

CHECKOUT: Smaller engine, price cut for Isuzu’s MU-X

CHECKOUT: Isuzu D-Max: Dash without flash