Isuzu MUX: Smaller is better?

by Derek Ogden

What is it?

The selling of grocery items and automobiles grows ever closer, especially in these days of ‘shrinkflation’ -- where products are reduced in size without equivalent price reductions.

I’m not suggesting that Isuzu is taking buyers for a ride with the addition of its smaller-engined MU-X SUV, but claims this adds appeal to the family friendly seven-seater must be taken with a grain of salt.

The only thing it is likely to bring is more sales courtesy of a cheaper price tag.

What’s it cost?

Available in three variants – LS-M 4×2, LS-M 4×4 and LS-U 4×4 – with unique Australian specification, the upgraded MU-X is engineered for a wide range of uses, including city commuting and long-distance touring, with the 1.9-litre delivering linear and progressive torque across the whole rev range.

On test was the MU-X LS-M 1.9L 4×4.

Prices start at $47,400 for the MU-X LS-M 1.9L 4×2, plus on-road costs, and top out at $67,990, driveaway, for the MU-X LS-T 3.0L 4×4.

Price increases are limited from $500 to $2000, marking the first increase in two years.

There’s nothing outlandish about the Isuzu MX-U’s looks with the use of black spread around bodywork, starting with black and gunmetal grey grille and black sidesteps.

Black window trims are joined by black door mirrors and handles.

Lighting is from the latest on offer, with automatic bi-LED headlights and LED daytime running lights with auto-levelling and automatic high beam control.

LED combination tail lights take pride of place at the rear, in an otherwise conservative appearance compared to many SUVs in the class.

One modern exception is a showy 17-inch set of silver alloy wheels shod with 255/65R17Dunlop AT25 All-Terrain tyres, backed up by a spare slung under the vehicle between the rear wheels.

Not the easiest to get at, especially in muddy conditions.

A 7.0-inch infotainment screen has DAB+, smart phone mirroring, voice recognition, wired Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay, plus four-speaker audio.

There is a spot to store a phone ahead of the gear selector.

This can be converted to a wireless charger at a cost of $433.27.

In front of the driver the instrument cluster is unchanged.

There are analogue dials for the revs and speed flanking a carry-over 4.2-inch digital cluster.

The MU-X makes use of Isuzu’s Intelligent Driver Assist, which includes autonomous emergency braking with turn assist, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control with engine stop/start, traffic sign recognition, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, emergency lane keeping, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and trailer sway control.

Reversing camera with dynamic guidelines and eight airbags make up the suite.

The MU-X range is covered by Isuzu’s 6-year/150,000km warranty with capped price servicing and up to seven years roadside assistance.

What’s it go like?

A downmarket polyurethane steering wheel and gear selector contrasts with high-grade cloth trim seven-seat upholstery and carpet flooring.

In the second row there’s a generous amount of passenger space.

The second seats don’t slide but they do recline.

The third row is accessible by getting the second-row seats to fold and tumble.

Once again leg and toe room are friendly to the grown-up. Not so, headspace.

Up front the MU-X includes cupholders that pop out from the dashboard in front of the side air vents, while controls on the centre console include a dial for the four-wheel drive options.

Air conditioning includes rear passenger air vents and controls.

There are ISOFix compatible anchor points on outer two seats of the second row, with three top-tether points.

The LS-M has an electric park brake but makes do with a manual tailgate.

Ute-based SUV has class-leading boot space of 311 litres with all seat backs up, 1119 litres with the third row folded flat, and 2138 litres with the second and third rows folded flat.

Since its local debut in 2022, the 1.9-litre turbo-diesel engine has earned a reputation with motorists and business fleets as a quiet, torquey and fuel-efficient unit.

The four-cylinder engine, producing 110kW of power and 350Nm of torque, is 30kW and 100Nm on the larger established 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel motor.

Both engines are mated with an Aisin six-speed automatic transmission with 4×2 or 4×4 drivetrains optional.

Obvious question: how does the MU-X 1.9 litre go?

Obvious answer: not as well as the 3.0-litre, especially with seven bodies on board.

However, all is not lost, with 110kW at 3600 rpm and 350Nm of torque on tap over 25 per cent of its bandwidth between 1800 and 2600 revs.

More importantly, strong mid-range torque (300Nm) is available from only 1550 to 3700 rpm, delivering a wide range of strong mid-range pulling power.

Isuzu claims the 1.9 motor can save up to 10 per cent (7.4L/100km combined) in fuel over the 3.0 litre unit (8.3L/100km).

The test vehicle recorded 10.9L/100km in city circumstances and 5.4L/100km on the open road.

Off road, 4×4 Terrain Command incorporates a 2-High, 4-High and 4-Low dual range transfer case, plus rear diff lock and Rough Terrain mode.

Limited part-time four-wheel drive means 4H and 4L can be used only on unsealed surfaces.

Switching between 2H and 4H on the fly can be done at speeds up to 100km/h.

Not surprising, braked towing capacity of 3000kg is shy 500kg of 3.0-litre.

However, the 1.9 litre models have increased payload capacities of up to 735kg, close to top of the class.

The range boasts a generous 230mm ground clearance with 28.6-degree approach, 22.6-degree ramp-over and 27.6-degree departure angles and up to 800mm wading depth.

The MU-X’s steering is on the light side, making low-speed manoeuvres easier and the MU-X feeling a tad more nimble.

The lane-centring system can becomes confused bouncing the SUV around the lane.

The latter functions can be turned off easily by buttons on the steering wheel.

What we like?

Cheaper
Uses less fuel
Class-leading boot space

What we don’t like?

Prices up
Difficult to access spare
Wireless charger not standard
Polyurethane steering wheel

The bottom line?

The Isuzu MU-X continues to prove popular, with 15,584 examples of the seven-seat SUV finding homes with Australian families and adventure-seekers, eclipsing the previous annual record of 14,139 sold throughout 2023.