Looking for an SUV that can also double as a ute? Well, Isuzu is here to merge the requirements of those family requirements without making you compromise on your long-range driving and occasional towing. The great thing about the MU-X is that it has got a freshly calibrated driving assistant which makes driving this car a fun and engaging experience. With 3.5-tonne towing capacity, you’ll have to find another excuse to not take that trailer or boat for a fun getaway.

Pros:

• Rough road mode is quite responsive and effective
• 800mm of wading depth
• Torque distribution is great. Better than Isuzu D-MAX
  

Cons:

• No 360-degree camera.
• Lane-keeping assist isn’t effective at all.
• Any driving assistant takes upto 7 seconds to turn on.
  

What’s new?

• Minor facelift
• Refined front grille
• Rough road mode
  

Major competitors of this car are Ford Everest, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Toyota Fortuner. Sure, the competitors are some of the heavyweights in the segment but Isuzu has been known to hold its weight over the years.

Exteriors

Styling Elements

Okay, Isuzu has made some minor updates to the front grille which makes it look sharp. There isn’t a very discernable difference between the front grilles of the previous iteration vs. the new one but upon closer inspection, you’ll notice that the grille blades are now slimmer and the overall aesthetic of the front grille may want to make you use the word ‘slender’. There are some air inlets under the Isuzu logo which has now been further compressed.

The headlight cluster is quite contained to one place, I don’t know about you but I personally prefer my headlights contained and not scattered into 3 stages. The headlights are fully LED with LED DRLs overarching. What I noted about the cluster distastefully is that the indicator is on the inside of headlights, functionally speaking, they would make so much more sense had they been on the outside. The rear headlight cluster is the same as the older version. It still has partial LED rear lights and the remainder is incandescent globes in the name of indicators which are properly placed, thankfully!

Another great element is that if you walk upto the tailgate with your proximity key, the door opens automatically. This is the sole redeeming factor to an otherwise bland rear-style design.

Colour Options

There are alot of colour options that are offered to the consumers by Isuzu for MU-X. However, variant-wise segmentation for colours is something I’m not personally a fan of. Here’s the list of colours that you can get in each variant;

Colours of Isuzu MU-X LS-M - Basalt Black mica | Cobalt Blue mica | Magnetic Red mica | Mercury Silver metallic | Mineral White | Obsidian Grey mica

Colours of Isuzu MU-X LS-U - Moonstone White pearl | Galaxy Blue mica |  Basalt Black mica | Cobalt Blue mica | Magnetic Red mica | Mercury Silver metallic | Mineral White | Obsidian Grey mica

Colours Isuzu MU-X of LS-T - Moonstone White pearl | Galaxy Blue mica |  Basalt Black mica | Cobalt Blue mica | Magnetic Red mica | Mercury Silver metallic | Mineral White | Obsidian Grey mica

Wheel Design

Whenever we get to write about a car which has multiple wheel size options, we know that it is great at urban driving as well as cross-country driving. This adaptability of a car will not be of use or go out of style. Here are the wheel sizes you can get your MU-X in;

• Wheel size of Isuzu MU-X LS-M - 17-inch alloy wheels with single-spoke chrome finish
  
• Wheel size of Isuzu MU-X LS-U - 18-inch alloy wheels with curved winged tungsten silver finish
  
• Wheel size of Isuzu MU-X LS-T - 20-inch alloy wheels with metallic two-toned machine finish

Interiors

Interior Layout & Space

Inside the Isuzu MU-X, the overall feel of the cabin is quite good, there are ample soft-touch surfaces across the cabin, even on the dashboard, which is always nice. It isn’t necessary to cushion up the dashboard but it reflects upon the thinking of the manufacturer in terms of comfort for the consumer.

I particularly liked the infotainment screen placement and how the air vents complement it. This gives it a very winged aesthetic to the entire cluster. Speaking of clusters, there is a cluster on both sides of the toggle stick which are blank buttons, even in the top-spec MU-X, these buttons don’t have a purpose.

Space in the back is quite decent, nothing to create an uproar but nothing that’ll die down with a whimper either. There is a decent amount of headroom and legroom, however, the toe room might feel a bit restricted which will inevitably make you uncomfortable on longer journeys.

The third row was an unexpected surprise to me, the third row was extremely spacious, sure the headroom was a bit less than it was in the second row but the legroom and toe room are competitive when compared to the row ahead.

Comfort & Ergonomics

The MU-X gets leather accented seats, an electric eight-way adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support and an electric four-way adjustable front passenger seat along with variable heated front driver & passenger seats. This creates an extremely comforting ambience within the MU-X which makes it ideal for off-roading as well as long journeys. Ambient lighting also adds onto the overall comfort of the car.

Boot

There is around 311 litres of boot space available, which considering it is a 7-seater SUV, is ample because manufacturers want to give you a decent yet expandable boot. Once the third row is collapsed, the boot space increases upto 1119 litres, which is ample for those long road trips you’re holding out on.

But if it is just the two of you that’s when things start to get fun. Collapse the third row and you have infront of you a gigantic boot space of 2138 litres. Another point to note is that the second row doesn’t collapse, it collapses and tumbles which means you can’t put a mattress or something like that, which might make it difficult for

Technology & Infotainment

While the technology features are remarkable, I did feel that the infotainment screen is underwhelming and less powered than you’d want it to. Ford Everest has taken that leap and landed amongst some of the most ready to take a trip on car category, hopefully, we’ll get a decent-size upgrade on the infotainment front from Isuzu as well.

Technology Features

• Front bucket whiplash protection seats
• 6-way adjustable driver seat
• 8-way electric adjustable driver seat
• Variable heated front driver and passenger seats
• Dual-zone climate control air-conditioning with integrated heater/demister
• Pollen and fine particle air filter
• Walk away door lock
• Ambient door lighting
• 4 & 8 speaker sound system
  

Connectivity Options

• 7 & 9-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Built-in satellite navigation with MID-turn-by-turn directions
• Two rear centre console USB charging ports
• Urethane steering wheel with cruise, audio and voice recognition controls
• 12-volt power outlets in the lower instrument panel and rear cargo area
• AM/FM
• Digital Radio & DAB
  

Performance & Engine

Engine Specifications

Transmission & Drive System

The MU-X comes with two good engine options; the strongest is the 4-cylinder 3-litre Turbo Diesel engine which generates around 187 Bhp and 450 Nm of torque. This engine is mated to a 6-speed sports automatic transmission. The alternative engine option is available in fewer variants, the engine is the 4-cylinder 1.9-litre Turbo Diesel which generates 147 Bhp and 350 Nm of torque. This engine is also mated to a 6-speed sports automatic transmission. However, I suggest you opt for the weaker engine only if you want a big car for urban driving and long journeys. The 1.9-litre turbo may serve you well on light off-roading adventures but may not be able to contain itself on the challenging terrains we have here in the land down under.

Braking System

The braking system is quite nice. Nothing to boast about but nothing that will end the world for you. While I do like to see disc brakes in SUVs, the MU-X has disc brakes infront and the rear one has the old drum brakes which aren’t too bad.

The entire car comes to a total halt from 100km/h to 0 in about 4.32 seconds and 43 meters. Which isn’t very bad but then again it isn’t very good. So make of that what you will.

Fuel Economy & Efficiency

The fuel economy of the MU-X is quite decent, the 4WD variant with a 3-litre engine gives you an economy of 8.4 litres of gas for every 100 km,  however, the 4WD variant with a 1.9-litre turbocharged engine is far better averaging an economy of 7.4 litres of gas for every 100 km.

The 2WD variant with a 3-litre engine averages around 7.8 litres of gas for 100 km which isn’t bad at all, however, the price variation seems considerable when you notice that the 2WD variant with a 1.9-litre engine also gives the same economy as the 4WD variant with the same engine specification.

Handling & Driving Dynamics

Unlike the Pajero Sport but very much like the Toyota Fortuner, the MU-X can be driven on 2 2-wheel drive high range on sealed surfaces and the 4-wheel drive high & low range is for unsealed surfaces. Essentially it mean that the MU-X is good in 2WD mode on proper roads but if you have coarse tracks which are either mud, sand or soil then it is best to switch into 4WD.

Behind the wheel of the 3-litre turbo diesel engine 4WD variant of the MU-X, it feels like there’s more torque than Isuzu claims, the power is palpitable and you can feel yourself jetting through the roads in a much more thundering manner than you’d be with a 450 Nm of torque.

The steering of the MU-X is extremely nice and light which makes manoeuvring this giant car a walk in the park. It is quite a relief and way better than Pajero Sport. However, do mind the fact that light steering and powerful car may jump ahead sooner and faster than you aim for, take your time to assimilate into your car and understand how it picks itself up before getting creative about it.

Safety Features

• 4-channel 4-sensor Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
• Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• Traction Control System (TCS)
• Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop and Go Functionality
• Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR)
• Intelligent Speed Limiter
• Manual Speed Limiter
• Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) BSM/RCTA
• Auto Switch Off (disables BSM/RCTA when the genuine tow harness is connected)
• Reversing Camera with dynamic guidelines
• Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) BSM/RCTA Auto Switch Off (disables BSM/RCTA when the genuine tow harness is connected) Reversing Camera with dynamic guidelines
  

Advanced Safety Features

• Hill Start Assist (HSA)
• Hill Descent Control (HDC)
• Roll-Over Mitigation (ROM)
• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
• Turn Assist with AEB
• Post-Collision Braking (PCB)
• Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
• Misacceleration Mitigation
• Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
• Lane Departure Prevention (LDP)
• Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
• Emergency Lane Keeping (ELK)
• Lane Support System (LSS)
• Switch (disables LDW, LDP, LKA, ELK)
• Driver Attention Assist
  

Crash Test Ratings

The Isuzu MU-X has been awarded a 5-star ANCAP rating in the test that was conducted in 2022. The rating expires in December 2028. Following is a brief breakdown of the test results. Here’s a link to the detailed report.

• Adult Occupant Protection - 86%
• Child Occupant Protection - 85%
• Vulnerable Road User Protection - 69%
• Safety Assist - 84%

Ownership Experience

Owning an Isuzu MU-X can be a practical choice for adventure-oriented families or those who prioritise capability over creature comforts. The spacious and comfortable interior offers ample seating for seven and plenty of cargo space for gear, making it ideal for road trips and outdoor excursions. Its robust build and proven off-road capability with high ground clearance and four-wheel drive options inspire confidence when tackling rough terrain. Additionally, the Isuzu engine is renowned for its reliability and durability, promising a long ownership experience with minimal maintenance hassles. However, there are some trade-offs. The MU-X prioritises function over form, with a no-frills interior that might feel less luxurious compared to some competitors. The infotainment system might be considered basic by some users. Additionally, fuel efficiency might not be its strongest suit, especially when compared to modern SUVs. Overall, the Isuzu MU-X ownership experience is a good fit for those who value practicality, durability, and off-road prowess. However, those seeking a luxurious interior, cutting-edge technology, or top-tier fuel efficiency might want to consider other options in the large SUV segment.

Major Drawbacks

• No on-road driving modes like in the Pajero Sport and Toyota Fortuner.
• Extremely prone to body roll and traction control is extremely intrusive.
• Body control is loose. On bumpy roads, you can feel quite a bit of the bounce within the cabin.
  
  

Major Strengths

• The technology features now are extremely useful and don’t hamper the driving experience.
• The rear sensors now accommodate whatever you’re towing which means that your car won’t ding the proximity alert alarm prematurely.
• The road noise is contained for the most part. However, when you go faster, the engine noise does seep into the cabin.
  

Maintenance & Warranty Information

Every Isuzu car comes with a comprehensive warranty list. A comprehensive bumper-to-bumper warranty of 6 years or 150,000km warranty, whichever comes first. Additionally, Isuzu offers a 7-year roadside assistance program for all its consumers which comes in handy more often than not for novice drivers.

If you opt for the Service Plus Driving Report, Isuzu will personally inspect your vehicle and driving type in order to give you a comprehensive report on the necessary maintenance schedules which will help you make the most of your Isuzu.

The best for last, Isuzu offers a flat 5-year flat price servicing which essentially means its capped service costs for ease of mind and further clarity and transparency of maintenance costs for the Isuzu. Take a look;

Verdict

The Isuzu MU-X has got the most minor facelift so far in the year 2024. However, the recalibrated features are sometimes too sensitive, some are not sensitive at all and some are just perfect. My suggestion is that they have what they need now they just need to fine-tune it in accordance with the Australian conditions. The off-roading abilities are exemplary, as we expected out of Isuzu, no disappointments there. However, the on-road conditions need to be improved which is something we can look forward to in the following years.

Reference

Brochure

Owners Manual