Isuzu MUX: Consistency pays off

What is it?

Isuzu MU-X is a seven-seat family SUV from a Japanese company that has a long history of producing hard working vehicles.

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

MU-X is one of only two vehicles offered by the Isuzu Ute brand alongside the D-Max utility with which it shares the same chassis and numerous other components.

It’s been a major success here and currently sits in second place behind the Ford Everest and well ahead of other ute-based rivals such as Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Toyota Fortuner.

What’s it cost?

Originally powered exclusively by a 3.0-litre, four-cylinder, common-rail turbo-diesel, a 2024 upgrade to both MU-X and D-Max added the option of a 1.9-litre, turbo-diesel unit.

The smaller engine proved to be short-lived and has been replaced by a new 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine that provides more power and torque, lower emissions and greater towing capacity.

At the same time the chassis and suspension were upgraded along with technical and safety improvements.

A new flagship model called X-Terrain was added with the update, joining the existing LS-M, LS-U and LS-T.

Entry level LS-M is available with either two- or four-wheel drive; the others are all 4×4 only.

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

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 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.

Two new exterior colours have been added to the MY2025 MU-X, Neptune Blue and Slate Grey.

Our test vehicle here was the X-Terrain, finished in the exclusive Slate Grey.

We’ll get into one of the 2.2-litre models early next year.

X-Terrain adds XT badging, black radiator grille, fender flares and 20-inch gloss black alloy wheels, lower body side skirts and highway-terrain tyres.

The LS-M comes with a 7.0-inch colour touchscreen and four-speaker audio. Others get a 9.0-inch screen and eight JVC Kenwood speakers.

Likewise, LS-M comes with a smaller 4.2-inch driver’s information display compared to the 7.0-inch screen in LS-U, LS-T and X-Terrain.

In bright sunshine we struggled to read the screen with light bouncing of it.

Fortunately, there are two physical controls for the audio and some toggles below the screen to adjust the aircon settings.

LS-M misses out on built-in navigation; it’s included in other grades.

Connectivity is by way of wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

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

Subsequent upgrades have added numerous extra features as required by ANCAP to maintain the maximum score.

Standard safety features across the range start with eight airbags including a front centre and driver’s knee protection, together with the mandatory stability and traction control and autonomous emergency braking (AEB).

Isuzu’s Intelligent Driver Assist adds 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 braking and trailer sway control.

There’s also hill start assist and descent control, roll-over mitigation, post-collision braking, forward collision warning, mis-acceleration mitigation, intelligent speed limiter, driver inattention assist, rear cross traffic alert and ISOFix child seat anchors for the outer centre-row seats.

Rear parking sensors are standard in all variants, but only the LS-U and above get front sensors.

LS-T and X-Terrain also come with a 360-degree surround view camera.

MU-X is covered by Isuzu’s unusual 6-year/150,000km warranty – most of its rivals have five years and unlimited distance.

It also gets capped price servicing and up to seven years of roadside assistance.

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 an off-road machine.

There’s excellent interior space for all occupants with tumbling second-row seats making access to the third-row reasonably easy.

X-Terrain gets leather accented seats with red stitching, red ambient interior lighting and a 360-degree surround view monitor.

There are cup holders in all three rows, 12 in total as well as 18 storage options.

Boot space with the third-row seats folded is 1119 litres, dropping down to a reasonable 311 litres with all seven seats in place.

All models come with full size spare wheels, all bolted beneath the rear of the vehicle — steel in the LS-M and LS-U, alloy in the LS-T and X-Terrain.

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

Transmission is through a six-speed Aisin automatic.

The new 2.2-litre drops to 120kW and 400Nm but gets an Aisin eight-speed auto.

With its 235mm of ground clearance, getting into and out of the MU-X X-Terrain can be challenging especially for occupants at opposite ends of the age range.

Black sidesteps and grab handles at all doors do help.

As is the norm nowadays there are numerous safety settings that are accessed via the touchscreen.

They are nowhere near as intrusive as many other, mainly Chinese vehicles, and can be turned off reasonably easily.

Kia Stonic: Not so basic

As is often the way with turbo-diesels, MU-X is a bit sluggish off the mark but once it gains momentum it responds quickly.

There’s strong mid-range torque delivering a plenty of pulling power.

Steering is on the light side, making low-speed manoeuvrers easier and providing good feedback.

The vehicle turns in nicely and holds the path chosen by the driver without the need for small changes to keep it on the chosen path.

Keep in mind that you’re driving a 4WD, not a passenger car — but it is excellent in the way that it responds to road conditions.

Fuel consumption with the X-Terrain is listed as 7.8L/100km.

We didn’t spend much time off-road and averaged just under 9.0 L/100km. Pretty good for such a large and relatively heavy vehicle.

What we like?

Five-star safety
Tall load area
Protection from sun for front seat
Safety assist not too intrusive

What we don’t like?

Struggled to read the screen in bright sunlight
Unusual 6-year warranty
Getting in and out challenging
Sluggish off the mark

The bottom line?

Isuzu’s stock-in-trade diesel power and genuine off-road ability have drawn consistently high sales numbers to the MU-X throughout the six years that it has been on the Australian market.

It’s well-priced, powerful and versatile, combining large and comfortable family transport with genuine off-road capability.

We have one in our family that spends most of its time either transporting children around, or using its 3500kg towing capacity to comfortably pull a double horse float.