New 4×4 wagon from Isuzu arrives but does it meet expectations in a higher price bracket?
Isuzu’s new MU-X arrives as car sales take off and so do prices; used and new, manufacturers and dealers are pushing past the old norm. Isuzu is no stranger to increasing prices, releasing the new generation D-Max with a notch up not long ago. For MU-X it means prices shift around $4000 to $10,000 north depending on which of the three trims you shop for.
This top-spec LS-T is most affected – sort of. It comes with a 4×2 drivetrain for $59,900 plus on-road costs, up a considerable $9800, or a part-time 4×4 drivetrain for $65,900 (up $8500). However, driveaway pricing at $63,990 brings considerable savings for the 4×4 LS-T. Oddly, Isuzu is not offering driveaway deals anywhere else in the range meaning you’ll pick up the flagship for as much as the 4×2 LS-T or mid-spec LS-U after on-road costs.
For comparison’s sake, the top-spec Ford Everest Titanium costs $73,190 plus on-roads. It’s obvious that Isuzu wants a little more of the cream in what is a relatively popular segment, and the best place to get it is at the top end where prices begin to soar.
Justifying this price hike from Isuzu is what the Japanese maker calls a move upmarket. It was first seen with the D-Max and most of that comes from new safety technology and equipment. With MU-X based on D-Max it has the same drivetrain options, the same standard rear mechanical differential for 4×4 models, and a full suite of modern safety gear that scores a five-star ANCAP rating.
The 3.0-litre turbo diesel continues with 140kW and 450Nm through a six-speed torque converter automatic transmission. Those are not stellar figures in comparison to a rival like the Everest with 157kW and 500Nm coming from its 2.0L turbo diesel four-pot. But with Everest weighing 2477kg and the MU-X LS-T just 2175kg in comparison the performance deficient isn’t what you think it is. In the real world, the MU-X shifts off the line in a timely manner and climbs through its six gears at a steady rate. Fuel consumption is a claimed 8.3L/100km on the government combined cycle but we didn’t dip below 10L in our low-kay test vehicle, we’d expect a run-in model to do better.
Steering is lightweight which is good for low speed moving in the city but it lacks the precision of a monocoque SUV, a symptom of both the sturdy ladder-frame chassis and electrically-assisted rack for the automated steering assist (the car turns back into its lane without steering input if you get too close to marked lines). These ute-based four-wheel-drive wagons are not intended as nimble town cars though – even if they pretend to be with this upmarket push – so it is in the bush or touring along Australian roads where they need to cut the mustard.
Isuzu’s D-Max ute uses a three or five-leaf rear suspension arrangement in its line-up while the MU-X has a five-link coil suspension setup that’s even softer. It goes for compliance where the ute preferences payload, and is noticeably better on poor town roads and without as much fuss over bumps though a touch noisey on coarse chip surfaces.
Articulation is somewhat limited but the MU-X’s 235mm ground clearance is useable on most intermediate four-wheel drive tracks for a wagon. The 29.2-degree approach angle, 32.1 breakover and 26.4-degree departure angles are improvements, too, though it is the standard rear differential that helps most for traction.
Isuzu’s four-wheel-drive system offers only part-time four-high, so you must drive in two-wheel drive on high traction surfaces, though four-high can be shifted into on the fly and at speeds up to 100kph. It works well on gravel and helps bring front-end grip when the surface is loose. Shifting into four-low requires being stationary and operates only at a crawl. Like in the ute, off-road traction control has been improved and so it is better at getting torque quickly to wheels with useable grip and leads to less time bogging down in the mud or in deep ruts and corrugations. Wading depth is 800mm, and there are a variety of accessories available including snorkels and front bars to help protect the engine on deep crossings.
We did not tow but the braked towing capacity has been increased to 3500kg with 350kg tow ball mass across the board on all MU-X models. The limiting factor is that a gross combination mass (GCM) of 5900kg means that the 2175kg flagship LS-T when towing 3500kg is left with a 225kg payload for people and equipment, including any fluids or accessories such as a bulbar. A fairly unworkable scenario, a 2500-3000kg towing load brings a safer 375-325kg payload thanks to a boost in GVM.
As a seven-seater, such scenarios may need some proper thinking, but the news inside is good for occupants as the third-row seating has a longer footwell space than before and slightly easier ingress, although it’s still compact back there. The second row is better and a rear-facing baby capsule fits in with just enough space for the front seats to be slid back to a position that’s comfortable for a six-foot-tall person. Air ventilation in the rear two rows is through the roof which works quite well and temperature can be controlled both upfront and from the second row.
Other equipment inside includes a 9.0-inch touchscreen that’s a drastic improvement on the old MU-X. It has wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto connectivity which you would want to use as the stock system isn’t pretty. There is a depth of configurations and plenty of settings though, and it has a sat-nav built in. The driver also gets a 7.0-inch digital screen for showing things like the digital speedo and active safety systems. For some reason every time we test an Isuzu the remaining driving range isn’t visible anywhere, but this is something that can be shown permanently by putting the vehicle in park and accessing the settings screen to customize up to three set information displays across the top.
The leather upholstery trim is as nice as you’d find in this segment and the bolstering on seats is good; if you’re familiar with the D-Max the cabin layout is mostly the same.
For those pottering about the city exclusively one wonders why any ute-based wagon would be picked over something like a large SUV (Toyota Kluger, Mazda CX-9, Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe, etc), but for towing, touring, off-roading and getting out and about the new Isuzu MU-X is more comfortable than before, comprehensively safer, and also fit for purpose.
Its 2021 and climate change is ‘code red’ according to the latest IPCC report, so all car reviewers should really mention pollution levels, especially for diesel cars/trucks like this. Europe haven’t allowed any cars to be sold since Sept 2015, yes 6 years ago, that are not Euro6 compliant. The Euro 6 standard imposes a further, significant reduction in NOx emissions from Euro 5 diesels – 67% reduction. These Isuzu engines are Euro 5 – so they are ‘dirty’ diesels. Ssangyong Rexton/Mussos are Euro 6 – so they are at least 67% cleaner than Isuzu engines. Its a disgrace that Australia don’t align with European standards and we continue to allow dirty diesels to be sold. And shame on Isuzu for not working hard enough on this engine and the DPF to bring it up to Euro6 standards. Support more environmentally aware and caring car companies and only by Euro6.
Its 2021 and climate change is ‘code red’ according to the latest IPCC report, so all car reviewers I think have a moral responsibility to highlight pollution levels for every car that they review. Especially for DIESEL cars/trucks like this. Europe haven’t allowed any cars to be sold since Sept 2015 that are not Euro6 compliant. The Euro 6 standard imposes a further 67% reduction in NOx emissions from Euro 5 – not insignificant. These 2021 Isuzu engines are Euro 5 – so they are ‘dirty’ diesels. Same goes for Paj Sport and 3.2 Ford Ranger/Everest. Ssangyong Rexton/Mussos are Euro 6. Not only is it a disgrace that Australia refuses to align with European standards, but we continue to allow dirty diesels to be sold, we are a dumping ground for out-of-date dirty cars. Car reviewers have a huge influence on people’s buying decisions and so you carry a huge responsibility and I think in this age you should put a spotlight on environmentally underperforming cars/trucks. Isuzu has had since Sept 2015 to bring their diesel engines up to Euro6 standards and shame on them for not doing so.