Isuzu mu-X may not be a top of mind. It should be
As far as bargain family SUVs go, the Isuzu mu-X packs it pretty well all in to deliver a pretty decent bargain. If you’re shopping in that neck of the woods, this car really should be on your radar.
Based on the latest D-Max bakkie, we enjoy its large, solid Japanese feel. Easy on the eye, a China doll grille yields to strong character lined flanks punctuated by smart 20-inch alloys. That front end yields to strong character lined flanks punctuated by smart 18-inch alloys shod with 265/60 R18 rubber.
The doors click open, thud firmly closed. Ambient lit, the dual zone climate controlled cabin sports comfy seats, and a pleasant, spacious driving environment. They further conspire to deliver a good all-round package.
Easy to use infotainment in a huge cabin
Built from the ground up as a seven seater, and like most of them, mu-X has a third row in case you need to carry small people, or big people for short distances. The rearmost pews also stow into the floor to make a mammoth boot accessed by a height adjustable tailgate.
The multifunction steering wheel and touch controlled 9-inch infotainment has CarPlay, Auto, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and eight-speaker audio. There’s an off-centre low resolution rear-view camera too. It also works off conventional buttons, so you just reach out and touch the expected.
So not too much reason to fool around on the touchscreen and into the depts of window sets here, but you can if you want to, too. It may be a bit plasticky inside and fit and finish is shoddy in places, so build quality could be better.
Mu-X Packs Isuzu’s 3 litre turbodiesel
Moving under the bonnet, this creamy 140 kW 450 Nm 3 litre incarnation of Isuzu’s eternal and pioneering four-pot turbodiesel Quiet, smooth, and effortless, mu-X is easy to drive. A great engine, some may call it a tad agricultural. And a little thirsty in this modern downsized realm.
It’s mated to the best Isuzu 6 speed auto gearbox we’ve yet driven .It pulls strong from low down the rev range with no undue gear shifting. The transmission tends toward its higher cogs as it should.
Shift paddles allow you to override the auto patterns if you so desire, even if the fuzzy logic auto box soon learns how you prefer to drive.
locally honed mu-X front and rear suspension
Coupled to a handy six-speed automatic, it shifts when it should. Mu-X also rides on a locally honed front and rear suspension design. New springs and roll bars reduce body roll and road holding is good for a vehicle this size both on and off the road.
Steering is responsive and Mu-X also matches its best rivals’ 3.5-ton braked trailer capacity. We took mu-X to the top of the local mountain communications hub, a trip many consider to be extreme.
Mu-X’s fine chassis tuning, great suspension articulation and travel took it all in its stride. Never even bothered looking doe the diff lock, never mind the 4×4. We needed far more than just Matoppie to test this one.
Looking for a family SUV? Don’t ignore mu-X
Add sharp brakes, traction control, and a 5-star ANCAP safety rating including a world first centre airbag between the driver and the front passenger. The mu-X also has top backup throughout South Africa.
Never mind, it’s priced cheaper than the compatible Fortuner and and even more off Ford’s rival Everest. So we’d also highly recommend that you do not ignore this high value, highly all-round capable mu-X, if you’re shopping for a Fortuner, Everest, or similar family SUV. – Michele Lupini
Images & testing: Giordano Lupini
ROAD TESTED: Isuzu mu-X 3.0TD LS 4x4
Engine: 140 kW 450 Nm 3-litre turbodiesel H4
Drive: 6-speed automatic 4x4
Max Braked Trailer 3,500 kg
TESTED:
0-60 km/h: 3.96 sec
0-100 km/h: 9.69 sec
0-120 km/h: 14.83 sec
0-160 km/h: 27.59 sec
400m: 16.7 sec @ 134 km/h
80-120 km/h: 9.61 sec
120-160 km/h: 14.02 sec
CLAIMED:
VMax: 190 km/h
Fuel: 7.6 l/100 km
CO2: 200 g/km
Range: 1050 km
Warranty/Service: 5y 120K/5y 90K km
LIST PRICE: R931K
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