Isuzu MU-X

Off-road specialist Isuzu has added a new engine to its seven-seat SUV range, but is it up to the task?

Is the entry-level Isuzu MU-X LS-M all the off-road family 4x4 you need? Peter Anderson finds out.

Refreshed range-topping Isuzu MU-X brings even more kit to the large SUV battle but at an even sharper price.

It might be overshadowed in some respects by a new Blue Oval model, but there is still a lot to like in Isuzu's rough-and-ready 4x4 wagon.

The fault could cause the engine to stall whilst driving, according to the recall notice.

Following the recent launch of the Business Drive TV series come the ultimate business companions - an all-new online Work Cars guide and print lift-out ahead of the End of Financial Year.

The Isuzu MU-X has followed its D-Max ute sibling with a new look, updated interior – including a volume dial – and improved safety features.

The Isuzu MU-X will soon follow its D-Max ute sibling with a facelift. It could arrive in Australia early next year.

I went off-roading in the Flinders Rangers and found out the ultimate not-so-secret 4WD accessories.

Need a bit more space on a budget? Here are the most affordable seven-seaters in Australia.

Long before the Isuzu MU-X made a name for itself, the Japanese brand used wizardry and mystery when naming its off-roaders.

We run through the safest and most efficient way to launch your boat at a boat ramp this summer.

Buying the isuzu mux has been the best decision ever. We upgraded from a 2007 honda crv. Being a diesel mechanic and previously was working for isuzu ute dealership in a coastal town I always wanted to buy one. The main reason with buying the isuzu mux was the known reliability of the 3.0 litre TD the vehicle is practical from front to back. Isuzu in my eyes have always been behind the times regarding technology but I reckon that's a good thing because really how long will all the jammed pack technology that other vehicles have last for and how much money it will cost when it's out of warranty. We have owned the isuzu mux for 12 months now and racked up 27,000km the fuel economy is fantastic with 2 children and the boot fully loaded the mux comfortable sits on 110kmph and only reving at 1,600rpm on the highway it achieves 7.4 litres per hundred 850kms traveled still with a range of 150km to go. I really want to make it to 1000km on one tank but ill try it when the wife and kids aren't in the car it will save a massive headache if I run it out of fuel. We have had no issues at all I am a very fussy diesel mechanic our mux has always been serviced every 5,000km you cannot over service a vehicle my aim is to rack up 500,000kms on her. Apart from regular servicing the only mods are a straight through exhaust ( no muffler) as it's a DPD model I have maximum exhaust flow with no noise! I have put a provent oil catch can and a EGR delete cable on. The only dislike is the DPD because it does its burnoff sometimes when you're almost home and you've gotta keep driving until its finished not really efficient in that way but I think it's just bad timing. Saying that isuzu does have the best location of the DPD sitting right behind the turbo the hottest part in the exhaust and thats a good thing. Another big bonus my wife loves the car and so does her parents so much they bought one too. We just purchased a caravan the isuzu mux pulls it with ease always looking in mirrors make sure it's still there lol. Value for money reliable and practical looks fantastic can't beat it I'll buy another one any day.

We could not be more happy with our MUX. it replaced a 2015 Rav4 2.5 litre petrol 4wd but we needed a tow motor. The MUX tows effortlessly with good fuel economy under load. Unladen the fuel economy is outstanding. We commonly get up to 1000k from a 65 litre tank & arrive fresh. The drive train is excellent. The tireless diesel & 6 speed auto are a great pairing although active cruise control would be nice. The interior is spot on with plenty of storage, great seats for up to 7, fabulous dual a/c for those hot days & sat nav that works well. General fit & build quality is excellent & this car has everything we need & nothing we don't. What can I say....we love it. After almost 30k nothing has played up, malfunctioned or failed. The service intervals are every 10,000 k with oil changes scheduled for every 20,000 k but I have the engine oil & filter changed every 10,000k for my own peace of mind. I don't think my MUX can be beaten for value for money. I can't comment on off road ability as it's a 4×2 which is all we need for our use but on unmade roads the ride is excellent but on road it soaks up bumps effortlessly whilst maintaining decent handling. All round vision is excellent the reversing camera gives a great view of the tow bar making hitching up a trailer or van a breeze. Today we have driven from Forster to Armidale using little fuel. A handy feature is that on downhill runs softly applying the brake will kick back a gear or two & help keep the speed from building up, a feature I find really handy. The hill hold function is much simpler to use than the Rav. Just apply the brake, apply throttle & away you go. The grandkids love "sitting in the boot" . The third row of seats although seldom used is simple to deploy & roomy for the smaller humans in our life complete with cup holders for that row. The dual a/c spoils us on those hot days bringing down the temp to a comfortable level very quickly. This car is perfect for our needs having all the creature comforts without overdoing anything. I can't reccomend it more highly.

Thought I'd put this review up, as the Mu-X was included in the recent comparison test vs Everest, Fortuner, Paj Sport and Patrol. With a budget of up to $50k, I looked at these (albeit not the Patrol) plus second hand Prado and Pajero. I've had a Pajero for 5 years before this and it's served us well on camping trips and general dirt road touring. We towed our camper to the Cape with it last year and did plenty of the crossings on the OTT. We were looking for a new or near vehicle to replace the Pajero and allow us to continue exploring the outback, plus run the kids and friends around between times. The MU-X had the best rear seats of anything we looked at, especially the 3rd row. The 3rd row also folded flat and either seat could be unbolted completely. (I've built a false floor on one side for a fridge, but retained one of the seats as 6 people is the most we ever need to carry. The Everest rear seat was tiny in comparison and didn't fold down flat. The Fortuner setup is ok and could have worked just as well for us. Once I found out the Paj Sport was only coming out as a 5 seater, it was scratched from the list. Ultimately, it came down to price and I couldn't get my head around the price Toyota wanted for it's base spec with steel wheels and the Everest was even more ridiculous. A quick scan online and it seemed i could get a mid-spec Mu-X for mid-$40's which left plenty of money for bulbar and suspension and a few other mods. I couldn't find a Prado anywhere near my price point that still had any warranty left and there were only a couple of NW Pajero around, with fairly big mileage on them. I came close to buying another Pajero, but in the end the design of the MU-X, sharp pricing, strong reputation and the nicer interior layout won us over. We've only done 13,000km so far, probably 10% of that on dirt. It's like a magic carpet on corrugated dirt. After owning a (monocoque) Pajero which would shake your teeth fillings out, the Mu-X is a revelation. Sure, it won't corner like a car, or a Pajero for that matter, it's quite benign and predictable. It's a similar ride to a Prado, but with a better view over the bonnet. I've upgraded the suspension to heavier duty, but the isolation from small bumps is still excellent. I haven't done a decent trip without the camper in tow, however fuel consumption seems very good. With the camper it's around 12l/100km and with the roof racks loaded up with tent and camping gear, between 10-11l/100km. I've heard of plenty of people getting 8-9l/100km for stock vehicles, but mine's got a lift, bulbar, winch, roofracks, bigger tyres etc, so I'm quite happy with where it's at. The Isuzu engine is a lazy, truck motor. It's not highly strung and sounds a bit rattly at times. I like this. It reminds me that Isuzu knows a thing or two about truck motors and this is not a highly boosted small capacity motor that I'm worried will blow up. It accelerates just fine, keeping up with traffic, and has plenty in reserve to overtake B-doubles on the highway. The cruise control and auto work well and you can manually hold gears if you choose. The seats are comfortable for me at 188cm and also my wife and the visibility is excellent over the bonnet. You sit a little higher in it than my Pajero, but there's still plenty of headroom. The aircon is brilliant. There are roof aircon vents in the second and third rows and it's very effective. Our kids used to complain about the airflow in the back, but not anymore! I've replaced the tiny OEM fuel tank with a 112 litre replacement from ARB. The fuel tank is probably the single biggest flaw with them. Lots of people put a rear bar on and put a second tank where the spare goes, but I don't thnk it's necessary. I'll put a jerry can on the roofrack for when we head to the Simpson this winter, which should give us a good safety margin. The other minor issue is that only the LS-T top spec model comes with a reverse camera. I think they should be standard on vehicles this size, even if it's just a mirror monitor setup. I've put in an aftermarket 8" GPS/DVD/camera setup which works a treat. All in all, I couldn't be happier. I've got an excellent vehicle which I don't exect to give me any trouble for a very long time. I got it for a great price, which allowed me to make a few modificiations to personalise it and set it up for the sort of touring we do.

Very comfortable seating, I love the way the back seats fold down flat . The motor a bit noisy around town but not noticeable on long trips, the ride is quite firm. Handles well, with good pickup and ample power on the open road.Good aircon venting throughout the car. Mechanically very reliable no issues, my mechanic services several MU-X's never had a problem with them. We live in regional WA and are pleased with the fuel economy especially on long trips. A very smart looking vehicle, ours has dark tint on the back windows lighter in the front we find this sufficient to control the glare without the need for after market tint. We looked at most medium size SUV 's, have a 21 foot caravan and were after something which would tow the van comfortably, previously had a Landcruiser but wanted to downsize but still have good towing ability. The MU-X covers all our needs. It has good clearance as we travel in the outback on unsealed roads. I love the navigator and great to have a port for charging for my iPad and iPhone, we often use a car fridge and pleased to have a port in the back section of the car. I love having so many storage compartments. The car have good leg room. Great reversing camera. We also have a border collie who travels with us, plenty of room for her in the back section with the rear seats folded down. We haven't had the car very long but understand servicing is very reasonable and love having such a great warranty. In conclusion I would recommend this vehicle to anyone looking for a medium size 4WD.very happy customers.