Isuzu MU-X

Isuzu MU-X Design

According to Isuzu, the vehicle styling concept is inspired by the American bald eagle, exemplified by the aggressively styled front fascia. The revised look features sharper eye-like LED headlamps design with integrated daytime running light. The massive chromed front grille is borderline ostentatious, and the front bumper has also been redesigned with revised fog lamp housing, again with more chrome bits.

The raised ride height is exaggerated by the massive wheel well spaces within the bulging wheel arches despite the larger 18-inch alloy wheels and the massive 255/60 rubbers. The available underbody protection guards the body panels against rough terrain while exterior utility features such as roof rack and side steps are fitted as standard.

The design of the roof mounted spoiler is more prominent here and the only way to tell the two variants apart are the difference in antenna design- shark-fin type for the 4×4 and bee-sting type for the 4×2. The rear taillight clusters retain the same shape as the predecessor, but now featuring new graphics and LED signatures within, matching the sharper headlamps design up front. Door handles, side mirrors and the tail gate trim are finished in chrome for that added premium touch.

Isuzu MU-X Dimension

Despite sharing the same platform, the Isuzu MU-X is significantly smaller in size compared to the double-cab Isuzu D-MAX pickup truck. The 7-seater SUV is as wide as the pickup equivalent but is a whopping 470 mm shorter in overall length. Wheelbase is shorter too by 250 mm. However, it is marginally larger in dimension compared to the Toyota Fortuner.

Isuzu MU-X Interior

Inside, the cabin is upgraded to provide a plusher feel than before, now featuring soft touch surfaces with wood pattern panel at the door trim and front dashboard. Black quilt-pattern leather upholstered seats replace the previously beige colour ones while lower dashboard and door panels continue to be featured in beige colour.

The electroluminescent (e-LUMAX) instrument cluster with multi-info display provide a clearer and more comprehensive information for the driver. Range topping 4×4 variant features a larger 8-inch touchscreen display while the 4×2 makes do with a double-DIN 7-inch head unit. Buttons and controls on the centre console are logically laid out on a circular panel, highlighted by silver-coloured accents and gloss-black inlays around the transmission panel.

The car’s elevated ride height offers commanding driving position with great forward visibility. Second row seats are 60:40 split and 50:50 for the third row. They fold virtually flat, allowing further extension to the 253-litre boot space. Access to the rear seats can be achieved by manually folding the middle row seat forward.

Isuzu MU-X Features

The Isuzu MU-X is equipped with Bi-LED projector headlights in blue light spectrum with integrated LED daytime running light. Blue light spectrum improves driver vision when driving at night while the auto-leveling feature keeps the light projection in the optimum level as the vehicle weight, and in-turn the height, changes. New rear fog lamp is also incorporated to this vehicle.

On the inside, the infotainment system is upgraded to an 8 speakers audio system. The 4×4 variant comes with a larger 8-inch DVD touchscreen and a roof-mounted monitor for back row occupants. The 4×2 version makes do with a smaller 7” DVD unit, with AUX, USB, iPod and Bluetooth input available as standard.

Other standard features include the e-LUMAX multi-info display, automatic climate control with second and third row vents, and keyless entry with push to start. On the safety front, the Isuzu MU-X comes with 6 SRS airbags as standard, along with Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Traction Control System (TCS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Hill Start Assist (HSA) among others.

Isuzu MU-X Driving Performance

Engine

Under the hood is Isuzu’s 4JK1-TCX 2.5 litre 4-cylinder VGS turbodiesel engine with intercooler technology. The workhorse of an engine delivers a respectable 136 PS at 3,400 RPM and 320 Nm of torque from 1,800 RPM. The 4×4 variant gets Isuzu’s Terrain Command 4WD System. 

Isuzu’s robust and conservatively tuned engine has always been known to deliver superior fuel efficiency that showed great reliability and durability. That confidence also enables Isuzu to offer a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty.

Transmission

Power is sent to all four wheels (4×4) or the rear (4×2) via a 5-speed conventional automatic transmission by Aisin. Unlike some of its competition in the segment, the 4WD system on the Isuzu MU-X is basic and does not offer a rear differential lock. On sealed surfaces it operates as a two-wheel drive car sending torque only to the rear wheels.

Flicking the dial to 4H mode activates the four-wheel drive system, which sends torque to all four wheels. The lack of centre or rear differential lock means that it is unable to vary torque distribution amongst the four wheels. 4L mode is essentially same as 4H but only uses a low range set of gears

Isuzu MU-X Ride Comfort

The Isuzu MU-X is constructed based on a body-on-frame chassis that is predominantly used in heavy trucks, pickups and large SUVs including the likes of Toyota Fortuner and the Haval H9. Unlike a unibody contractions that is featured in most road cars today, the body-on-frame set up are often heavy and has a high centre of gravity which in turns compromises the driving dynamics.

While the double-wishbone front suspension and the multi-link suspension at the rear copes reasonably well with everyday driving, the tall ride height sees the Isuzu MU-X leaning and getting out of shape in the corners. It offers a smooth and comfortable ride on the highway, but the 7-seater people mover feels more at home on rugged terrain doing some off roading. 

Isuzu MU-X Conclusion

The Isuzu MU-X offers a no frill SUV ownership experience, offering just the right amount of features and functionality without being overly complicated with unnecessary electronic gubbins. It combines the durability of the Isuzu D-MAX pickup truck with the added advantage of a 7-seater people carrier practicality.