Owner Review: The overshadowed SUV ! My 2016 Isuzu MU-X

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THE STORY OF MY ISUZU MUX

It was 2016 and my career changed. I had to commute daily from Rawang to Sepang, which is approximately 190 kilometers on the road. As such I needed a reliable, easy to maintain, powerful and most importantly a reputable distributor who manages the marque well when it comes to parts and servicing. Prior to this I was driving a Volvo S 40 (2010) and this new vehicle had to complement my Swedish brick.

I had a budget of RM 200,000 and my options were either an Isuzu MUX, Toyota Fortuner, Hyundai Santa Fe or Land Rover Defender. I was solely looking at Diesel run vehicles.

After much thought, test drives, talking to various auto dealers, cajoling from friends, reading opinions from bloggers etc., I opted for the Isuzu MUX as:

1. The local distributor gave me a rather exciting offer of RM 169,800 for the 4x4;
2. The 4x4 came with 5 years unlimited mileage warranty;
3. It shares the same engine with the Isuzu D Max (only the mechanical components).

I have done 190,000 kilometers over the last 6 years and this 4x4 gives me approximately 9 liter’s/100 km for its daily beatings on the highway. I only use Diesel Euro 5 (B7) and this fuel is currently priced at RM 2.35 a liter. At 2135 kilograms and powered by a 2.5 turbo power plant which presses out 136 Bhp and 320 Nm of torque, the MUX is not the mightiest of a beast, but it has taken me from point A to B effortlessly all these years.

It is a basic vehicle and to call it luxurious is an understatement as it is not in any way! The interior is affixed in plain dull plastic from the front right up to the rear. 4 power windows, 2 airbags and a Blaupunkt infotainment is at its best. ABS, EBD, TCS is standard. Any other top-notch sensory systems that we see in a new generation 4x4 is unavailable in the MUX.

When I took possession of this 4x4 in 2016, the tires and rims were just an absolute eyesore (255/65R/17). It looked like an ostrich! Hence bigger wheels came in and that made some pleasant aesthetic changes to the vehicle. The Blaupunkt infotainment system was mediocre and the speakers were dull. As I was spending long hours in the MUX, an upgrade was necessary. While maintaining the main din, I upgraded the speakers, added in a pair of tweeters and plugged in a DSP together with a sub-woofer from Mohawk. This made the entire sound system palatable especially for my long trips down the road.

In my travels abroad, I noticed that the front bumper of the MUX was often changed to black steel bumpers and this made the vehicle more outstanding. Based on this observation, I started scouting around and after a long tedious search I managed to find an installer who had to right bumper for my MUX. RM 4500 poorer and 10 hours later, the bumper fitted in well and the vehicle look rather distinguished compared to it compatriots out there.

While the installer was fitting my bumper, it was then I realized that the intake pipe for the air filter was ridiculously low for a 4x4, and a snorkel was fitted in.

By then this 4x4 was in its 4th year and a new set of absorbers were due. All 4 coil springs were changed, and new absorbers were fitted in. 2.5 inches higher and the MUX looked spartan for its age.

By its 5th year, all relevant hoses were replaced to prevent any unwanted mishaps on the road. I noticed that Samco was a preferred brand for 4x4 enthusiasts and hence the blue pipes came in together with the stainless-steel intake pipes.

Overall, I have not had any nibbling issues with this 4x4, and I have been to places unimaginable in the last 6 years in this vehicle, safe and sound. Last December when Klang Valley was inundated with floods, I had to drive to Klang to aid my colleague who desperately needed medical supplies. Wading through flood waters was relatively easy and this 4x4 could wade up to 800 mm of water, effortlessly. This journey from Rawang to Klang literally saved that man’s life even though it took me 5 hours to reach him!

As age is catching up, wear and tear parts are beginning to retire. I just replaced the stabilizer rods and it cost me RM 610.00 a pair inclusive of labor. The “leather” seats are beginning to crack after 6 years despite all the spas, leather treatments and detailing put in by the auto detailers. Perhaps a set of Recaro will be a good choice when the time comes.

If I have a complaint, it will be on the mind set people have on Isuzu as a marque.

I have attended official meetings and I get cynical comments from Security Officers manning the parking area who will usually tell me, “vendor/ contractor park belakang yea, tak boleh park kat sini!”

Perhaps Isuzu Malaysia needs to work on this repute, introduce new strategies and models that will not only entice contractors but professionals as well to favor their brand.

Will I sell my MUX in the near future? I doubt so.

This 4x4 has served me well and it has clocked 190,000 kilometers without a single mishap. Not a single leak and not an ounce of engine oil less from the dip stick. However periodic maintenance is crucial, and only an authorized service center renders maintenance to my MUX every 10,000 kilometers. Parts are easily available and relatively cheaper compared to other makes from what I read.

In parting, luxurious it might not be, but it is not a Volvo XC 90 either!

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