- Off-road capability
- Lower output engine tune should bode well for durability
- Comfortable interior
- Impressive 3000 kg towing capacity
- Suspension lacks compliance
- Diesel engine noise
- Cheap interior plastics
- Poor handling relative to monocoque designs
Review: Isuzu MU-X (2013-17)
Overview
Released in November 2013, the Isuzu MU-X was a seven seat SUV. Manufactured in Thailand, the Isuzu MU-X was powered by a 3.0-litre turbo diesel engine and available in rear-and four-wheel drive models. Furthermore, the Isuzu MU-X range consisted of LS-M, LS-U and LS-T variants (see table below).
4JJ1-TC diesel engine
The 3.0-litre 4JJ1-TC Hi-Power diesel engine had a cast iron and alloy engine block, an alloy cylinder head, an intercooled variable geometry turbocharger, common-rail fuel injection, double overhead camshafts (chain-driven), four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 17.3:1. The engine was mated to either a five-speed Isuzu manual transmission or a five-speed Aisin AW TB50-LS automatic transmission.
The Isuzu MU-X had a maximum braked towing capacity of 3000 kg for both rear- and four-wheel drive models.
| Engine | Drive | Variant | Years | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0-litre turbo-diesel I4 | RWD | LS-M, LS-U |
2013-17 | 5sp auto | 130 kW at 3600 rpm | 380 Nm at 1800-2800 rpm |
| LS-T | 2015-17 | |||||
| 4WD | LS-M, LS-U |
2013-17 | 5sp man., 5sp auto |
130 kW at 3600 rpm | 380 Nm at 1800-2800 rpm | |
| LS-T | 2013-17 | 5sp auto |
Dimensions and suspension
The Isuzu MU-X was 4825 mm long, 1825 mm tall (1830 mm for LS-U and 1860 mm for LS-T variants), 1860 mm wide and had a 2845 mm long wheelbase.
The Isuzu MU-X had a ladder frame chassis with double wishbone front suspension and independent, multi-link rear suspension (both with coil springs, gas shock absorbers and stabiliser bars).
4WD system
The four-wheel drive system for the Isuzu MU-X included a ‘Terrain Command’ dial which enabled the driver to ‘shift on the fly’ from the following drive modes:
- 2-high: rear-wheel drive with high range gearing;
- 4-high: four-wheel drive with high gearing; and,
- 4-low: four-wheel drive with low range gearing (a 2.482:1 reduction ratio).
Four-wheel drive models were also fitted with steel plate guards for the sump and transfer case, while models with automatic transmissions also featured hill-ascent and descent control functions.
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the Isuzu MU-X included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with dual pre-tensioners and load limiters.
Brakes
The Isuzu MU-X had 300 mm by 27 mm ventilated front brake discs with twin piston calipers and 318 mm by 18 mm solid rear discs.
ANCAP crash testing
Since ANCAP was provided with evidence from Isuzu that the MU-X would perform similarly in crash tests to the D-Max Crew Cab utility, the utility’s crash test results were also applied to the MU-X. As such, four-wheel drive MU-X vehicles were awarded a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 33.58 out of 37. In the front offset crash test, protection of the front occupants’ heads and upper legs was rated as good, though chest and lower leg protection was rated as adequate. In the side impact and pole tests, maximum points were awarded.
Features: Isuzu MU-X
Standard features for the Isuzu MU-X LS-M included 16-inch alloy wheels with 245/70 R16 AT tyres, a six speaker sound system with CD player, MP3-compatibility, auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB/iPod), air conditioning, cruise control, rear parking sensors, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, 60:40 split and folding second row seats, 50:50 split and folding third row seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a tilt adjustable steering wheel, two 12 volt power outlets, a trip computer and an immobiliser.
The Isuzu MU-X LS-U was further equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels with 255/65 R17 HT tyres (with a full-size spare alloy wheel), climate control air conditioning, front fog lights, power retracting door mirrors and an alarm. Visually, the LS-U and LS-T variants could be identified by their aluminium side steps and chrome grilles, door handles and door mirrors.
Beyond this, the Isuzu MU-X LS-T added an eight speaker ‘Sky Sound’ roof-mounted sound system with Bluetooth audio streaming, satellite navigation with touch-screen and live traffic updates, leather seats, a six-way power adjustable driver’s seat, reversing camera, roof-mounted 10-inch DVD monitor for rear seat passengers, roof rails and tailgate spoiler.
Brochure and specifications
Review: Isuzu MU-X (2017-21)
Overview
Officially released in Australia in February 2017, the Isuzu Series II MU-X was powered by a new 3.0-litre 4JJ1-TC turbo diesel engine which had a variable geometry turbocharger, larger exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler and complied with Euro 5 emissions standards.
The 4JJ1-TC engine was available with either:
- A new six-speed Aisin AWR6B45 automatic transmission with lock-up torque converter for the second through sixth forward gears. The transmission had an ‘adaptive learning’ function which adjusted to the driver’s style and circumstances; a sequential shift mode also provided on-demand shifting; or,
- A new six-speed Isuzu MVL-6N manual transmission with close ratios, triple cone synchronisers and a 275 mm diameter clutch plate.
According to Isuzu, the Series II MU-X also had reduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) due to new sound and vibration insulation.
| Engine | Drive | Variant | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0-litre turbo-diesel I4 | RWD | LS-M, LS-U, LS-T |
6sp auto | 130 kW at 3600 rpm | 430 Nm at 2000-2200 rpm |
| 4WD | LS-M, LS-U |
6sp man., 6sp auto |
130 kW at 3600 rpm | 430 Nm at 2000-2200 rpm | |
| LS-T | 6sp auto |
Safety equipment
For the Isuzu Series II MU-X, standard safety equipment was unchanged.
From April 2018, however, the Isuzu MU-X was equipped with Trailer Sway Control as standard.
Features: Isuzu MU-X LS-M
Standard features for the Isuzu Series II MU-X LS-M were extended to include an eight speaker sound system with CD/DVD player, MP3 compatibility, auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB/iPod), Bluetooth phone connectivity and audio streaming, touchscreen and a reverse camera. Furthermore, carry-over features included 16.0 x 7.0J alloy wheels with 245/70 R16 All Terrain tyres, air conditioning, cruise control, 60:40 split and folding second row seats, 50:50 split and folding third row seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a tilt adjustable steering wheel, two 12 volt power outlets, a trip computer and an immobiliser.
Four-wheel drive models were also fitted with steel plate guards for the sump and transfer case.
Features: Isuzu MU-X LS-U
Compared to the MU-X LS-M, the Isuzu MU-X LS-U was further equipped with 17 x 7.0J alloy wheels with 255/65 R17 Highway Terrain tyres, satellite navigation system, climate control air conditioning, front fog lights, proximity key, push-button start, rear privacy glass and an alarm system. Visual cues for the MU-X LS-M and LS-T included a chrome radiator grille and aluminium side steps; the LS-M also had chrome door handles.
Features: Isuzu MU-X LS-T
The range-topping Isuzu MU-X LS-T was distinguished by its leather seat upholstery, a six-way power adjustable driver’s seat, a roof-mounted ten-inch DVD entertainment monitor and roof rails. The MU-X LS-T could be identified by its body-coloured door handles.
May 2017 update (17MY)
In May 2017, the Isuzu MU-X was updated; Isuzu referred to this as this 17MY update. Visually, the post-May 2017 Isuzu MU-X could be identified by its new grille, Bi-LED projector headlights and, for the LS-U and LS-T variants, new front fog light designs. The Bi-LED projector headlights provided greater visibility at night and had an auto-levelling feature which automatically adjusted the headlight beam to the appropriate angle when the MU-X was loaded. The post-May 2017 Isuzu MU-X also introduced new alloy wheel designs, with the MU-X LS-U and LS-T fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels (previously 17-inch alloys).
Inside, the post-May 2017 Isuzu MU-X featured a dual-tone dashboard with soft touch finishes, new chrome and piano black trim, new soft touch armrests and console coverings; for the LS-T, the leather-accented seats had a new quilted design. Isuzu also claimed that the post-May 2017 Isuzu MU-X introduced new sound and vibration insulation, including the dashboard console, floor transmission tunnel, windscreen seal, firewall and floorpan.
April 2018 update (18MY)
From April 2018, the Isuzu MU-X was fitted – as standard – with two 2.1-amp USB charge points (one in the dashboard and one in the rear console) to charge mobile devices.
May 2019: Isuzu MU-X update
An updated Isuzu MU-X was released in Australia in May 2019. Visually, the updated Isuzu MU-X could be identified by its:
- More aggressive front grille (finished in grey and black on the MU-X LS-M and chrome and gloss black for the LS-U and LS-T); and,
- For the MU-X LS-U and LS-T, 18-inch machined-face alloy wheels with a gloss black finish that were fitted with 255/60 R18 Bridgestone Dueler Highway Terrain tyres;
Inside, piano black trim was introduced for the doors and the MU-X LS-T gained ambient interior lighting. Across the Isuzu MU-X range, the hydraulic steering rack was recalibrated for ‘a smoother and lighter experience’ such that less effort was required at low speeds.
As optional accessories, post-2017 model year Isuzu MU-X models could be fitted with:
- Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) for $955; and,
- Front parking sensors (Isuzu’s ‘Front Park Assist’) for $545.
