Isuzu adds luxury and refinement to its SUV wagon

The Isuzu MU-X may well be the most-often upgraded model of 2017, with the large SUV scoring its second update in just three months with the launch this week of the 2017 model.

Underlining Australia’s importance as Isuzu’s biggest export market, Isuzu Ute Australia has introduced the MY17 MU-X with upgrades unique to our market.

The MY17’s improved sound deadening (netting a claimed 3dB interior noise reduction) and upgraded cabin materials are a direct result of lower satisfaction survey scores given for noise and interior design by existing local customers, and are not offered to other export markets.

Other improvements for MY17 include Bi-LED headlights, which Isuzu claims issue a whiter beam and one that projects 50m further down the road than the outgoing halogen bulb projector lights. The new lights also get a self-levelling feature and incorporate LED daytime running lights.

Front fog lights for LS-U and LS-T grades are new (although they remain halogens) and the grille has been slightly tweaked.

The tail has also come in for subtle changes; a new tail-light design incorporates LED parking lights (although curiously the indicator/brake lights continue with incandescent bulbs) and the LS-T gets a fresh tailgate spoiler.

New alloy wheel designs feature across the range, with the LS-M continuing with 16-inch wheels and LS-U and LS-T now getting 18-inch wheels (in place of the previous 17-inch wheels).

The MY17 cabin refresh centres on soft-touch finishes on a now two-tone dash, new chrome or piano-black trim and new soft-touch armrests and console. The LS-T now has a quilted leather seat trim.

NVH levels have been paired back due to new sound and vibration insulation. Two more layers of insulation have been added to the firewall (now seven layers), while the windscreen base, floor and vent surrounds have been fortified with more insulation too.

LS-U and LS-T models now receive an 8.0-inch touch-screen display audio system (in place of the previous 7.0-inch screen) with sat-nav and reversing camera, while the entry-level LS-M comes with a 7.0-inch touch-screen display audio system with reversing camera but no sat-nav.

The MY16.5 MU-X that rolled out in February with a new Euro 5 emissions-compliant engine was in effect a stop-gap measure as IUA had run low of Euro 4 stock early in the year and any new stock rolling in had to meet Euro 5 legislation.

“December [2016] was a great month for us, but that hurt us with not much stock going into 2017,” explained Ben Jaeger, deputy general manager of sales.

The EU5-compliant, 130kW/430Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine introduced in the MY16.5 MU-X (and MY17 D-MAX) in February (and again only offered in Australia in this specification) continues on with the option of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions.

The lowest combined fuel consumption for the range is 7.9L/100km for LS-U and LS-T 4x4 autos (209 CO2 emissions), and peaks at 8.1L/100km (for all LS-T and LS-U 4x2 and LS-M 4x4). CO2 output for the latter models has been measured at 214g/km for auto versions (except 212g/km for LS-M 4x4 manual).

The MU-X is offered with IUA’s 'Service Plus 555' five-year/130,000km warranty, which incorporates roadside assistance and capped-price servicing for the warranty period.

Prices are up $1000 for LS-M grades, while LS-U and LS-T grades have increased by $1300.

Havana Brown joins the exterior colour options for MY17, which also includes Obsidan Grey, Silky White, Titanium Silver, Splash White and Cosmic Black.

2017 Isuzu MU-X pricing (plus ORCs):
Isuzu MU-X LS-M (2WD) — $42,800
Isuzu MU-X LS-U (2WD) — $45,100
Isuzu MU-X LS-T (2WD) — $48,800
Isuzu MU-X LS-M (4WD) — $48,000
Isuzu MU-X LS-U (4WD) — $52,400
Isuzu MU-X LS-T (4WD) — $56,100