Isuzu D-MAX and MU-X 2017 Review

The Highlights
Isuzu UTE has steadily chipped away with its D-MAX ute and MU-X seven-seat SUV to lay claim to some impressive sales figures. The brand sold 23,377 vehicles in 2016 to achieve 11 per cent growth – the latter the "worst figure" in the company's history, says Isuzu UTE Australia Managing Director and CEO, Yasuhiro 'Yasu' Takeuchi.

Meanwhile the popularity of utes here is beyond dispute, with knockabout work steeds now standing alongside hordes of 'lifestyle'-oriented pickups.

Isuzu UTE has honed in on that lifestyle angle with its D-MAX and MU-X. They largely share the same platform but play in different market segments, and now they've been updated to keep pace with some very hostile competition.

And a hefty update it is. For a start, the 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel has been reworked and produced exclusively for the Australian market; it now meets Euro5 emissions compliance and produces 130kW/430Nm – that's 50Nm more peak torque.

A new Aisin six-speed automatic transmission or Isuzu's own six-speed manual replace the old five-speeders, while more tech has trickled down through the range.

Finally, the front-end has been restyled, with a new grille and bonnet complemented by new headlights (all models) and daytime running lights (all LS models).

The Range
The D-MAX range spans single-cabs, space-cabs and crew-cabs and 4x2 or 4x4 drivelines, in cab-chassis and pickup formats. Some 23 variants are on offer.

The MU-X is available in the one seven-seat SUV format, in auto or manual and 4x2 or 4x4. Eight variants are available.

Trim grades span SX, EX, LS-M, LS-U and LS-T (LS-Terrain) for the D-MAX and LS-M, LS-U and LS-T for the MU-X.

The national press launch, held over a route from Surfers Paradise (Qld) to Evans Head (NSW), served up a great cross-section of driving. And while the day didn't involve any loads or towing, it provided a good snapshot of the uprated engine and driveline. Besides, based on past ute reviews and their ample payload/towing limits, we know these two have plenty of heart.

Isuzu's 3.0-litre turbo-diesel can also be found in its current N-Series truck range, but now – after two years and significant investment – the new Euro 5 emissions-compliant 4JJ1 engine runs cleaner and packs even more grunt.

The new engine produces 130kW at 3600rpm – no change from its predecessor but with a different delivery, says Isuzu UTE – plus 430Nm from 2000-2200rpm. While the 50Nm boost is appreciable, perhaps more telling is the fact the old peak torque (380Nm) is now delivered through an even wider rev range.

The Results
What was always an under-stressed and lazy powerplant is now even lazier. Only rarely did steep climbs through the hills provoke a downshift from the D-MAX's six-speed auto, which was generally happy to lope along at 2000rpm in third through the undulating terrain.

A fat band of torque sits throughout much of the rev range; redline is indicated at 4400rpm but there's rarely any need to go there. A later run in a manual D-MAX saw the engine ticking over at 1600rpm while holding 100km/h in sixth, yet impressively there was still plenty of oomph on tap for overtaking.

Among other new components the engine now sports a diesel particular diffuser (DPD) to help it achieve Euro5 compliance, which burns off trapped particulate matter automatically every 500 or so kilometres.

The engine's prowess was highlighted during a stint of beach driving at Evans Head, where the soft, powdery sand and our road tyre pressures barely put a dent in the D-MAX's progress. Shortly afterwards we tackled a four-wheel drive loop in a nearby quarry, where once again the D-MAX handled the terrain with just a handful of revs.

It wasn't even breaking a sweat and either were we given the excellent air-conditioning pumping out on a sweltering day.

The Rough Stuff
The quarry also allowed the D-MAX's new Hill Descent Control to be employed. Unlike other similar systems, whereby the speed of the descent is controlled by the cruise control buttons, speed can be set or modified in the Isuzu system by using the brake pedal or accelerator, which seems like a more logical solution to us. It's available on all models – even in 4x2.

For off-road work the pair has a dual-range transfer case with switch actuation. We appreciated the very low first gear in the rough stuff, but noted it takes a full seven seconds on the button to deactivate the traction control.

The winding hinterland roads served as a worthy reminder of the D-MAX's competent handling. Running empty the ride wasn't overly harsh; it's firmer at the back, naturally, but it corners relatively flat. It's only when negotiating tight corners or roundabouts that the body roll becomes more pronounced.

With four coils over shocks the MU-X gives a predictably softer ride than the D-MAX, which has a front coil/rear leaf spring arrangement.

We have no complaints about the new six-speed auto. A true auto with 'lock up' torque converter, it's available on both the D-MAX and the MU-X. Isuzu says it has an 'adaptive learning' function that changes the shift pattern to suit the driver and application, and it shifts cleanly and smoothly. A manual sequential mode it also available; this proved especially useful at the quarry and on the beach.

The Isuzu six-speed manual is a close-ratio unit and it's linked to a gear shift indicator on the dash to promote fuel efficiency.

The Technology
The engine is still fairly raucous under acceleration. Isuzu says it's employed more sound deadening material to dampen the din, but to be honest we couldn't pick any difference from previous examples. If you're accustomed to diesel utes, there really isn't any issue. If you aren't, well – you'll acclimatise soon enough. Personally, we think the diesel growl adds to the drive experience…

While the interior of both vehicles is still a familiar affair, new 7.0 and 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreens are now found across the range, the latter complete with sat-nav. D-MAX Crew SX and LS-M models receive an eight-speaker stereo system, and all LS-spec models receive three USB ports – two in the front and one in the back.

All LS variants (both D-MAX and MU-X) now come with a reversing camera – previously it wasn't standard on the LS-M – and it's available as an option on D-MAX SX and EX variants.

Isuzu UTE says it drew its inspiration for the new front-end from the killer whale. We'll let you decide, but the new grille, bonnet and bumper, plus the new projector headlights with DRLs and fog lights (LS models), do in our books deliver a more modern, more aggressive stance.

All MU-X models and LS-spec D-MAX's have a five-star ANCAP rating, with six airbags, stability control, anti-lock brakes, traction control and emergency brake assist. One notable absentee here is trailer sway control, which would be a natural fit for vehicles often pressed into the role of tow tug.

Our 300km day of mixed driving delivered an average fuel economy of 10.3L/100km, while Isuzu says the changes have achieved an average efficiency of five per cent across the range.

Both these models are covered by Isuzu's attractive Service Plus 555 arrangement: a five-year factory warranty, five years of roadside assistance, and five years of capped-price servicing.

Also joining the line-up is a new limited-edition D-MAX X-Runner. Limited to 600 examples, the D-MAX X-Runner Crew Cab LS-M auto is available in Cosmic Black or Silky White Pearl. Loaded with extras, it's priced at $46,990 drive-away.

The Verdict
You have to admire any brand that dives head-first into a crowded, established market.

That's what Isuzu UTE did here with its D-MAX in 2008 and MU-X in 2013. In the years since it's steadily built a growing army of loyal customers – people devoted to a vehicle that's quickly built a reputation for performance, dependability, and value.

These new models build on that solid platform, and this update represents a solid and worthy step forward for the brand. We can't wait to throw both the D-MAX and the MU-X into a thorough comparison test, but based on this first look it seems Isuzu UTE's growth trajectory is still safely on the up.

2017 Isuzu D-MAX LS-M Crew 4x4 pricing and specifications:
Price: from $46,400 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 130kW/430Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 7.8L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 207g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

2017 Isuzu MU-X LS-Terrain 4x4 pricing and specifications:
Price: $54,800 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 130kW/430Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 8.1L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 214g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP