Isuzu MU-X 2019 Review

The Isuzu UTE MU-X has, in its six-year history in this country, proved a major success. In fact, in 2018 it was Australia's top-selling ute-based SUV, the 9090 sales recorded last year putting it well clear of its closest direct rival, Ford's Everest (5482 sales).

The MU-X earned a hefty 7.9 per cent share of the lucrative large SUV segment, in which it was only surpassed by Subaru's Outback, Toyota's Kluger and Toyota's Prado.

Yes, that tally only represents roughly a third of all Isuzu UTE sales for 2018, the remainder going to the D-MAX ute on which the MU-X is based, but it's undeniably been a significant force behind a brand that, in 11 years, has won over a solid base of loyal customers with its practical, rugged, no-nonsense products.

Now, for 2019, Isuzu UTE's philosophy of gradual evolution continues, its revised two-product offering sporting a number of updates.

Carsales recently attended the media launch of the refreshed D-MAX and MU-X in Victoria, where Isuzu UTE executives spoke freely about every aspect of the 2019 models bar the 'elephant in the room' – the looming next generation, a shared collaboration between Isuzu UTE and Mazda.

There's still no official word on timing, but a prototype D-MAX was spotted undergoing testing in Scandinavia earlier this year and we may see the vehicle officially break cover by the end of the year ahead of a 2020 launch, with a new MU-X likely to follow in its wheel tracks.

What we can say is that the current D-MAX – and MU-X – are either at or very near the peak of their development, and have a proven track record. That in itself should provide plenty of sales impetus right up to the transition to the new platform.

So what's on offer for the latest Isuzu UTE MU-X? It's a modest update, with perhaps the single biggest change concerning Isuzu's boosted 'Service Plus' warranty and aftersales backup program.

Every new 2019-model-year MU-X (and D-MAX) now gets a six-year/150,000km factory warranty, with six years of roadside assistance and a long seven-year (or 105,000km) capped-price servicing scheme. Previously the cover ran to five years (and fewer kilometres) in each respect.

While its 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel (130kW/430Nm) remains unchanged, Isuzu UTE has ditched the six-speed manual transmission for the MU-X, which is now only available with the existing six-speed Aisin automatic.

The model continues to be available in 4x2 and 4x4 formats across (in ascending order) LS-M, LS-U and LS-T trim grades.

Safety is enhanced with the arrival of blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert, which are available together as a $955 accessory. Front parking sensors are also now available as a $545 accessory.

The MU-X's hydraulic steering has been recalibrated for lighter steering at lower speeds, while the SUV also sports various cosmetic enhancements. LS-U and LS-T grades now score new 18-inch alloys and the styling of the front radiator grille has been tweaked.

Inside, all MU-X models now receive piano black door trim, while the top-spec LS-T also receives red LED ambient door lighting.

Do the changes make an already solid offering even better? To find out, we loaded up an MU-X LS-T 4x4 with a family of four and luggage for a return trip from Melbourne to Katoomba, in NSW's Blue Mountains. There was a family wedding on the agenda and while it wasn't a holiday as such, we still got in a day of sight-seeing between the two 900km commutes.

This scribe is well acquainted with the MU-X; we've covered several thousand kilometres in them previously, from family trips with a camper trailer in tow to Victorian High Country escapes to off-road adventures with Isuzu UTE's I-Venture Club on Queensland's Moreton Island and in the Blue Mountains.

In fact, on this latest run we re-traced part of that last I-Venture outing, re-visiting Newnes and the scenic Wolgan Valley.

Yes, we're an outdoorsy family and my wife and two boys love a bit of 4WDing, hiking and camping, so for us the MU-X fits the bill on many fronts.

Packing an MU-X is not quite the game of Tetris it might be for many families thanks to the extra space afforded by the 50:50 split third-row seating which, when folded flat, expands the available luggage space from 235 litres to 878 litres. That in turn expands to a cavernous 1830 litres with the 60:40 split second-row seating folded down.

We easily fitted in all we needed, while the seven-seat configuration provides added flexibility to ferry around kids' friends if need be. The third row is entirely adequate for younger occupants, while most adults will struggle for head and leg room.

Cab storage, however, isn't overwhelming. The two-deck glove box is fairly compact, while the centre console bin is also on the small side, as are the door pockets. The centre console cup holders are tight, and won't accept larger sports bottles, but the outboard slide-out cup holders are well placed and convenient.

There's also overhead sunglasses storage and a concealed dash-top tray. And we like the inclusion of a 12-volt socket in the boot, along with recessed luggage hooks and the underfloor storage compartment.

There are coat hooks on either side in the second row, but none in the boot, which meant that on this trip our formal wear had to lie flat on top of our other luggage.

As we piled sleepy kids into the back and eased the MU-X out of the drive – by some miracle, actually at our intended departure time – we immediately felt at home in the MU-X, which has all the familiarity of an old friend.

In terms of on-road performance and handling it's not exactly exciting, but for a large, ladder-frame vehicle with a tare mass north of two tonnes and with decent off-road ability, it gets along just fine.

The engine is noisy under load but the cacophony dulls down on a steady throttle. There's a bit of wind noise at highway speeds but not so much as to hamper conversation. Vibration, however, is minimal, only surfacing at higher revs and never enough to annoy.

The Euro 5 engine is a rather lazy, under-stressed affair. Originally derived from Isuzu's N Series truck range, in which it was rated for GVMs up to 6500kg, it produces plenty of low-down torque, making it a favourite among off-roaders and those who tow. To that end, the MU-X has a very handy 3000kg towing limit.

On the open road, the engine lopes along at just 1450rpm at 100km/h in sixth gear. It takes a bit for the turbo to spool up for sudden bursts of power, but it gets the job done. Similarly, the Aisin auto goes about its business in an adequate if unremarkable manner, although it does get a bit busy when used in conjunction with the cruise control.

On any decent climbs the cruise control seems prone to indecision, cycling between fourth and sixth gear to maintain a set speed, and the system has a tendency to overrun on descents – by over 10km/h, which these days won't pass many police unnoticed.

We used the cruise control for much of our journey, but on more than one occasion I found myself missing the extra convenience afforded by the latest adaptive (radar) cruise control systems that are increasingly common on today's automotive landscape. Another one for the next-gen list, perhaps?

The MU-X has a coil-spring arrangement at all four corners with an independent arrangement up front and a live axle at the rear. For the most part it does a good job, treading a reasonable compromise between on-road handling and off-road ability, but not surprisingly there is a degree of body roll evident through the bends.

We couldn't discern any tangible difference between the steering of this updated MU-X and its predecessor, but it doesn't require any great effort at the wheel and is docile enough in general, with 3.8 turns from lock to lock. The steering wheel itself is adjustable for tilt, but not reach.

The braking package is well on task for hauling the MU-X down from speed, and the four-wheel-disc format is backed by Anti-Lock Brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Emergency Brake Assist.

A further MU-X strength is its all-round comfort. There's a good amount of room for both driver, passenger and second-row occupants, and the leather-accented seating adds a touch of class to what is still a fairly utilitarian cab, although softened by the leather-wrap steering wheel and the new addition of piano black door trim and (in this LS-T model) LED ambient lighting.

The leather-accented seating is exclusive to the MU-X LS-T, as is the six-way adjustable electric driver's seat, the roof rails, keyless entry and starting, chrome door handles, and the 10.0-inch movie screen, which drops down from the head lining.

This movie screen is a real hit with kids, but we'd like to see more power options in the second row to accommodate tablets and other devices, which prove so handy for kids (and parents) on long hauls. In the second row there's a single USB outlet and no 12-volt socket – cue World War III over iPad charging rights.

Things are better in this regard up front, with an HDMI socket, two USB outlets and a 12-volt socket located at the base of the centre stack, along with a further 12-volt socket in the upper glove box.

There's no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, either – we'd like to think this will be addressed in the next generation – but LS-U and LS-T grade trims both score an 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with satellite navigation.

The multimedia screen is a bit hard to read in direct sunlight, and the display itself is looking a little dated, but it's super easy to pair a new phone and it has Bluetooth audio streaming, but no voice commands.

The seating is fairly plush and supportive, although the lack of manual adjustment for the front passenger and the lack of lumbar support for same and the driver were noted. Still, every seat has its own adjustable headrest and there's a fold-down armrest with cup holders in the second row, and the system used to adjust all the seating through its various positions works well.

We only tip-toed around the edges of the MU-X's off-road ability on this particular trip, taking in a pot-holed dirt road to the old shale mining town (or what's left of it) of Newnes and then tackling a nearby river crossing (because, well, why not?).

However, previous experience has shown it's a pretty capable tool off road, and even though it doesn't have a locking rear diff like some rivals it will scrabble up, over, around and down most obstacles without much bother, aided by an easy-to-use hill descent control system.

Its off-road geometry and ground clearance (230mm) is decent, as is its underbody protection, while switching between two and four-wheel drive, or between high and low range, is easy thanks to the dial on the centre console.

Like its D-MAX sibling, the MU-X comes with a five-star ANCAP safety rating and packs in all the essentials, but it misses out the latest big safety advance like autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, dynamic steering and lane departure warning.

Still, it's good to see things like blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert now available for the MU-X, even if only as extra-cost accessories, while a reversing camera is standard across the MU-X range.

The second-row seating comes with three standard child restraint tethers plus ISOFIX mounting points for the two outboard seats.

And that leaves us with fuel economy. Over roughly 2100km, with a family of four plus luggage, and predominantly on sealed highways but with a little light off-road use thrown in, we achieved an excellent average fuel economy figure of 8.5L/100km.

With a (admittedly modest) 65-litre fuel tank, that's a safe range of over 725km. Those intent on serious off-roading often fit the MU-X with an aftermarket long-range tank, which may or may not involve moving the full-size spare wheel from under the rear of the vehicle to a roof basket or aftermarket rear bar.

Isuzu UTE's MU-X is a very capable, practical and effective family vehicle which, in 4x4 LS-T form, will unlock many of Australia's remote hidden gems in a high degree of comfort. It may be beginning to show its age in terms of the latest automotive technologies, but it's a proven performer that truly embraces and enhances the many outdoor lifestyle options we get to enjoy in this big country.

Yes, the MU-X may have a next-generation successor just around the corner, but this current and updated iteration – and especially with its boosted Service Plus arrangement – still has so much to offer.

How much does the 2019 Isuzu UTE MU-X LS-T 4x4 cost?
Price: $56,400 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 130kW/430Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.9L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 209g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP