Isuzu MU-X 2023 Review

Pricing is unchanged for 2023 across the Isuzu MU-X seven-seat large SUV range, despite some subtle styling tweaks and technology- and safety-related updates.

Cosmetic changes across the six-member 2023 Isuzu MU-X range include refreshed alloy wheel designs, darkened tail-light trim, glossy grey exterior and interior trim finishes and a new two-tone grille look, depending on the variant.

Available in rear-wheel or four-wheel drive and three trim levels, pricing starts at $48,900 plus on-road costs for the entry-level MU-X LS-M 4x2 and tops out at $65,990 (special drive-away price) for the MU-X LS-T 4x4 flagship.

Isuzu says the 2023 model year updates are the result of customer feedback and add to the MU-X’s value factor as it competes for sales with the likes of the new Ford Everest and evergreen Toyota Prado in the popular large SUV segment.

Most of the 2023 MU-X updates have also been introduced on the latest 2023 Isuzu D-MAX ute on which it’s based. For the full rundown of MU-X updates, see our news story here.

Our time at the local launch of the 2023 Isuzu MU-X in Queensland was largely spent driving a range-topping LS-T model, fitted with optional premium paint, 12-pin trailer plug, tow bar and electronic brake controller, for a drive-away price of $68,585.

The test vehicle also boasted the new ‘Galaxy Blue Mica’ exterior colour – one of seven optional paint finishes now available for an additional $650.

Another addition to the ute-based wagon’s standard kit list for the new model year is automatic deactivation of the blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert systems when a trailer or caravan is hitched up to the vehicle via the genuine tow bar and wiring harness.

Both LS-U and LS-T grades now come with tyre pressure monitoring as standard, as well as a new remote and hands-free powered tailgate.

Otherwise, the MU-X flagship comes well equipped with keyless entry, push-button ignition, bi-LED headlights, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, partial leather trim and heated front seats.

There’s also a leather-bound steering wheel with control buttons, electric park brake, a 9.0-inch touch-screen with wireless phone streaming and dual-zone climate-control air-conditioning, among other standard kit.

Externally, the LS-T gets roof rails, fog lights, aluminium side steps, privacy glass from the B-pillar back, colour-coded door handles and powered fold-in exterior mirrors with turn indicators.

The 2023 Isuzu MU-X also comes with a six-year/150,000km factory warranty, with up to seven years of roadside assistance and capped-price servicing.

The impressive safety suite in the five-star ANCAP-rated 2023 Isuzu MU-X LS-T includes eight airbags, anti-lock brakes, electronic traction and stability control, hill start assist, hill descent control, trailer sway assist and autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with junction assist and day/night pedestrian and cyclist detection.

Other driver assist technology fitted includes auto headlights with high beam assist, rain-sensing wipers, blind spot and driver attention monitoring, emergency lane keeping, lane keep assist and lane departure warning and prevention.

There’s also a manual speed limiter, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, post collision braking, forward collision warning and misacceleration mitigation.

To make reversing easier, there’s a rear camera as well as front and rear parking sensors, along with an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and tyre pressure monitoring.

As mentioned, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert systems on the 2023 MU-X now automatically deactivate when a trailer is hitched up to the vehicle via the genuine tow bar and wiring harness – a so-called “driver sanity” feature that was tested successfully during the launch by hitching up a tandem axle work trailer.

Together with the off-roader’s long list of passive and active safety tech, the in-cabin technology suite fitted to the 2023 Isuzu MU-X LS-T includes a 9.0-inch touch-screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, satellite navigation and an eight-speaker audio system.

The touch-screen is clear and easy to interact with and pairing a phone is relatively simple. The screen resolution is also good enough to allow a clear view behind when using the rear-view camera for reversing or hitching up a trailer.

Less user-friendly is the small, cluttered digital screen/trip computer located between the analogue instruments behind the steering wheel which, as mentioned in other MU-X reviews, packs in too many signs and numerals in the one 4.2-inch display that creates some confusion when driving.

Like some other aspects of the MU-X, a little familiarity and time spent with the user manual should enhance legibility and useability, while the fact it’s now easier to deactivate or disable some of the more intrusive driver aids when they become too annoying or are not required is also appreciated.

No changes have been made to the trusty 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder powerplant in the 2023 Isuzu MU-X, which continues to churn out 140kW at 3600rpm and 450Nm across 1400Nm-3250rpm, and drive either the rear or all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.

The braked towing capacity remains at an impressive 3500kg, although a kerb weight of around 2200kg, GVM of 2800kg and GCM of 5900kg means you won’t be able to carry too many people and/or gear in the vehicle with the maximum permissible trailer weight in tow.

Official fuel economy for the 2023 Isuzu MU-X LS-T is 8.3L/100km (ADR combined), delivering a theoretical range of close to 1000km from the 80-litre fuel tank.

We saw an average economy figure closer to 9.4L/100km on the tarmac and a bit higher during some off-road sand driving, which is similar to figures achieved previously in a lightly loaded MU-X.

Expect that to rise to 17-18L/100km when towing a large 2500kg-plus caravan, based on previous experience.

The top-spec 4x4 version of the 2023 Isuzu MU-X continues to offer an impressive blend of around-town comfort, safety and luxury, with an inherent core of rugged off-roadability that’s easily accessed via a few switches and dials as required.

On the blacktop it’s a surprisingly quiet, smooth and refined drive for a jacked-up, two-tonne-plus vehicle based on a ladder-frame ute chassis, although there’s only so much Isuzu can do to try and hide the off-road architecture and diesel rattle from driver and passengers perched in the nicely sculpted seats of the LS-T’s leather-lined cabin.

Body roll is evident but well contained in roundabouts, and the coil-spring rear-end soaks up patchy tarmac, albeit with a firmer ride thanks to the LS-T’s 20-inch wheel and tyre package.

We had the chance to spend a couple of hours in the rear seats of the MU-X on the run back to Brisbane airport, and it’s certainly a bit more spacious and smoother for rear passengers riding back there, with the added comfort of a reclining backrest, compared to the jiggly leaf-sprung rear-end of an unladen top-spec D-MAX dual-cab ute.

Acceleration from standstill is just brisk enough to keep up with the local traffic, thanks to the mostly smooth and responsive changes from the auto transmission.

But where the MU-X really shines is out on the open road, with the workhorse engine barely ticking over in top gear at 100km/h.

Despite the latest updates, there’s still some way to go with the amount of beeps and warnings experienced in the techno-laden second-gen MU-X, especially when cruising around in multi-laned traffic, unless you make the effort to switch them off.

That said, much of the safety tech works quite well when called upon, including the active cruise control in clogged freeway traffic.

The off-road component of the 2023 Isuzu MU-X drive program was restricted to a fairly straightforward beach run, from Noosa North Shore to Double Island Point, return.

The hard-packed shoreline with occasional softer sandy section proved little challenge for the 4x4 Isuzu’s off-road armoury which includes 235mm ground clearance and a part-time 4WD system with low-range and locking rear differential.

There’s also a Rough Terrain Mode switch for when the going gets really tough.

The LS-T’s stylish 20-inch alloys and highway tyres are a potential weak point for heavy-duty mud-bashing or rock-hopping, but dropped down to 25psi they were perfectly fine for our ‘lifestyle’ beach adventure.

A couple of shallow saltwater crossings were also well within the Isuzu’s 800mm wading depth, while the steel front skid plate and guards protecting the underbody provided some off-road confidence.

It’s worth noting that lowering of tyre pressures to encourage the tyres to float over the sand rather than dig in resulted in the multi-information display freezing, presumably caused by the vehicle’s tyre pressure monitor detecting a possible flat tyre instead of a temporary reduction in tyre pressures.

The 2023 Isuzu MU-X LS-T flagship delivers a pleasant environment up front on the stitched leather-lined seats with soft leather-clad steering wheel, and plenty of soft padded surfaces including the dash and side arm rests to hide the scratchy hard plastics exposed on lower-spec variants.

We particularly liked the padded left and right arm rests on the longer drives, while the numerous cubby holes and storage nooks scattered around the cabin held all our nick-nacks including phones and water bottles.

The top-spec MU-X also gets ambient interior lighting and overhead centre console lighting which is hardly essential for the Outback but a nice touch on the Saturday night drive to the Opera.

Isuzu has added enough insulation to block road din and engine rattle to allow enjoyment of podcasts and music through the decent stereo, and the dual-zone climate control works a treat, either by blasting cool air right through the cabin from the front vents, or via the manually controlled roof-mounted vents that fire directly on to the hot heads of rear passengers on sunny days.

There’s decent headroom and knee-room for at least two adults or three children in the second row, which also gets twin USB sockets. The flip-up third-row seats are best reserved for the young ones.

The new remote powered tailgate makes loading up the cavernous boot (with third row folded flat) easier than before, although it activates by walking towards it and then taking a step back – rather than the usual ‘foot swipe’.

This means that unlike some rivals the hands-free system will still work with the factory tow bar fitted.

The second-generation Isuzu MU-X already delivered solid value across the range, so the no-cost updates for 2023 make it a more appealing package for buyers who appreciate a few creature comforts and design aesthetics when out and about touring, towing, bush-bashing or just carting the family around.

The styling tweaks inside and out, including the new premium paint option, provide a more upmarket Euro feel together with showroom appeal for one of a handful of large SUVs on the market with true off-road ability.

The latest tech updates also make the MU-X even more user-friendly than before.

While it continues to fall short in a couple of areas, including not offering a more sophisticated on-demand 4x4 system like the Ford Everest, Isuzu’s big-selling ute-based wagon still delivers plenty of punch and panache for the dollars, for those seeking a jack-of-all-trades family wagon.

2023 Isuzu MU-X LS-T 4x4 at a glance:
Price: $65,990 (drive-away)
Available: Now
Engine: 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 140kW/450Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 220g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five star (ANCAP 2021)