Isuzu MU-X LS-M 1.9 4x4 2025 Review

The 2025 Isuzu MU-X LS-M 1.9 4x4 is the entry model to the MU-X 4x4 range and costs $54,400 (plus on-road costs).

The test vehicle was fitted with the following optional extras: Tow Bar Kit ($1195), 12-Pin Plug ($427), Electronic Brake Controller ($948), Rubber Mats ($252) and Premium Paint ($695). Price as tested is $57,917 (plus ORCs). Warranty is six years/150,000km and each 15,000km/12 month routine service is capped at $469 per service for five years.

In the subset of large, seven-seat SUV 4x4s, key competitors are the ageing Mitsubishi Pajero Sport GLX (from $51,540), the KGM Rexton ELX (From $50,000) and if not on a strict budget, the more pricey Ford Everest Trend (from $67,290). All prices are plus ORCs.

The 2025 Isuzu MU-X LS-M 1.9 4x4 comes with these notable features: 17-inch alloy wheels, side steps, keyfob activated lock/unlocking and keyless push-button start, 8.0-inch touch-screen display with wireless connectivity for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and active cruise control.

All MU-X models come with seven seat capacity, and it’s also worth noting here that this 1.9-litre model has 3000kg maximum towing capacity, versus 3500kg for the 3.0-litre models.

Inside, there’s a six-way adjustable driver’s seat, cupholders in all three rows, air-conditioning vents and controls in both rear seat rows as well as power adjustment for side windows and side mirrors.

As for infotainment, the already mentioned centre screen also offers AM/FM and DAB radio and the system relies on four speakers. The 4.2-inch digital dash display is straddled by conventional analogue dials.

There are two USB-C ports in the front, and two in the second row. A USB-A port is also fitted adjacent to the rear vision mirror for dash cam installs. Two 12volt ports are fitted, one in the dashboard and one in the cargo area.

Just because it’s the lowest spec in the range doesn’t mean the 2025 Isuzu MU-X LS-M 1.9 4x4 lacks safety equipment. Hill start assist, hill descent control, trailer sway assist and autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with junction assist and day/night pedestrian and cyclist detection are all standard fare.

Also part of the deal are 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.

Then there’s a manual speed limiter, traffic sign recognition, stop-and-go adaptive cruise control, post collision braking, forward collision warning, rear collision warning and braking, rear camera, rear parking sensors and mis-acceleration mitigation.

The MU-X offers eight airbags (front, front-side, side curtain, front-centre and driver’s knee) and has a five-star ANCAP safety result dated 2022.

The 2025 Isuzu MU-X LS-M 1.9 4x4 offers a more than adequate space in the front and middle rows in comfortable supportive seats.

While the sea of grey cloth and hard plastic trim don’t really scream ‘luxury’, it is all well put together and, as much as one can say after a two-week road test, it appears durable.

The safety suite is not as intrusive as some vehicles, although like many of them, the speed sign recognition isn’t always accurate.

The infotainment system is easy to use and even better are the manual dials for the air-conditioning controls.
Who ever thought we’d be praising such a thing? But we’re in a time when diving through several distracting menus to adjust temperature is not unusual.

The MU-X isn’t the sharpest handling SUV in the market but overall it points where you want it to go and is relatively smooth riding.

Driving unladen on the test, it shows that the 1.9-litre engine and six-speed automatic team well for city and highway driving.

Yes, adding a burst of speed on the highway will require more full throttle than you might want, but you don’t need to bury the foot all the time. What’s even better is that the 1.9-litre is relatively economical, delivering a fuel figure of a 7.7L/100km – versus a 7.4L/100km claim – after our test on a mix of city and highway roads.

It’s only when laden with a full load of passengers and/or towing heavy trailers that the 1.9-litre engine starts to struggle, and with it goes its fuel economy advantage.

It’s worth remembering a new 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine is soon headed our way to replace the 1.9-litre engine in the MU-X.

The lack of keyless entry (the LS-M only having keyless start) is a bit frustrating.

The ADAS system uses cameras only and not radar, which might explain why the system disabled a couple time on test when it apparently couldn’t ‘see’ when driving in late afternoon sunlight.

The 2025 Isuzu MU-X LS-M 1.9 4x4 is a well put together, good value family 4x4 wagon that ticks most of the boxes.

It gives you seating for seven, an economical diesel engine and a good mix of safety and tech features, but its engine has to work hard when laden, the ADAS camera system is still not quite right and keyless entry would really sweeten the deal, if it were included.

2025 Isuzu MU-X LS-M 1.9 4x4 at a glance:
Price: From $54,400 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 1.9-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 110kW/350Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 196g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2022)

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