New Isuzu D-MAX and MU-X looming

It's been a long time coming, but Isuzu UTE Australia (IUA) is on the cusp of releasing the next iteration of its well-entrenched and increasingly popular ute and SUV, which will soon notch up 100,000 sales Down Under.

The nation's motoring press is set to descend on south-east Queensland today to test the new Isuzu D-MAX and MU-X, which are expected to boast a long list of updates to help them keep pace with their many rivals.

First introduced in 2008 (D-MAX) and 2013 (MU-X), the models have carved out a loyal following in Australia but they now face a stiff wave of new and refreshed competition. Isuzu sold a total of 16,359 D-MAXs last year, representing strong growth of 12 per cent, along with 7018 MU-Xs – 11 per cent more than in 2015.

That's a grand total of 23,377 units and growth of 11 per cent – well ahead of its 23,000-unit and 10 per cent growth targets and enough for the brand to slot in at number 15 on the overall Australian sales charts for 2016.

Drilling down into the burgeoning utility market, Isuzu sold 5038 examples of its 4x2 D-MAX last year (up an incredible 50.9 per cent from the previous year) and 11,321 examples of its 4x4 D-MAX, which essentially held steady (up 0.2 per cent).

That 4x4 tally put the D-MAX ahead of strong contenders such as Mazda's BT-50 (9489 units) and Volkswagen's Amarok (7498), but behind top-sellers like Toyota's HiLux (31,076), Ford's Ranger (30,880), Mitsubishi's Triton (17,969), Holden's Colorado (16,353) and Nissan's Navara (13,863).

The D-MAX fared better in the 4x2 market, finishing the year in third position behind the HiLux and Ranger, while the MU-X has carved out a solid 5.9 per cent slice of the large SUV market (under $70,000).

Combined, D-MAX sales outnumbered the Colorado for the second month running in December, when IUA sold 2604 vehicles, making it its second biggest month of sales since it set up shop Down Under in late 2008.

IUA has now sold 94,367 utes and SUVs.

According to IUA CEO and managing director, Yasuhiro Takeuchi, the company's momentum in this market will only continue to build.

"For eight years straight now we have posted significant growth – no easy feat when you're competing in the market's most competitive segments – and that's a testament to the hard work of our dealer network and staff," he said.

"We have some exciting developments planned for both the business and our products that will enhance our existing customers' experience and also attract new buyers to our brand, so I'm confident we will continue to prosper in 2017."

A large part of that strategy will no doubt revolve around an update for both the D-MAX and MU-X. While the company has remained tight-lipped on details, as reported by motoring last year, it is thought the newcomers will sport a frontal facelift, along with new interiors and a boosted equipment levels.

Those updates on their own will add to a shared platform that has won a reputation for durability and rugged performance. The 3.0-litre turbo-diesel hails from the truck world, and its commercial robustness appears to have struck a chord with Australian ute buyers.

It's likely that powerplant will continue on in the new Isuzus, as the new and more efficient 1.9-litre turbo-diesel unveiled last year won't be offered here, as confirmed by Isuzu's General Manager of Sales for Europe, Middle East and Oceania, Keiichi Yagai, at the 2016 Paris motor show.

However, motoring.com.au understands the new six-speed manual and automatic transmissions unveiled with the new engine will be fitted to our D-MAX and MU-X, which is likely to bring efficiency and performance improvements.

The established 3.0-litre oiler puts out 130kW and 380Nm, and is currently mated to either a five-speed manual or a five-speed automatic.

Check back soon for the full review of the upgraded 2017 Isuzu D-MAX and MU-X.