Why the Isuzu MU-X is the SUV for every adventurous family

If you’re in the market for a value-packed SUV with a proven powertrain, extensive safety, and a well-earned reputation for reliability and durability, then the Isuzu MU-X is it.

And thanks to a wide range of models, there’s an Isuzu MU-X for just about every Aussie family, whether you’re commuting to work, doing the school drop-off, or getting away from it all come the weekend or school holidays.

The Isuzu MU-X is a large SUV that offers a spacious and comfortable cabin for up to seven occupants. And this is an SUV you can savour while driving, with its coil-spring suspension delivering a smooth and comfortable ride and its economical turbo-diesel engine providing excellent response. Add in a hefty 3500kg (braked) towing capacity, and you’re good to go for a wide range of family escapes and applications.

The Isuzu MU-X LS-T is top of the range, with plenty of executive luxury overlaying its tough, separate chassis design. Even better, the premium LS-T 4x4 model is available from just $67,400 plus on-road costs, making for solid value and affordability.

Whether you’re going for the flagship 4x4 or the more affordable LS-T 4x2 version ($61,400 plus on-road costs), the LS-T trim line comes bristling with features, such as leather-accented seats with power adjustment and seat heating up front – perfect for those chilly morning starts.

The LS-T’s interior is bathed in soft ambient lighting while outside it sets itself apart from the rest of the range with a set of unique, diamond-cut machined-face two-tone 20-inch alloy wheels.

Finally, the LS-T features remote keyless entry and push button start with walkaway door lock and remote engine start – giving you total interior climate control that allows you to set your desired temperature before getting in.

The MU-X LS-U is the mid-tier variant and a family-ready SUV that combines a generous features list with an attractive price. The LS-U starts from $55,400 plus on-road costs for the 4x2 and from $61,400 (plus on-road costs) for the 4x4.

It shares the top-of-the-range LS-T’s hands-free powered tailgate, heated body-colour side mirrors, rear privacy glass, keyless entry and push button start, roof rails, a 9.0-inch touchscreen with embedded satellite navigation, dual-zone climate control, leather steering wheel, power lumbar control for the driver’s seat, tyre pressure monitoring, auto-dimming rear-view mirror and front and rear parking sensors.

There’s also passive entry on the front doors and a walkaway door lock that automatically locks the vehicle once you’re more than three metres away. The LS-U sports its own unique 18-inch alloy wheels and has hard-wearing high-grade cloth-upholstered seating.

The affordable yet still well-specified entry model to the MU-X range is the LS-M, available in 4x2 or 4x4 from just $48,900 and $54,900 respectively, plus on-road costs.

The LS-M shares its high-grade cloth seat upholstery with the mid-spec LS-U, but offers a 7.0-inch centre touchscreen, 17-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres, and black interior and exterior accents in lieu of the chrome and piano-black finishes of the LS-U and LS-T.

Engineered with a generous payload capacity, the MU-X can comfortably accommodate up to seven, with usable space in the third row for adults.

Usable technological convenience and functionality are strong points throughout the Isuzu MU-X range. For starters, there’s adaptive cruise control in every MU-X, which allows the vehicle to maintain a set speed until it detects a slower vehicle in front, when it will then automatically decelerate to maintain a safe, pre-determined distance. It also has a Stop and Go function, holding the vehicle stationary for up to five minutes when stopped, preventing the vehicle from inadvertently rolling back or creeping forward while maintaining the vehicle with the flow of traffic.

Either wireless or wired Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto are also standard in all MU-Xs, allowing you to play music, navigate, and answer phone calls and text messages, all while hands-free.

There are six colours available across the range – Basalt Black Mica, Cobalt Blue Mica, Magnetic Red Mica, Mercury Silver Metallic, Obsidian Grey Mica and Mineral White. Two additional colours are available only on the LS-U and LS-T: Moonstone White Pearl and Galaxy Blue Mica.

All Isuzu MU-Xs share a combination of a responsive and economical 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine and a six-speed automatic transmission, resulting in a sturdy driveline that benefits from more than 100 years of Isuzu engineering expertise.

The only major mechanical option for all three trim levels is to choose either the 4x2 (rear-wheel drive) or part-time 4x4 driveline. Except for the off-road ability, shift-on-demand 4x4, dual-range transfer case, rear differential lock and rough terrain mode, there are no other differences between 4x2 and 4x4.

The engine has an ample 140kW and 450Nm to play with, making for relaxed progress whether cruising the freeway or running about town.

This versatile powertrain also delivers excellent economy, with an average of 7.8L/100km for 4x2 models or 8.3L/100km for 4x4. And you can bet on a long touring range no matter where you go in the MU-X, with its generous 80-litre fuel tank capacity.

Getting into the back seats is simple, with the well-thought-out design allowing easy access for adults and children alike. The middle three-seater split/fold bench (with three top-tether and ISOFIX child seat mounting points on the outboard seats) flips and tumbles forward and offers a simple step-up-and-into cavity into the third-row area.

Both third-row seats feature storage, air vents and cup holders, as well as a good amount of foot room. Even better is that the third-row seats fold individually, offering plenty of cargo space when required.

Middle-row seats also offer cup holders in the armrest and bottle holders in the doors, plus air vents and convenient handles, while front-seat passengers share a pair of cup holders and supportive seats.

There’s a comprehensive list of safety features offered in every Isuzu MU-X, culminating in a five-star safety rating, under the latest ANCAP crash safety protocols.

Each MU-X features a suite of eight airbags and all offer up-to-the-minute active safety features such as inter-urban autonomous emergency braking, a lane support system with lane keep assist, and emergency lane keeping functionality.

Not only does the MU-X activate its headlights automatically when it gets dark, but it also has an auto high-beam function. This automatically turns the high-beam lights on or off, saving that stressful dipping of beams whenever an oncoming vehicle approaches and flooding dark roads with light when immediately clear of traffic.

Also standard is trailer sway control, which gives peace of mind when towing up to the maximum 3500kg braked capacity by automatically mitigating any trailer imbalance that may develop.

And both LS-U and LS-T models add front parking sensors to what is already quite the comprehensive safety feature package already found on the base LS-M model.

Whatever your requirements, you are bound to find everything you need to customise your Isuzu MU-X amid the list of over 12 Isuzu UTE accessories. From simple additions such as a tinted bonnet protector to the lightweight but strong alloy bull bar, you’ll find an array of gear to make your new MU-X truly your own.

Finally, the entire Isuzu MU-X family comes backed by a confidence-inspiring six-year/150,000km factory warranty, plus up to seven years of roadside assistance and seven years of capped price servicing. In short, the Isuzu MU-X stacks up as one compelling and highly competitive purchase.

The new 2023 Isuzu MU-X range combines all the clever tech demanded by today’s savvy SUV buyers with a robust foundation and rugged dependability.

The end result? Whatever grade or driveline you choose, the Isuzu MU-X is one of the most broadly capable and value-packed SUVs on the market. To discover the Isuzu MU-X for yourself, head to Isuzu UTE Australia.