Is the entry-level model of the Isuzu MU-X 4×4 SUV the very best you may get? In a couple of methods it may very well be, however there are some notable shortcomings contained in the cabin of essentially the most reasonably priced model of the ute-based off-roader.

I’ll let you know all about them on this assessment, in addition to how sensible the inside is, how usable the boot area is, the driving manners, the security tech on supply, and many extra. 

By the top of this assessment you must have the ability to decide whether or not the 2024 Isuzu MU-X LS-M goes to tick your packing containers, or if you need to be spending up on one of many higher-grade variations – let’s get to it.

How a lot does the Isuzu MU-X LS-M price?

There are six variations of the Isuzu MU-X out there in Australia throughout three trim ranges – all with the selection of 4×2 and 4×4. The LS-M on check right here is essentially the most reasonably priced of the lot.

That pricing is fairly respectable for a diesel ute-based SUV with 4WD and large towing capability, and that’s little question a part of the rationale the MU-X is among the nation’s hottest giant SUVs.

If you happen to’re questioning what it competes in opposition to, the plain rivals are the Ford Everest ($53,290 to $77,000), the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport ($44,940 to $62,440), and Toyota Fortuner ($53,775 to $66,755), 

Lower-price alternate options that provide a good bit extra for the cash when it comes to feel-good issue embody the LDV D90 ($38,937 to $52,095 D/A), and the SsangYong Rexton ($47,990 to $56,585 D/A).

Isuzu MU-X pricing:

• Isuzu MU-X LS-M 4×2: $48,900
• Isuzu MU-X LS-M 4×4: $54,900
• Isuzu MU-X LS-U 4×2: $55,400
• Isuzu MU-X LS-U 4×4: $61,400
• Isuzu MU-X LS-T 4×2: $61,400
• Isuzu MU-X LS-T 4×4: $67,400 ($65,990 D/A)

Costs are earlier than on-road prices except specified

What’s the Isuzu MU-X LS-M like on the within?

You actually received’t confuse it for one of many increased grade variations of this automobile, as a result of as quickly as you sit within the base mannequin, it feels and appears like a base mannequin. I say this with confidence, as a result of within the weeks main as much as this check, I drove each the LS-U and LS-T fashions. 

The tell-tale components are the steering wheel – which is plastic, not leather-lined, however at the least it’s a fairly good plastic to carry – and the air-con controls are guide dials, not digital triggers just like the higher grades.

One other useless giveaway is above these dials, the tiny 7.0-inch touchscreen media system, which has a number of the largest bezels of any display in the marketplace proper now.

Personally, I feel it appears ridiculous, particularly in comparison with the bigger 9.0-inch show fitted as commonplace within the grades above.

I can perceive why Isuzu has needed to supply a smaller display with out satnav on this grade. Nevertheless, it’s additionally not the best display to make use of and takes a very long time to recognise a related cellphone (whether or not related through wire or wirelessly) to Apple CarPlay.

There’s not a lot to the menus in case you are utilizing smartphone mirroring, however in any other case you do have AM, FM and DAB+ digital radio. There may be one USB port in addition to 12V and auxiliary plugs upfront.

I really just like the guide controls for the air-con, however I’ll say that the MU-X’s cabin is kind of sluggish to heat up on chilly mornings. Anecdotally, it took twice as lengthy to get issues heated up because the Ford Everest I had throughout the identical mortgage interval.

On the subject of storage there’s a tray in entrance of the gear selector (which can also be plastic, not leather-based), and there are a pair of cupholders between the seats. There are additionally two extra on the edges of the dashboard, in addition to bottle holders within the doorways and a small coated centre console bin.

I just like the transmission tunnel space which has a pleasant padded part to guard your legs when you’re off-roading. The seat consolation can also be not too unhealthy, though it does lack just a little little bit of adjustability in comparison with costlier fashions.

Now I’m not the form of one who does their make-up on the way in which to work; however in case you are, you would possibly hate this automotive!

That’s as a result of it doesn’t have a conceit mirror within the driver’s-side solar visor, however there may be one on the passenger facet – though not illuminated. I additionally didn’t love the truth that it doesn’t have an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

Within the again there are two USB-A ports; just a little storage cubby; map pockets on the seatbacks; bottle holders within the doorways; ceiling-mounted air vents with a fan controller above the centre center seat and a flip-down armrest with a pop-out tray and cupholders should you solely have two occupants within the again.

There’s additionally a helpful procuring bag hook on the again of the entrance passenger seat, which is a pleasant function.

Occupant area within the again is fairly good. I’m 182cm or 6’0” tall, and I can comfortably sit behind my very own driving place with ample foot and knee room, and fairly good head room and shoulder room as properly. You may match three adults throughout the again; or when you’ve got children, there are twin ISOFIX factors within the window seats and three top-tether factors as properly.

Entry to the third row? There aren’t any sliding seats on this automotive, which makes it just a little bit much less sensible than some others.

The smallest portion of the split-folding second-row seat is on the motive force’s facet, which signifies that should you do have a child seat within the conventional place of behind the entrance passenger, you may be asking those that must entry the third row to get in through the roadside of the automotive.

Nevertheless, that smaller portion does have a intelligent flip-and-fold seat mechanism, which does permit comparatively quick access to the third row. 

Within the again there are reclinable seats, which makes for a extra gratifying back-seat bandit expertise than say, the Ford Everest, which doesn’t have that sort of adjustment for the third row.

Plus, the area within the again row is superb – higher than Everest, belief me! – and there’s higher foot and head room; though the third-row home windows are small, which may very well be unhealthy information for many who are vulnerable to journey illness.

Storage choices within the third row embody a pair of cupholders with trays on high of every of the wheel arches, however there aren’t any USB ports within the again. There are additionally no little one seat anchor factors for the third row and no overhead lighting for the third row both.

If you happen to do have these seatbacks reclined, you do have restricted third row-up cargo area, which has a most capability of 311 litres in the event that they’re not laid again.

If you happen to fold the third-row seats down, there’s a household pleasant area with heaps of boot quantity for giant holidays – 1119 litres, in response to Isuzu. If it’s simply you and your accomplice off for a tenting journey that will get rained out, you could possibly sleep within the again with all of the rear seats folded flat, as there’s an enormous 2138L of area in that configuration.

Boot practicality features a 12-volt port and a side-mounted gentle, whereas below the boot ground there’s a small further storage space. Being a giant ute-based SUV, it does have a full-size spare wheel beneath the physique of the automotive.

What’s below the bonnet?

Powering all variations of the Isuzu MU-X is a 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel (4JJ3-TC), which makes 140kW of energy (3600rpm) and 450Nm of torque (1600-2600rpm).

It comes commonplace with a six-speed computerized transmission and the LS-M has the selection rear-wheel drive (4×2), or 4×4 with low-range switch case and locking rear differential.

The towing capability for all grades and variations is 750kg for an unbraked trailer, and 3500kg for a braked trailer. The gross automobile mass (GVM) for 4×2 fashions is 2700kg, with 4×4 fashions upping that to 2800kg. Gross mixture mass (GCM) throughout your complete vary is 5900kg.

Gasoline tank capability is 80 litres, and the official mixed cycle determine is 8.3 litres per 100km. Over my time with the MU-X LS-M 4×4, I noticed a real-world return of 9.8L/100km with freeway, city and back-road driving thrown into the combination.

How does the Isuzu MU-X LS-M drive?

The MU-X LS-M is a reasonably good factor to drive, and having examined increased fashions vary (with greater wheels) in latest occasions, I feel one of many nicest issues about this base mannequin is the trip consolation on supply.

It has smaller alloy wheels with higher-profile all-terrain model tyres, which do cushion occupants to a larger diploma than in increased grades – the LS-T with its 20-inch rims is much more brittle. 

That isn’t to say that it’s good, however it’s fairly spectacular. Households can relaxation assured that they are going to be tremendous on longer highway journeys, even on tough and bumpy nation roads. I drove on these on this automotive and within the mid-range LS-T, and I discovered this model to be way more appropriate on poor-quality roads.

The steering may be very pure and lightweight in feeling as you’re driving at increased speeds. Nevertheless at decrease speeds – notably when you’re performing a parking manoeuvre or a three-point flip – you’ll discover it could actually get heavy if you’re altering instructions, requiring fairly a little bit of arm-twirling with the intention to get round in a decent spot.

It’s not a dealbreaker, however it’s one thing you would possibly wish to think about should you do a lot of these types of driving strikes.

The engine feels as much as job for essentially the most half, although it could actually really feel just a little breathless if you ask numerous it; as an illustration when you’re overtaking up a steep hill, you would possibly discover it feels prefer it’s run out of puff earlier than anticipated.

It does its greatest work within the low to mid rev vary, regardless of the very fact there may be some lag from a standing begin as properly.

The six-speed computerized transmission is okay, however at occasions it may be just a little bit confused when it comes to selecting the best gear – or, extra accurately, in sticking with a selected gear.

Additionally word, notably when driving across the suburbs, the engine is kind of loud.

From expertise, the engine and transmission are inclined to do a reasonably good job when towing, though as soon as extra, you possibly can really feel it run out of grunt in case you are asking numerous the engine.

What isn’t annoying is the truth that you possibly can instantly swap off the lively lane maintaining system by holding the button on the steering wheel, which does make dwelling with the automotive so much simpler should you’re the form of particular person (like me) who doesn’t like having the automotive pushing them round of their lane.

On this check I didn’t full any off-road driving or towing, however I’ve accomplished that in an MU-X earlier than.

On the subject of off-roading, it does have some fairly good {hardware}.

This contains that rear differential lock for 4×4 fashions, low-range gearing and a reworked traction management system that’s far much less intrusive than within the earlier technology MU-X.

So you possibly can relaxation assured that with some helpful upgrades (maybe much more aggressive, all-terrain tyres, possibly a raise package, and the elimination of these low facet steps) it will likely be a reasonably formidable factor off the crushed monitor.

Need to see Paul’s off-road check of the MU-X? Try the video up high.

What do you get?

MU-X LS-M highlights:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• All-terrain tyres
• Full-size alloy spare
• Computerized LED headlights
• Computerized high-beam lights
• LED daytime working lights
• LED mixture tail lights
• Darkish gray metallic tail gentle accents 
• Rain-sensing window wipers
• Black and gunmetal gray grille 
• Color-coded entrance bumper
• Black aluminium facet steps
• Black facet mirrors
• Below-front metal skid plate
• 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wired, wi-fi Apple CarPlay
• Wired Android Auto
• DAB+ digital radio
• 4-speaker sound system
• 4.2-inch digital multi-function show
• Handbook air-conditioning
• Second and third row air vents
• Polyurethane steering wheel
• Polyurethane gear selector
• Electrical park brake
• Keyless entry
• Push-button begin
• Carpet flooring
• 7 seats
• Fabric upholstery
• 6-way manually adjustable driver’s seat

LS-M 4×4 provides:

• 4×4 choose dial
• Rear differential lock button
• Metal plate guards

What’s lacking? You don’t get an auto-dimming rearview mirror, the media display is 2 inches smaller than the subsequent grade up, there’s no keyless entry buttons to get into the automotive, and also you miss out on local weather management air-con… amongst different issues, akin to tyre strain monitoring, sat nav, and many extra.

I additionally don’t love that it misses out on roof rails, which limits the practicality should you did wish to match racks or a platform on high; and the mirror caps and door handles are simply an unpainted plastic end.

Is the Isuzu MU-X LS-M protected?

The MU-X wears a five-star ANCAP security ranking, although its primarily based on exams of the D-Max ute in 2022.

The MU-X has a reported grownup occupant safety rating of 86 per cent, little one occupant safety rating of 85 per cent (the D-Max managed 89 per cent for this criterion), susceptible highway consumer safety rating of 69 per cent, and security help rating of 84 per cent.

Commonplace security tools contains:

• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB
  • Pedestrian, Bicycle owner detection
  • Flip help (junction AEB)
• Ahead collision warning
• Publish-collision braking
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Blind-spot monitoring
  • Auto swap off – disables when towing
• Rear cross-traffic
  • Auto swap off – disables when towing
• Lane departure warning
• Lane hold help
• Emergency lane-keeping
• Adaptive cruise management
• Rear parking sensors
• Reversing digicam
• Trailer sway management
• Site visitors signal recognition

LS-U variants and above additionally obtain entrance parking sensors and tyre strain monitoring.

Sadly, no model of the MU-X has a surround-view digicam, which is one thing seen on some smaller SUVs at half the value. It simply makes for a extra reassuring driveway or parking expertise, particularly for folks with children.

How a lot does the Isuzu MU-X LS-M price to run?

Isuzu Ute Australia gives a six-year/150,000km guarantee, which is an extended length than is obtainable by Ford and Toyota (each five-year/limitless km), however not fairly as beneficiant as SsangYong’s seven-year/limitless guarantee.

Sure, there’s additionally a Mitsubishi with a conditional 10-year/200,000km guarantee, however it requires you to service your automotive solely (and expensively) with Mitsubishi’s community.

The model additionally gives seven years of roadside help, offered you service your automobile with Isuzu’s service community.

As for service prices and concerns for the Isuzu, there’s a capped-price plan for seven years/105,000km, with the annual common upkeep price figuring out at $527. There’s additionally a free three-month/3000km checkup.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Isuzu MU-X LS-M

There’s so much to love about this entry-level Isuzu MU-X LS-M, although it’s removed from good.

Though it feels a bit outdated on the within – courtesy of that media display and a number of the supplies – it may nonetheless be an incredible possibility for many who aren’t as within the blingy bits and simply need a reliable seven-seater with off-road chops.

Click on the photographs for the complete gallery

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