Tow test: Isuzu MU-X LS-T

For a company with essentially just two models, Isuzu UTE is batting well above its weight in Australia, and the success isn’t all about the D-MAX utility. No, the Isuzu UTE MU-X SUV is also on a charge, and was in 2017 the nation’s top-selling ute-based seven-seater.

The 8087 Isuzu MU-Xs sold last year (FCAI VFACTS data) put it ahead of direct rivals like Ford’s Ranger-based Everest (4607 units) and Holden’s Colorado-based Trailblazer (3304 units) – no mean feat given the size of those two corporate behemoths…

To get to the bottom of the Isuzu UTE MU-X’s popularity Down Under, we recently subjected one to a typical Aussie adventure – a four-day sojourn to Victoria’s Cape Conran, in far eastern Gippsland, with a camper trailer and a couple of kids in tow.

At our disposal was Isuzu UTE’s MU-X LS-Terrain 4×4. The LS-Terrain, or LS-T, is the highest grade in the MU-X family, topping the mid-spec LS-U and entry-level LS-M. All three grades are available in either 4×2 or 4×4 formats, the latter also boasting sump and transfer case guards.

The mid-spec MU-X LS-U adds niceties like fog-lights, a larger 8.0-inch touchscreen, privacy glass, climate control, integrated sat-nav, power folding mirrors, and an alarm to the equation, among others. The LS-T builds on that with leather-accented seating, electric driver’s seat adjustment, keyless entry, roof rails, a tailgate spoiler, push-button ignition, and a 10.0-inch, ceiling-mounted entertainment screen.

For all this you can expect to pay $56,100 (plus on-road costs). But until March 31 this year, 2017-plated examples can be had for just $52,990 drive -way – compare that to $74,701 (plus ORCs) for the equivalent Ford Everest Titanium or $52,490 (plus ORCs) for the Holden Trailblazer LTZ.

Powering the show is Isuzu UTE’s ubiquitous 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel. The unit came in for an update early last year and it now meets Euro5 emissions compliance courtesy of a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system, which is becoming increasingly common on the passenger vehicle landscape.

The update also added more grunt. The MU-X develops peak torque of 430Nm, up from 380Nm, while peak power remains unchanged at 130kW.

Luggage space and rear comfort
Packing the Isuzu UTE MU-X for the adventure was easy. While rear luggage space is minimal with the third-row seating up (235 litres), with it folded flat there’s 878 litres of space – which in turn transforms to a voluminous 1830 litres with the third and second-row seating down.

There's decent room for kids and adults alike in the second row and the third row is adequate for younger occupants, and both the second and third rows benefit from dedicated roof venting for the very effective climate-control system. On the return run home, when the mercury topped 41 degrees, we remained cool and comfortable.

Our kids loved the drop-down movie screen, too – it's got to be far better for young necks and eyes than craning over an iPad in their lap…

Speaking of devices, in the front of the cabin there are two USB ports, an HDMI port and a 12-volt socket at the bottom of the centre stack, plus a further 12-volt outlet in the top of the two (smallish) glove compartments. Add in the rear USB port and a rear power outlet for a portable fridge/freezer, and the MU-X is well covered in this respect.

Cabin and convenience
From behind the wheel the MU-X's interior is rather utilitarian, but it really depends on one's expectations and intentions as to whether that's a detractor or not. Yes, there's plenty of plastic and, while it is broken up by softer textures here and there, it should at least prove hard-wearing and easy to clean – important points for those regularly heading off-road.

The stereo pumps out quality sound (AM/FM/CD/MP3/Bluetooth streaming, but no DAB+ digital) and the factory sat-nav works well.

The seating position at first takes some getting used to – I found myself sitting quite high, with my vision intersecting the top third of the windscreen, yet the steering wheel seems a little low. The latter is adjustable for tilt but not reach, but with a few miles I grew accustomed to the set-up.

Vision is generally good, although the rear-three-quarter view is restricted in the way of most SUVs and the B-pillars are quite wide. Helping things is a reasonable rear-view camera, although the guidelines are fixed and the MU-X misses out on features like cross traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring. There are rear parking sensors only.

The MU-X scores a five-star ANCAP safety rating and it has six airbags, while younger families will appreciate the three child-seat tethers and ISOFIX mounting points in the second row. There's standard cruise control but no radar (adaptive) cruise, and there’s no speed limiter.

Yes, the MU-X lacks many of the features found in a range of modern top-grade SUVs and off-roaders, but then the model really hasn't been tinkered with too much since its introduction in 2013. It's a simpler recipe built to a lower price point but it works, in a 'what you see is what you get' kind of a way.

On the road
The three-litre turbo-diesel, which tracks its lineage back to Isuzu's light-duty trucks, is a faithful performer. With a 3000kg braked towing limit it barely noticed our 750kg (ATM) camper out the back, and in general it’s a lazy and under-stressed engine.

It's still a reasonably raucous engine under acceleration despite recent noise suppression tactics. However, the engine note is barely noticeably on a steady throttle and road noise is negligible, although there is a little wind noise at highway speeds.

There's reasonable grunt for overtaking and its low-revving nature is ideal for slow-speed off-road work. We didn't encounter anything more challenging than corrugated dirt roads on this trip, but previously we've been very impressed with the MU-X's off-road acumen.

There's a dual-range transfer case for when things get gnarly plus hill-descent control and hill-start assist. Switched from rear-drive to four-wheel drive (high range) is carried out via the dial on the centre console up to 100km/h, while changing to low range must be done at a standstill in neutral.

There's a noticeable degree of lag on putting your foot down from a standing start but rolling response is good, and the new six-speed Aisin auto changes smoothly enough. The brakes have ample power, even with a camper on the back.

The ride itself is superb – supple and comfortable – and the MU-X's coil-over-shock arrangement soaks up road imperfections nicely. There is some body-roll through the bends and a little understeer when pushing on, but it's nothing unusual for a vehicle just as at home traversing steep and rocky tracks in the high country as it is doing the school run.

Frankly, it was an ideal choice for our beach escape, and its practicality came to the fore when a mid-trip excursion to nearby Buchan Caves saw all three rows of seating filled, and four excited kids in the back.

Fuel economy? Over 2000km we recorded 9.5L/100km around town, while that figure rose to 10.5L/100km loaded up with the camper in tow. Healthy figures, to be sure, and the MU-X's range of over 700km isn't too bad either.

Summing up
And that, for us, underlines the MU-X's broader appeal. It's just so flexible, switching easily from shopping cart to off-roader, tow-tug to highway tourer. It can't match Ford's Everest Titanium for features but it's priced accordingly, and it's built tough to handle the rigours of typical Aussie adventures.

There's an honest, hardworking nature to it, and when you back that up with a five-year/130,000km warranty, capped-price servicing and complimentary roadside assistance, we – like so many buyers of this model in recent years – found the MU-X to represent compelling value.

2018 Isuzu UTE MU-X LS-Terrain 4×4 Auto pricing and specifications:
Price: $56,100 (plus ORCs)
Engine: 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 130kW/430Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.9L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 209g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP (tested 2013)