2024 Isuzu MU-X LS-M 1.9L review (video)

Isuzu has long been synonymous with tough, strong vehicles designed to withstand the harshest conditions. The MU-X 7-seat SUV continues this legacy, blending ruggedness with practicality for those who want to venture off the beaten track.

For 2024, the MU-X is also offered with a new 1.9-litre turbo-diesel engine that promises to broaden its appeal. It’s lighter, cheaper, and more fuel-efficient than the trademark 3.0L engine. But it comes with some trade-offs. Read on as we take a dive into the Aussie bush and give you the full run-down.

2024 Isuzu MU-X LS-M: Specifications

Engine: 1.9-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder
Output: 110kW@3600rpm / 350Nm@1800-2600rpm
Gearbox: Six-speed auto
Drive type: RWD/4WD
Wheels: F & R: 17×7.0, 255/65
ANCAP: Five stars
Tare weight: 1980kg
Power-to-weight: 18:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 7.4L/100km
Our consumption: 8.3L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 80L/Diesel

Power efficiency: 14.86kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 4.85 seconds*
0-100km/h: 11.65 seconds*
60-110km/h: 8.90 seconds*
1/4 mile: 17.96 seconds at 124.4km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.555g*
100-0km/h braking: 42.90m in 3.51 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.046g*
Decibel at idle: 51*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 79*
Starting price: $53,400

*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different

2024 Isuzu MU-X LS-M: How much does it cost?

There are three MU-X trim levels to choose from; the LS-M, LS-U and LS-T. Among these, you can choose from a 4×2 or 4×4, a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel or the new 1.9-litre turbo-diesel. Though, the LS-U loses the 1.9-litre in 4×2, and the LS-T misses any 1.9-litre option. Prices start at $47,400 and peak at $69,400 (excluding on-road costs). We spent a week with the LS-M 4×4 with the 1.9L, which retails from $53,400.

In comparison to other competitors with the same body-on-frame construction and seating for seven, the MU-X is aggressively priced. The Toyota Fortuner starts its pricing at $53,775, the Ford Everest from $54,240, the new Toyota LandCruiser Prado from $72,500, the Ssangyong Rexton from $50,000, the GWM Tank 500 from $66,490, and the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport starts from $51,540. The LDV D90 is the only competitor to challenge the MU-X’s starting price, starting from $43,147.

Uniquely, all new Isuzu MU-Xs are covered by a six-year, 150,000km warranty. Not unlimited kilometres like most other brands. 13. months of free roadside assistance is also included, or 7 years’ worth if your services are completed at an Isuzu service centre. Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, except the first service, which is complimentary, is due at 3000km or 3 months. For MY24 build MU-Xs, Isuzu offers a flat price for the next five services for $449 each.

2024 Isuzu MU-X LS-M: Interior & packaging

Climbing into the MU-X LS-M, and you’re met with a no-nonsense, functional interior. Being the base model, it’s far from luxurious, but it’s built to last and designed with practicality in mind. Hard plastics dominate the cabin, which some may see as a throwback to a more utilitarian era. It’s not fancy, but it’s sturdy and well suited to a vehicle that’s meant to be taken off-road. If you’ve been driving around in something with soft-touch materials or plush finishes, you may find the MU-X’s interior a little spartan.

That said, the interior delivers on comfort and space, with enough room for five passengers. For families or groups who occasionally need to transport more people, the third row of seats offer an ideal fit for two more passengers for short trips. Unlike most other SUVs, the second-row seats not only fold down, but the seat bottoms can be folded up towards the front – increasing vertical space when floor length is not so important. It’s a unique design that offers flexibility for taller items.

Further back, boot space is admirable, offering 1119 litres of volume to play with. When the second and third rows are folded down, the space increases to 2138 litres, or 311L with all rows up. We took our review unit on a weekend camping trip for three, and it easily swallowed the kitchen sink.

Back to the front row and the dashboard houses a tiny 7.0-inch touch-screen, and the cluster an even smaller digital info display. Both are, frankly, a bit of a letdown. You score a newer 9.0-inch touch-screen in the LS-U and LS-T models. The small font and low-resolution graphics are a reminder that this is an entry-level vehicle in terms of technology. While they are functional, they are equally underwhelming and look outdated. Again, this isn’t the kind of vehicle you buy for cutting-edge tech. But if you’re after simplicity, the MU-X doesn’t overcomplicate things, with manual seat adjustments and a manual air-conditioning system.

On the upside, the MU-X offers the basics to get the job done without any unnecessary frills. Items like auto wipers, auto lights, radar cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, blind spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, driver attention assist, lane departure warning with lane keeping aid, speed sign recognition, auto emergency braking with forward collision warning, bi-LED headlights with auto-levelling, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, second and third row air-con vents, two rear USB-A charging ports, and a 12-volt power outlet in the boot and centre console are standard across the range.

If you’re looking for wireless chargers, wireless app connection, automated seat adjustments, side door exit warning, trailer sway control, tyre pressure sensors, electric tailgates, or premium finishes, you’ll have to look at the higher trims or an entirely different SUV.

In terms of external styling, the MU-X is fairly simple and keeps any flair to a minimum, yet also portraying neat proportions and some sporty cues. Its contrasting black elements, sharp headlights that slope downwards to the centre, short overhangs, and an overall high-riding stance gives the MU-X an aura of strength and ruggedness.

2024 Isuzu MU-X LS-M: Powertrain & handling

Now to that new 1.9-litre turbo-diesel engine. While it offers several advantages – such as a lighter weight, improved fuel efficiency, and a lower price – it also comes with a few significant drawbacks. The first and most obvious is its lack of power. With just 110kW/350Nm, it’s noticeably slower than the 3.0-litre option, and more sluggish when compared to many competitors.

Hard acceleration produces almost the same outcome as a normal take-off, which can be frustrating during overtaking, or generally keeping up with the flow of other determined city drivers. Going from 0-100km/h can be achieved in 11.65 seconds according to our Vbox tests.

The engine’s labouring chug is a reminder that this is a truck engine – grumbly and unapologetically slow. The six-speed auto gearbox by Aisin tries its best to keep the engine on song, delaying gear changes, but it doesn’t shake the sense of sluggishness. You’re left wishing you’d gone for the 3.0L 4JJ. The 3.0-litre engine may not offer the same fuel economy, but at least it provides more oomph when you need it. Another gear or two wouldn’t go astray either.

Which brings us to fuel economy. If you appreciate a slower pace in life (and on the road), the 1.9L brings a mild improvement to fuel consumption thanks to its smaller displacement and lighter weight. Officially, it burns an average of 7.4L/100km. Our average over 700km was higher, at 8.3L/100km. The 4×4 3.0L engine averages 0.9L/100km more, at 8.3L/100km, officially. With that small fuel increase, we think it’s worth spending just $2k more to get the bigger engine. Plus, there are more benefits.

One of the biggest selling points of the MU-X is in its fitness for towing. The 3.0-litre engine offers the full 3500kg maximum towing capacity. But the 1.9-litre engine takes a 500kg hit. However, 3000kg is still vastly higher than non-body-on-frame SUVs. Though, with just 110kW, you might need lengthy run-offs for hills.

The other big selling point on all MU-Xs is about tackling tough terrain; and in that regard, it shines. The long-travel suspension is ideal for off-roading, offering excellent articulation over bumps, rocks, and ruts.

During our off-road adventure, it ate up the tracks and deep ditches with confidence, and without feeling like it was reaching its limits. Up the front goes with independent, coil-spring suspension with upper and lower wishbones and a stabiliser bar; and the rear gets five-link coil suspension with a stabiliser bar.

On the road, the MU-X’s top-heavy nature is well-controlled, and the lean is surprisingly well-reigned in, even during fast corners. It’s not going to win any lap times, but it’s more than capable enough when the terrain gets tricky.

Selecting 4×4 high and low range is made easy with a “Terrain Command” dial. And 4×2 and 4×4 high range modes are selectable at up to 100km/h. There is also just one selectable driving mode, Rough Terrain Mode, and of course, a rear differential lock.

The MU-X’s physical dimensions also enable good off-road capability, with an impressive 800mm wading depth, 230mm ground clearance (235mm in the LS-U and LS-T models), and a 27.6-degree departure angle. Interestingly, the approach angle takes a hit in the LS-M 1.9L 4×4 compared with the LS-M 3.0L 4×4, with 23.4 degrees versus 28.6 degrees. Likewise for the ramp-over angle, with 19.1 degrees over 22.6 degrees.

The steering is another feature designed with off-road performance in mind. It requires more turns to lock, which is great for navigating tricky trails but makes it more tiring to use in everyday city driving compared with a softer crossover. While this isn’t a deal breaker for those who plan to take the MU-X on long off-road adventures, it does make city driving a bit of a chore.

All that off-road capability is backed up by generously heavy-duty brakes, with 320mm ventilated front discs with twin-pot callipers, and 318mm ventilated rear discs with single-pot callipers. All models also score an under-front steel skid plate and full-sized spare, and 4×4 models are treated to additional steel plate guards for the sump, transfer case, and reinforced resin under the fuel tank. The base LS-M also picks up all-terrain tyres.

2024 Isuzu MU-X LS-M: Key attractions/reasons to buy

• Off-road ruggedness: The MU-X is an off-road champion, equipped with long-travel suspension, generous ground clearance, and a body-on-chassis design.
• Excellent value for money: Starting from $47,400, the MU-X offers great value compared to almost all competitors.
• Practical interior: The MU-X’s flexible interior space is a standout, with seating for seven standard across the fleet.
• Fuel economy: Officially rated at 7.4L/100km, it is one of the lowest consumption rates for a ladder-frame diesel 7-seat SUV.

2024 Isuzu MU-X LS-M: Key considerations before you buy

• Sluggish performance: The 1.9L engine, at 110kW/350Nm, is noticeably slower than competitors and the 3.0L. Hard acceleration feels sluggish, and overtaking can be frustrating.
• Reduced towing capacity: Going with the 1.9L sees max towing drop to 3000kg, which is 500kg less than the 3.0L variant.
• Limited technology: The MU-X’s interior tech feels outdated, with a small 7.0-inch touch-screen and low-resolution cluster display. And there is no wireless app connect.

2024 Isuzu MU-X LS-M: Video