Isuzu has launched the MU-X SUV in India in two variants – a 4x2 and a 4x4 – priced at Rs 23.99 lakh and Rs 25.99 lakh respectively ex-showroom Delhi. The Isuzu MU-X is a seven-seater SUV that will compete with the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour.
The Isuzu MU-X is being assembled at Isuzu’s plant in Andhra Pradesh as a completely knocked-down (CKD) unit. After the launch of the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross pick-up last year, we expected fairly aggressive pricing with the MU-X, but import duties have put paid to that.
Design and Styling
The Isuzu MU-X shares its underpinnings with the D-Max V-Cross. It also shares its body shell and some interior components with its cousin, the Chevrolet Trailblazer, and hence the similarity in design. But the similarities end there. The front has a whole lot of chrome slapped on. It has the same ‘face’ as the D-Max V-Cross, with swept-back projector headlamps and a chunky grille. The fog lamp housing includes daytime running lamps.
It measures 4825 mm in length, is 1860 mm wide and 1840 mm tall, making it slightly longer than the Toyota Fortuner, but shorter than the Ford Endeavour. It has a wheelbase of 2845 mm, which is more than the Fortuner, but 5 mm shorter than the Endeavour. It has a ground clearance of 220 mm.
Interiors and Features
The interiors of the MU-X are finished in black and beige with leather upholstery. The dashboard is an all-black plastic affair and does look a little bland. It’s purely functional.
The MU-X, though, boasts of plenty of storage – a shelf on the dashboard, two glove boxes (one with a charging point), an armrest with storage under it, sunglass holder, cup holders near the AC vents to keep your drinks cool, two bottle holders in the centre console, bottle holders in all the doors and cup holders for all rows.
Legroom and headroom is very generous in the first two rows. Access to the third row is fairly easy with a mechanical tumble-down feature in the middle row. Legroom is a bit tight in the third row for tall adults, but decent enough for average sized people. Headroom is adequate, and thanks to the large windows, passengers won’t feel claustrophobic in the last row. Luggage room with all three rows up is 235 litres, which can be extended to 1800 litres with two rows folded down.
It has a fairly decent feature list, but nothing exotic. Its standard features include cruise control, single zone climate control with vents in all rows and blower control in the second row, steering audio controls, powered mirrors with auto fold, push-button ignition, powered driver’s seat and a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It does not have GPS navigation in India, although the variant sold in Australia does.
Safety features include two airbags, traction control, stability control, ABS and a reverse camera.
Engine and Transmission
The MU-X is powered by a 3.0-litre (2999 cc) 4-cylinder diesel engine that puts out 177 PS of power at 3600 rpm and 380 Nm of torque at 1800-2800 rpm. The 4x2 and 4x4 variants, both come with only a 5-speed torque converter automatic transmission. There is no manual option. Isuzu claims the 4x2 variant gives a fuel efficiency of 13.8 kmpl.
The four-wheel drive variant has a shift-on-the-fly electronic 4x4 shift system, with a low-range gearbox for some serious off-road usage. It does not get locking differentials or limited slip differentials though – something that the Endeavour and Fortuner offer.
Is It Worth It?
The price of the MU-X is cheaper than the Ford Endeavour and the Toyota Fortuner, but not by much. Buyers looking at a rugged SUV that would probably outlast its owner should look at the Isuzu MU-X. It has just the right amount of features, without getting into too many cosmetic additions and electronic gizmo trickery, that make it fairly good value. Given the off-roading prowess that the much cheaper D-Max V-Cross boasts of, the MU-X should be just as capable. And that could be its selling point.
However, if a buyer does have a couple of lakh rupees more, they could quite possibly be swayed by a Ford or a Toyota.
Also read: SUVs Under Rs 10 lakh: Spoilt for Choice
Isuzu MU-X Specifications
Price: Rs 23.99 lakh (4x2) / Rs. 25.99 lakh (4x4)
Dimensions: 4825 mm (L) x 1860 mm (W) x 1840 mm (H)
Wheelbase: 4825 mm
Ground clearance: 220 mm
Engine: 2999 cc, 4-cylinder diesel
Transmission: 5-speed automatic (torque converter)
Drive-train: 4x2 (rear-wheel drive) and 4x4 with low-range
Key features: Cruise control, powered driver’s seat, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, traction control, climate control, leather seats
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