Isuzu Ute MU-X is a seven-seat family SUV from a Japanese company that has a long history of producing hard working vehicles.
Indeed, Isuzu has a history dating back for more than 100 years in light commercial vehicles including a couple of decades when they were sold here rebadged as Holdens.
The MU-X is one of only two vehicles offered by the Isuzu Ute brand alongside the D-Max utility with which it shares the same chassis and numerous other components.
MU-X has been a major success in Australia. Sitting on the same platform as the brand’s D-MAX utility it’s currently sitting in second place behind Ford Everest and well ahead of other ute-based rivals such as Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Toyota Fortuner.
Originally powered exclusively by a 3.0-litre, four-cylinder, common-rail turbo-diesel engine, a 2024 upgrade to both MU-X and D-Max added the option of a 1.9-litre, turbo-diesel unit.
The smaller engine proved to be short-lived and it was replaced in mid-2025 by a new 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine that provided greater power and torque outputs, lower emissions and greater towing capacity.
At the same time the chassis and suspension were upgraded along with technical and safety improvements.
A new flagship MU-X model called X-Terrain was added with the MY2025 update, joining the existing three variants: LS-M, LS-U and LS-T. The entry level LS-M is available with either two- or four-wheel drive. All others are 4×4 only.
Our test vehicle here was the X-Terrain. We’ll get into one of the 2.2-litre models early next year.
STYLING
MU-X is a good-looking vehicle that’s aimed at those looking for an attractive vehicle that’s going to appeal to family buyers looking for something that’s more than an upmarket station wagon.
The bonnet is tall and slopes down at the outer edges. The windscreen has a practical, relatively upright slope in that it doesn’t reach too far back and therefore keeps the sun off the driver and front passenger.
The roof stretches back so that it provides a tall load area, again adding to the practical nature of this vehicle.
Two new exterior colours have been added to the MY2025 MU-X with Neptune Blue and Slate Grey joining the previous six. Our test X-Terrain came with the exclusive Slate Grey.
X-Terrain adds XT badging, black radiator grille, fender flares and 20-inch gloss black alloy wheels, lower body side skirts and highway-terrain tyres.
INTERIOR
Inside, MU-X has an upmarket look as it’s aimed at those who want a quality family vehicle not simply an off-road machine.
There’s excellent interior space for all occupants in each dimension with tumbling second-row seats making passenger access to the third-row reasonably easy.
X-Terrain gets leather accented seats with red stitching, red ambient interior lighting and a 360-degree surround view monitor.
There are cup holders in all three rows, 12 in total as well as 18 storage options.
Boot space with the third-row seats folded is 1119 litres, dropping down to a reasonable 311 litres with all seven seats in place.
All models come with full size spare wheels, all bolted beneath the rear of the vehicle.
Steel in the LS-M and LS-U, alloy in the LS-T and X-Terrain.
INFOTAINMENT
The LS-M variant comes with a seven-inch colour touchscreen and four-speaker audio.
Others get a nine-inch screen and eight JVC Kenwood speakers.
Likewise, LS-M comes with a smaller (4.2-inch) driver’s instrument display compared with the 7.0-inch screen in LS-U, LS-T and X-Terrain. In bright sunshine we struggled to read the screen with light bouncing off it.
Fortunately, there are two physical controls for the audio and some toggles below the screen to adjust the air con settings.
Embedded satellite navigation is only included above the LS-M Connectivity is by way of wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
ENGINES/TRANSMISSIONS
The 3.0-litre four-cylinder common-rail turbo-diesel engine has maximum power of 140 kW and peak torque of 450 Nm from 1600 rpm. Transmission is through a six-speed Aisin automatic.
The new 2.2-litre drops to 120kW and 400Nm but gets an Aisin eight-speed auto transmission.
SAFETY
The Isuzu Ute MU-X gained a five-star safety when tested in September 2022. The subsequent upgrades in the past two years have added numerous extra features as required by ANCAP to maintain the maximum score.
Standard safety features across the MU-X range start with eight airbags including front centre and driver’s knee protection together with the mandatory stability and traction control and autonomous emergency braking.
Isuzu’s Intelligent Driver Assist adds forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control with engine stop/start, traffic sign recognition, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, emergency lane keeping, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and braking and trailer sway control.
There’s also hill start assist and descent control, roll-over mitigation, post-collision braking, forward collision warning, mis-acceleration mitigation, intelligent speed limiter, driver inattention assist, rear cross traffic alert and ISOFIX child seat anchors in the outer centre-row seats.
Rear parking sensors are standard in all variants but only the LS-U and above get front sensors. LS-T and X-Terrain also come with a 360-degree surround view camera.
DRIVING
With its 235mm ground clearance, getting into and out of the MU-X X-Terrain can be challenging especially for occupants at opposite ends of the age range. Black sidesteps and grab handles at all doors do help.
As is the norm nowadays there are numerous safety settings that are accessed through the touchscreen. They are nowhere near as intrusive as many other, mainly Chinese vehicles, and can be turned off reasonably easily.
As is often the way with turbo-diesels MU-X it’s a bit sluggish off the mark but once it gains momentum it responds quickly. There’s strong mid-range torque delivering plenty of pulling power.
Steering is on the light side, making low-speed manoeuvrers easier and providing good feedback.
The vehicle turns in nicely and holds the path chosen by the driver without the need for small changes to keep it on the chosen path.
Keep in mind that you’re driving a 4WD not a passenger car but it is excellent in the way that it responds to road conditions.
The MU-X range is covered by Isuzu’s unusual six-year/150,000km warranty – most of its rivals have five years and unlimited distance. It does have capped price servicing and up to seven years roadside assistance.
Fuel consumption with the X-Terrain as listed at 7.8 litres per 100 kilometres. We didn’t spend much time off-road and averaged just under 9.0 L/100 km. Pretty good for such a relatively large vehicle.
SUMMING UP
Isuzu’s stock-in-trade diesel power and genuine off-road ability have drawn consistently high sales numbers to the MU-X throughout the six years that it has been on the Australian market.
It’s well-priced, powerful and versatile, combining large and comfortable family transport with genuine off-road capability.
We have one in our family that spends most of its time either transporting children around or using its 3500kg towing capacity to comfortably pull a double horse float.
RATINGS
Looks: 8/10
Performance: 8/10
Safety: 8/10
Thirst: 7/10
Practicality: 8/10
Comfort: 7/10
Tech: 8/10
Value: 7/10
