Isuzu mu-X

Overview

The Isuzu mu-X was first introduced in the Philippines back in 2014 and was an instant hit in the domestic market. Of course, the fact that it was a midsize SUV with a 7-seater layout did help the cause. It was a worthy replacement for the Alterra and filled in the shoes quite comfortably.

At the time of the launch, the SUV was only available in the 2.5-litre engine guise. However, a year later, the powerful 3.0-litre engine trims were introduced, which eventually got the sales to rocket high. Just a year back, in 2017, in a quest of wooing the customers with an above par fuel-efficiency, the company introduced a new 1.9-litre trim which was more powerful than the 2.5-litre but still offered a better fuel efficiency.

The Isuzu mu-X, in the Philippines automobile industry, competes against the likes of the popular Toyota Fortuner, Ford Everest, etc, albeit the more affordable option.

Interior & Features

Isuzu has managed to spice up the new mu-X by making the interior to be more upmarket. The cabin is finished in the piano black finish and all the touchable sides, including the dashboard, have been given soft-touch plastic as opposed to the hard ones on the previous model. On the dashboard, the plastics and other switch gears are given a premium touch.

On the dashboard, there is an 8-inch touchscreen, Audio-Video display with a Navigation system and can be connected via USB and Wi-Fi. Plus, the comfort inside is always top-notch with automatic climate control doing the shifts here. Apart from just the 8-inch touchscreen panel on the dash, there is another large 10-inch DVD monitor display mounted on the roof so that the passengers do not suffer boredom on long trips.

There are some premium touches on the cabin, including a leather-wrapped steering wheel with good quality stitches and audio control buttons. There are headrests for all the seats, including the third row. There is a total of six speakers including two tweeters. The rear row is 50:50 foldable, which can increase boot space by a significant margin.

Exterior

The 2018 Isuzu mu-X is one of the most sharply designed midsize SUVs in the Philippines. All the profiles are beefy and pleasing to the eye. Up at the front, there are many new things that make it look attractive, like the addition of new headlamps cluster with LED projector lights and well-integrated DRLs. The grille has a lot of chrome embellishment on it and imparts a lot of sheen to it.

Lower down, the fog lamps are well-placed in a pool of cladding and have the air intake adjacent to it. The wheel arches are chubby and house large 18-inch wheels. However, the base variant of the 1.9-litre variant rides on 16-inch units. The ORVMs (outside rear view mirrors) and door handles are dipped in chrome, barring the base variant, which only gets material black units. The rear gets LED positioning lights.

The roof rails are not very huge and have a capacity of 60 kgs. The tailgate can be electronically opened and lifted. The styling isn’t very curvy or edgy to be burning the eyes but is more likely to be pleasing, much like the latest iteration of the Toyota Fortuner.

Engine & Fuel Consumption

Isuzu has been extremely generous in offering the 2018 mu-X in a total of three engine trims. The SUV was initially introduced with a 2.5-litre, four-cylinder engine, which is a very modest one. It is capable of making 134 hp power at just 3,400 rpm along with a peak torque of 320 Nm at 2,800 rpm. The power is sent down to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual gearbox.

Just a year later, the most powerful 3.0-litre, four-cylinder engine was introduced. This engine is very much capable of making a maximum power of 175 hp at 3,550 rpm and a peak torque of 380 Nm, which comes at just 1,800 rpm. As for the transmission, this engine trim has a 6-speed automatic transmission option only. However, it is available in both AWD (4x4) and RWD (4x2) drivetrains.

The latest engine offered in the Isuzu mu-X was introduced in 2017 and is quoted to be the most fuel-efficient variant in the lineup. The 1.9-litre diesel engine is more powerful than the 2.5-litre motor and can put out a maximum power of 150 hp at 3,600 rpm and a peak torque of 350 Nm at 1,800 rpm. The transmission duties are done either by a 6-speed manual with gear indicator or a 6-speed automatic with sequential shifts. However, all-wheel-drive is not offered in this trim even as an option.

The engines that power the 2018 Isuzu mu-X are quite powerful and smooth on the accelerator. The company introduced the 1.9-litre model claiming that it was an extremely efficient car and has very less audible engine noise.

Braking & Safety

The Isuzu mu-X is not only powerful and pleasurable for the driver, it is safe for the occupants as well. The primary fact about the SUV is that it has a sturdy build on the outside along with steel or resin skid plates. On the inside, it is equipped with quite a lot of safety features. There is an airbag each for the driver and the front passenger and seat belts for all the seven occupants.

The braking is handled by ABS along with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist. Some other electronics include a day and night-type rear view mirror, Anti-Theft Alarm System, and Vehicle Immobiliser. Reverse parking sensors and camera are added for the convenience of the driver.

Other driver’s convenience features include both Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control. Apart from just the cruise control, ESC (electronic stability control) and Traction Control System are also added, in case you want to cruise on the highway at a high speed.