Mister Practicality: The Isuzu mu-X

Mister Practicality: The Isuzu mu-X

Pros

• Roomy, plush, and comfortable
• Great safety features
• Luxurious interior with enough USB ports

Cons

• Could do with a little more power
• Hard-to-open USB-port covers
• Satnav 'voice' a little irritating

Isuzu's brilliant mu-X is just what the doctor ordered. It's rugged, robust, refined, comfortable, and very much drives like a smaller car. Does this mean you should forget about the Fortuner, though?

Styling

The mu-X looks much like the new KB bakkie, now known as the Isuzu D-MAX, with a bold chrome grille and angular Bi-LED projector headlamps (with auto-levelling functionality), with daytime running lamp 'eyeliner'. While the Trailblazer's behind seemed clumsy and bulbous, Isuzu's designers have managed to make the mu-X's rear end visually sleeker, without sacrificing boot space.

On the inside, the mu-X's interior is identical to that of the new D-MAX: Pliable, soft-touch surfaces that cover parts of the dashboard, and in general a decent quality of plastics used. The front fascia still comprises the Isuzu circular dial surrounded by air-con buttons. The mu-X is issued with a 6.5-inch touchscreen as standard, with a multitude of in-car apps including satnav, but the way in which the 'lady' continuously informs you that you're over the speed limit in an American accent is a bit much. The system also comes with Bluetooth and a DVD player. Satellite buttons for the infotainment system as well as cruise control, can be found on the leather-covered steering wheel.

The mu-X is not available in manual guise and a stylish-looking 6-speed auto gearbox (now also available in the D-MAX) does duty here. A standard rearview camera helps to keep that rear end blemish-free (and people alive). 

Space & Comfort

The D-Max is supremely comfortable, largely thanks to soft leather seats that support driver and passengers in all the right places. Both front seats are electrically adjustable.

The second row boasts ample legroom, and the backrests can recline. (There's even a USB port for the second-row passengers, while front passengers have a total of three USB ports). While the third row isn't overly spacious, adults of average height shouldn't be too uncomfortable on medium-length road-trips. The cupholders in the door cards are a little small for larger water bottles, but fine for cans or standard-size bottles. Air-vents keep even the rearmost passengers cool, and it can be switched on or off by pressing a button placed next to the steering wheel. Tumbling the second row forward is done with ease, as is putting up the third row of seats from the back: pull a cord and up comes the seat. A removable tonneau cover keeps your luggage/equipment away from prying eyes. Typical of seven-seater SUVs, the boot size is quite small with the third row up, but becomes rather massive once they're neatly stowed flat. I much prefer this configuration to the Fortuner's seats that are tethered to the top when folded away, as they tend to squeak when you're driving on a dirt road.

The Drive & Performance

The mu-X feels way more manoeuvrable than the Trailblazer before it. Its soft suspension tackles potholes and speed bumps like an absolute champ, and it has little lean in the corners for such a large, heavy vehicle. It feels stable and planted and not as wallowy to drive as one would expect a vehicle of this ilk to be.

While Isuzu's 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine (130kW/380Nm) is hardly weak or slow, it has a large wagon to pull, so don't expect eye-watering acceleration, but rather strong and steady progress. Its towing capacity is 3000 kg (braked) and 750 kg unbraked. Wading depth is 600mm and ground clearance 230mm. 

Safety

The mu-X is comprehensively specced with safety features: It has ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, stability and traction control, as well as hill-start assist. The bonus feature here is hill-descent control, which assists you when going down a sharp decline. The amount of airbags is 6, and there are Isofix child seat anchorage points on the outer rear seats.

Fuel Consumption

Realistically, an average consumption figure of 10 litres per 100 km isn't bad - it's pretty much what the KB (or D-MAX, rather) will give you in this engine specification.

Price

R568 000 is more-or-less what you'll pay for a large SUV in this segment. For the same money you can consider the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 2.4 D4, R569 995, which is pretty much identical to the mu-X with regards to specification levels. It does have the more advanced 9-speed transmission, though. Then there's also the Fortuner 2.4 GD-6 RB AT at a more pocket-friendly R503 000, but it's a little more stingy with its convenience features. But, safety wise, it doesn't stand back for the other two contenders one bit.

Verdict

The Isuzu is a lovely SUV to drive and live with, and it's much harder to criticize than I initially thought. Isuzus have a reputation of being hardy and long-lasting, and their engines almost bomb-proof. I sincerely hope the mu-X will find a home in many a South African garage. A five-year /120 000 km warranty and roadside assistance package is provided as part of the Isuzu Care Package.

Expert rating: 4 out of 5