Facelift Isuzu MU-X keener than ever to match Fortuner and Everest

The recipient of a mid-life revision in Australia last year, Isuzu South Africa officially detailed the facelift MU-X earlier on Thursday with not only more features, but also a pair of new derivatives highlighted by a more affordable entry-level model.

Likely to be joined at a later by the locally built D-Max that also underwent a mid-life update Down Under last year, the fresh-faced MU-X debuts as the first model under Isuzu South Africa’s new “Be Bold, Do More” market strategy is says builds further on its current “with you for the long run” slogan.

Unfairly looked over

In this regard, the Toyota Fortuner, Ford Everest and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport-rivalling MU-X that premiered globally in 2020, now comprises a line-up of six models thanks to the inclusion of the 1.9-litre 4JK1-TCX BluePower turbodiesel engine, and a new four-wheel-drive version of the mid-range LSE.

Consistently the second best-selling bakkie-based SUV behind the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado in Australia, but surprisingly languishing well behind the Fortuner and Everest in South Africa with monthly sales still battling to reach three digits in some months, the expansion of the MU-X range hasn’t affected the trim level structure made up of the base LS, the mentioned LSE and the flagship Onyx.

What has changed?

Aesthetically though, Isuzu has slightly altered the MU-X’s grille, revised the bumper and fog lamp bezels, and replaced the Tungsten Silver accents with chrome embellishments.

A new addition is the Magnetite Grey finish carried over from the Australian model on both the grille, bumper, fog light bezels, roof rails and side-steps.

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Down the side, the Onyx receives newly designed machined 20-inch alloy wheels, while the LSE keeps hold of its 18-inch wheels.

As a result of customer demand though, the LS now also benefits from 18-inch alloys in place of the previous 17-inches items.

Rounding the exterior off are darkened rear combination light clusters and a redesigned bumper, also with Magnetite Grey detailing.

On the colour front, the previous eight colour chart prevails, but without Santos Brown that departs in favour of the new Norwegian Blue. Carried over is Splash White, Onyx Black, Mercury Silver, Dolomite White, Obsidian Grey, Sapphire Blue and Red Spinel.

More spec, more comfort

Inside, the overall design and look of the interior is again untouched, but now with leather upholstery standard across the entire range, along with Magnetite Grey detailing on the dashboard, and electric seats with improved cushions for better support and comfort.

Model-wise, the LS now come as standard with front and rear parking sensors and joins the LSE in being the added recipient of privacy glass.

New items for the latter include an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and paddle shifters, as well as remote engine start the Onyx also brandishes.

Grade structure

Elsewhere, standard specification on the LS consists of a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, follow-me-home, auto-levelling bi-LED headlights, a six-speaker sound system, reverse camera, plus the following:

• LED daytime running lights;
• leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel;
• electric windows and mirrors;
• cruise control;
• rain sense wipers;
• rear air-conditioning vents
• front and rear USB ports;
• Brake Override Accelerator Control;
• Hill Start Assist;
• Trailer Sway Control;
• Hill Descent Control;
• Electronic Stability Control

On the LSE, a new step sensor activated electric tailgate, walkway locking doors and tyre pressure monitor joins a specification sheet already inclusive of the bigger nine-inch touchscreen display, an eight-speaker sound system, folding and heated electric mirrors, dual-zone climate control, Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

Finally, the Onyx receives a deactivation function for the Lane Keep Assist based on customer demand finding the system to aggressive when switched-on.

The rest of the spec sheet is unaltered and comprises heated front seats, ambient lighting, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, a front-viewing camera, Auto High Beam Assist and Forward Collision Warning, as well as Lane Departure Warning, Pedal Misapplication Mitigation and Driver Attention Monitor.

New powerunit and more grip

As mentioned, six models now form part of the MU-X range commencing with the small capacity 1.9-litre engine available in the D-Max, albeit without the BluePower label used in Thailand.

Only available on the LS, and due to arrive in the second or third quarter of this year, the unit delivers 110kW/350Nm that goes to the rear wheels only through a six-speed automatic gearbox.

Next-up, the optional oil-burner for the LS but standard powerplant for the LSE and Onyx is the N-series truck derived 4JJ3-TCX 3.0-litre turbodiesel that carries the DDI designation instead of D-TEQ.

Developing 140kW/450Nm, it is also paired to a six-speed automatic ‘box, but in the case of the LSE, fed to all four wheels for the first. Until now, only the LS and Onyx had access to four-wheel-drive.

Regardless of the drive wheels, all MU-X models have a claimed ground clearance of 235 mm, a rear diff-lock, wading depth of 800 mm and a braked trailer towing capacity of 3 500 kg. The claimed breakover angle is 24-degrees, the approach angle 30-degrees and the departure angle 26-degrees.

The drive

In the absence of the 1.9-litre LS, the brief escapade at the official launch in Johannesburg saw the new four-wheel-drive LSE being utilised.

Noticeably more comfortable than the Onyx road tested last year, most likely as a result of the lower profile wheels, the short bout came with a few surprises, most notably the automatic gearbox being less prone to hunting despite not having received any software changes or revised ratios.

In typical Isuzu fashion, the 3.0-litre oil-burner emits a raucous diesel soundtrack and while still saddled with a strained engine note above 3 000 rpm, pulls strong from low-down while quietening down at the national limit.

A big plus are the new seat cushions as well as the mentioned paddle shifters that helped offset the engine’s revving foibles to an extent.

While a more in-depth road test is expected soon, the brief encounter still highlighted the MU-X as being a worthwhile alternative to the Fortuner and Everest unfairly looked over.

Price

As before, all MU-X modes are covered by a five-year/120 000 km warranty as well as a five-year/90 000 km service plan.

• MU-X 1.9 DDI LS AT – TBA
• MU-X 3.0 DDI LS AT – R784 300
• MU-X 3.0 DDI LS 4×4 AT – R867 600
• MU-X 3.0 DDI LSE AT – R826 200
• MU-X 3.0 DDI LSE 4×4 AT – R909 500
• MU-X 3.0 DDI Onyx 4×4 AT – R928 100

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