Discovers how good family life can be with Australia’s best-selling ute-based seven-seater SUV in this Isuzu MU-X 2018 Review with the team from Motoring Australia.
If you think you’ve seen a lot of Isuzu MU-Xs on the road lately, both in town and in the country, you’d be right. This was Australia’s top selling ute-based seven seater SUV in 2017.
So what’s made the MU-X such a hit with the adventurous side of the Aussie motoring public? Let’s jump in and find out.
Isuzu ute shifted over 8,000 examples of the MU-X last year putting it well ahead of direct rivals like the Toyota Fortuner, Holden Trailblazer and Ford Everest.
The brand might only have two basic models for D-Max ute and its sibling MU-X SUV, but since its arrival down under in 2008, the Isuzu ute has earned a solid reputation for building rugged and reliable vehicles, if a little basic. Well perhaps the term basic is a little unfair when it comes to our test vehicle which is Isuzu’s top spec LS terrain version of the MU-X 4×4.
With keyless entry, push-button starting an 8-inch multimedia touchscreen, sat-nav, a 10-inch drop-down movie screen that comes out of the head lining in the back that the kids, in particular, will love.
It’s anything but spartan, but it’s when you blend the MU-X LSTs amenities with its workhorse credentials that this SUV really stacks up as a do-the-lot, family-friendly proposition.
The rugged 3 litre four-cylinder turbo diesel is a little raucous but it’s originally derived from a truck engine and it feeds lazy, effortless grunt through the 6-speed auto for easy progress both on the highway or in the bush.
Then there’s the 3 ton brake towing limit which will make light work of towing a wide range of boats caravans and campers and let’s not forget the near 600 kilo payload.
With plenty of space for the whole family, roof rails as standard and nearly 880 litres of luggage space with the third row seating folded flat, there’s ample room for all the gear that goes along with typical Aussie outdoor adventures.
When those adventures take you off the bitumen, a dual range transfer case, under-body protection and 230mm of ground clearance means this 4×4 MU-X has all the ability you’ll need to get to where you’re going.
Add in the five star ANCAP safety rating, the factory five year or 130,000 kilometre warranty, roadside assistance and cap-price servicing and Isuzu’s MU-X holds as much appeal for the family finances as it does for outdoor loving families in general.