Isuzu MU-X LS-T 4x4 new car review

In terms of car brands that punch above their weight, Isuzu is somewhere towards the pointy end. Despite a diminutive model range – there's only the D-Max ute and the MU-X SUV – the brand posts some impressive sales figures.

The MU-X is one that performs impressively; while the Toyota Prado clearly leads the field, recent sales figures show the Isuzu is second among the SUVs designed for serious off-roading. So far this year it's neck and neck with the once dominant Jeep Grand Cherokee.

We haven't looked at the MU-X for a couple of years. The last time we did we were critical of its on-road credentials; like all off-roaders, it's compromised.

Since then we've taken the MU-X on an extensive off-road trek through Western Australia. Our test route began in Perth and ended on Cable Beach at Broome, taking in the rugged Canning Stock Route and the picturesque Kimberley along the way.

What do you get?

It's all about value with the MU-X, which goes up against everything from the Prado and Drive Car of the Year-winning Ford Everest to the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Toyota Fortuner. The recently arrived Holden Trailblazer (an update of the underwhelming Colorado7) is arguably now the Isuzu's toughest competition, mainly because it packs plenty in for the money, something that's important when you're working a car hard in remote areas.

The MU-X has plenty of gear for the $54,000 price tag of this top-of-the-range LS-T model. Deals mean you can pick one up for closer to $50,000 drive-away and if you're not planning to go off-road then the two-wheel drive model sells for $46,700, or thousands less with drive-away deals.

The leather seats (with electric driver's adjustment) are a win when dust is prevalent, while the rear DVD screen helps keep kids content. Smart key entry is less beneficial, although push button start is handy. A reversing camera (it easily gets dirty) and alloy wheels are also part of the deal.

A five-year, 130,000km warranty is a plus and there's roadside assistance (although, like most, assistance on off-road tracks costs extra).

What's inside?

It's more about functionality and practicality than the latest in style inside the MU-X. The plastics, for example, are hard, which cheapens the looks and feel. There are efforts to spruce it up, such as the occasional chrome touch and some silver hues, but on the whole it's starting to show its age.

On our trip it quickly accumulated a layer of dust, something easily wiped clean.

Yet it all works well enough. The ventilation system is dominated by the large control knob to adjust the temperature (it's a single-zone system versus the dual-zone setups in some rivals), making it easy to grasp over bumps and thumps. And the covered storage pod on top of the dash is ideal for maps and other items that might otherwise want to fly around the cabin; along with two gloveboxes and other binnacles it makes for decent in-cabin storage.

The front seats could do with more lateral support, but they're generally comfortable, making for easy long distance touring. Like many rivals, there's no reach adjustment to the steering, although the high seating position – which ensures good vision – makes it less of an issue than it could be.

The MU-X is relatively large, too, so there's great rear seat space for those planning to travel with a family.

Air vents in the roof feed air aft and there's even a separate control to adjust the flow. The fold down arm rest with integrated cupholders also provides a natural barrier for two-kid families.

Under the bonnet

The Isuzu's 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel is an honest and proven unit, but one that doesn't break any boundaries with its peak outputs.

The 130kW of power, for example, is nothing astonishing, although performance is helped by a body that is lighter than most rivals. At 2075kg the MU-X is still a chunky machine, but 100 or more kilos lighter than key competitors.

While its 380m of torque is well below the peaks of many rivals, the reality is it's easily accessible – and, again, helped by that lighter body. Below 2000rpm, then, it feels solid and responsive, with decent pull.

It matches class leaders with its 3000kg tow capacity, something the engine should work well with.

Much of our driving was done at low speeds, where the five-speed automatic is less of an issue (rivals have six or more ratios, which makes for more relaxed high speed cruising).

Indeed the MU-X's hearty diesel works well ambling over rocks and creek crossings, while effortlessly building pace for the bursts in between the Canning Stock Route's rougher sections. Climbing sand dunes, too, is done easily thanks to that easily accessible torque.

One of the more impressive attributes in off-road driving, though, was the MU-X's fuel use. The official rating is 8.3 litres per 100km, which is towards the lower end of the scale among rivals, but not the lowest. And while you won't get near that in soft sand and gravel – especially when loaded with a few hundred kilos or gear – the 11.4L/100km it did use was more than acceptable, and ensured decent range from the 65-litre fuel tank.

On the road

For this trip most of our time was spent on gravel – and, often, poorly maintained gravel than included mud, rocks and sand. That said, the start of the trip involved a cruise along 110km/h highways, something that shows up some of its less impressive attributes. The steering, for example, is vague, and it'll lean through tight corners.

But tipping on to the dirt brings a newfound respect for the MU-X. Its 17-inch tyres are well suited to rougher terrain, with a high-ish profile adding some compliance over bumps. Combined with good suspension travel it makes for easy touring on poor surfaces.

The steering, too, is much less of an issue in the rough stuff and the MU-X is easy to manoeuvre.

The MU-X runs a part-time four-wheel drive system (it doesn't have a centre differential). That means you need to wait till you're on a loose surface to engage all four wheels. But it's an easy process done at the twirl of a switch.

Combined with a decent traction control system the MU-X easily trudges up sand dunes and is a capable companion, even without the rear diff lock common on rivals. In some ways the MU-X seems to relish the challenge of more rugged terrain, something helped by its solid 230mm of ground clearance.

Plus, it capably fends off bigger bumps at higher speeds (40km/h-plus), quickly settling and preparing for the next. Corrugations will have things shaking around inside, but the suspension (and tyres) deal with them well enough.

Verdict

It's easy to see the appeal of the MU-X – especially if you plan to take it off-road. There are still on-road compromises (as with any off-roader) but the rugged construction and capable mechanicals ensure it's a faithful and comfortable companion in more challenging conditions. Throw in solid value in a proven package and it makes for a basic but honest outback tourer.

2016 Isuzu MU-X LS-T 4x4 pricing and specifications

Price: $54,000, plus on-road and dealer costs

Engine: 3.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo diesel

Power: 130kW at 3600rpm

Torque: 380Nm at 1800-2800rpm

Transmission: Five-speed automatic, four-wheel-drive

Fuel use: 8.3L/100km

The Competitors

Ford Everest Ambiente AWD

Price: $54,990

Engine: 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo diesel

Power: 143kW

Torque: 470Nm

Transmission: Six-speed auto, AWD

Fuel use: 8.5L/100km

Our score: 6.5/10

Holden Trailblazer

Price: $52,490

Engine: 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel

Power: 147kW

Torque: 500Nm

Transmission: Six-speed auto, 4WD

Fuel use: 8.6L/100km

Our score: Not yet rated

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Exceed

Price: $52,750

Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel

Power: 133kW

Torque: 430Nm

Transmission: Eight-speed auto; 4WD

Fuel use: 8.0L/100km

Our score: 5.5/10

• For all the latest information, visit our Isuzu showroom.