- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 7 seats
- Engine
1.9DT, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
110kW, 350Nm
- Fuel
Diesel 7.4L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4XD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
6 Yr, 150000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2022)
2024 Isuzu MU-X LS-M 1.9L 4×4: Australian first drive
Off-road specialist Isuzu has added a downsized engine to its seven-seat SUV range, but is it up to the task?
- Plenty of space in all three rows
- Proven off-road ability
- More fuel-efficient than 3.0-litre
- No changes to infotainment, wired Android Auto still
- Lack of sliding second row
- Engine lacks overtaking grunt
2024 Isuzu MU-X LS-M 1.9L 4x4
Isuzu manages to do a lot with a little. Though the brand only has two models to sell in Australia, it was one of the top-10 selling brands locally in 2023. While a lot of the attention (and sales) is focused on the brilliant D-Max utility, which has just undergone a midlife facelift, the Isuzu MU-X seven-seat off-road SUV is the other part of the brand’s one-two punch.
While it doesn’t get the same headline-grabbing styling and technology upgrades afforded to the facelifted D-Max ute, Isuzu has expanded the selection of engines under the MU-X's bonnet for the 2024 model year.
This now means buyers can select the 1.9-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine (already an option on the D-Max) on some grades of the MU-X seven-seat SUV. Not only does it make the model more affordable (with a smaller, less powerful engine under the bonnet), but it’s said to bring about real fuel savings over the regular 3.0-litre alternative.
Drive flew to Isuzu Ute Australia’s home state of Queensland to check out the 2024 Isuzu MU-X with its new 1.9-litre engine option. The variant we spent the most time in was the entry-level MU-X LS-M 1.9L 4x4. This is a quick review focusing primarily on the engine, but please head to one of our recent full-length reviews to learn more.
Key details | 2024 Isuzu MU-X LS-M 1.9L 4x4 |
Price | $53,400 before on-road costs |
Colour of test car | Mineral White |
Options | None |
Price as tested | $53,400 before on-road costs |
Rivals | Mitsubishi Pajero Sport | Toyota Fortuner | Ford Everest |
It might sound like a downgrade, giving up Isuzu’s adored 3.0-litre engine and its strong 140kW/450Nm outputs, but there are distinct benefits to choosing the smaller 1.9-litre engine.
The smaller engine is 80kg lighter than the 3.0-litre unit, which means the MU-X LS-M 1.9L 4x4 has a greater 735kg payload. It’s also more frugal on fuel, with Isuzu claiming the 4x4 and 4x2 configurations consume 7.4 litres per 100 kilometres on a mixed driving cycle. It represents a fuel saving of around 12 per cent compared to the 3.0-litre alternative – particularly important given how expensive diesel is these days.
For a large off-road SUV without hybrid assistance, that’s pretty decent fuel economy – its rivals such as the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, LDV D90 and Ssangyong Rexton aren’t so economical, although the 2.0-litre Ford Everest still undercuts the Isuzu on claimed consumption.
The major benefit is the fact the smaller engine reduces the cost of entry into a seven-seat MU-X. Buyers can have the 1.9-litre engine option on three variants, starting with the $47,400 MU-X LS-M 1.9 4x2 (before on-road costs), which is $2000 more affordable than the same car with a 3.0-litre engine.
From there, buyers can step up to the MU-X LS-M 1.9L 4x4 variant or the MU-X LS-U 1.9L 4x4. These cost $53,400 and $59,900 before on-road costs respectively.
Given our test car was LS-M 1.9L 4x4 specification, it was kitted with six-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels, cloth upholstery, a polyurethane steering wheel, a 7.0-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay (wireless and wired) and Android Auto (wired), as well as an electric parking brake.
All MU-X variants come equipped with active safety items such as adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, autonomous emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, and trailer sway control.
2024 Isuzu MU-X LS-M 1.9L 4x4 | |
ANCAP rating | Five stars (tested 2022) |
Safety report | Link to ANCAP report |
They also come with eight airbags throughout the cabin, including curtain airbags that extend to the third row.
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The Isuzu MU-X carries a five-star safety rating refreshed in September 2022. This test is based on crash test data from the structurally similar D-Max.
Inside the cabin, there are minimal bits and pieces to get excited about – though it remains a very functional space.
It is a bit of a shock to see a polyurethane steering wheel and gear selector, manual air-conditioning controls, and a small 7.0-inch infotainment unit. But consider the entry-level price and the lacklustre materials are quickly forgotten.
As you move up through the range you add features like leather trim, climate control, heated front seats, and larger infotainment.
There’s good storage around the centre console – two cupholders, a decent lidded storage bin, a slot under the dash for your phone and keys, and a two-tier storage cubby in the dash (in front of the passenger).
Controls for the part-time four-wheel-drive system are handily placed around the centre console hub, plus there are individual buttons for the Rough Terrain Mode, rear differential lock, auto hold function, and hill descent control. It’s great that these systems remain with physical controls rather than being buried in the infotainment (like with some other manufacturers’ off-road products).
The infotainment is basic – I’ve always gravitated towards using Apple CarPlay in Isuzu cars – but it’s very easy to control.
Second-row space is commodious enough for my tall 194cm frame, while amenities extend to dual USB ports, map pockets, air vents, and a fold-down centre armrest.
2024 Isuzu MU-X LS-M 1.9L 4x4 | |
Seats | Seven |
Boot volume | 311L to third row 1119L to second row 2138L to first row |
Length | 4850mm |
Width | 1870mm |
Height | 1815mm |
Wheelbase | 2855mm |
There’s a surprising amount of room once you’re inside the third row. I was more than comfortable considering the second-row seat base doesn’t slide on rails (to afford extra leg space). The third row is also serviced by cupholders and air vents.
I wish the action to move the second row out of the way to get out again was a tilt-and-slide rather than a clumsy tumble forward – it’s pretty heavy to shift out of the way, and I can imagine it being tricky for kids to enter the third row.
Isuzu says boot space starts at 311 litres behind the third row, 1119L with the second row folded, and finally 2138L of space with all seats down.
At launch, we had the chance to take the Isuzu MU-X 1.9L 4x4 off-road. The most intriguing part of the exercises was taking the seven-seat SUV over mogul-type mounds and undulations where I found the car not only had brilliant approach (28.6 degrees) and departure (27.6 degrees) angles, but the traction-control system was fantastic.
The Rough Terrain Mode ensured the engine didn’t work too hard to spin the wheels in order to find purchase on the gravel, and the car kept its pace slow but sturdy over tricky terrain.
Note, off-road fuel use at this point was a high 19.8L/100km, though you can always expect off-roading to blow out fuel consumption data. Especially when tyre pressures are lowered and low-range gearing is engaged.
Thankfully that consumption came way back down when I hit the bitumen – 8.2L/100km for the short time I spent behind the wheel. You could expect that figure to come down even further with more kilometres on the odometer as the engine wears in.
Key details | 2024 Isuzu MU-X LS-M 1.9L 4x4 |
Engine | 1.9-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel |
Power | 110kW @ 3600rpm |
Torque | 350Nm @ 1800–2600rpm |
Drive type | Part-time four-wheel drive |
Transmission | 6-speed torque converter automatic |
Power-to-weight ratio | 51.5kW/t |
Weight (kerb) | 2135kg |
Payload | 735kg |
Tow rating | 3000kg braked 750kg unbraked |
Turning circle | 11.4m |
On-road, the smaller engine feels noticeably weaker than the 3.0-litre unit we’re used to under the MU-X’s bonnet.
With four people on board and luggage, the six-speed transmission hunts for the right gear often, attempting to provide the right amount of torque to match throttle inputs. It labours over shifts more and must work the gearbox more often to find the right power band.
The lack of torque is especially noticeable going uphill. While it might have enough shove to move off from a standstill without fuss, it quickly runs out of puff at high RPM. For reference, peak 110kW power output is online at 3600rpm.
It’s not a dire lack of power, the MU-X is still capable of being family transport, but it is noticeably down on shove compared to the 3.0-litre diesel.
As with the 3.0-litre version, this new 1.9-litre does send a fair few driveline noises into the cabin, which isn't the nicest experience for a seven-seat SUV.
The suspension and steering efforts are largely comfortable and light respectively, but we’ll have more time to explore how the MU-X fares around town when we get the car through for a week-long review.
For the 2024 model year, Isuzu has issued five same-priced $449 services for the first five visits, matching the five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty.
Adding the 1.9-litre engine option under the MU-X’s bonnet is a welcome expansion of choice and brings down the price of entry to a popular seven-seat SUV. In my time with the car, I found it to be a capable engine for most duties, but compared to the bigger 3.0-litre engine, it does feel somewhat underdone.
We’ll have more time to evaluate the 1.9-litre engine option for the MU-X in the months ahead, but unless the car is destined for solely around-town use, spending $2000 extra on the 3.0L isn’t the worst idea.