Isuzu MU-X - Mountain Mover
4x4 Magazine Australia|September 2110
It’s more expensive, but is the 2021 Isuzu Mu-X a better 4X4 than the model it replaces?
Evan Spence
Isuzu MU-X - Mountain Mover

The Isuzu MU-X has long been an endearing vehicle in the Australian 4WD landscape. Simple, reliable and fairly affordable for larger families needing extra seats as well as those who enjoy towing small houses on wheels. And while some have described the MU-X as agricultural, with a loud diesel engine and few modern luxuries, there is an argument from the other camp that a simple four-wheel drive is a good four-wheel drive. Hence its popularity with families and nomads.

Well, we are now saying goodbye to an old friend, and hello to an all-new generation of MU-X in 2021. And when I say all-new, I really mean it. This vehicle has been redesigned from the chassis up, with every major component being upgraded along the way. We’re talking more safety, more power, more off-road ability and a stronger driveline. And while that’s all well and good on paper, the big question is, what is it actually like to drive?

We set out on a mixed loop of highway, urban, rural and off-road conditions to really put this mid-sped LS-U MU-X through its paces over the space of two weeks, and the verdict? C’mon now, I’m not going to give that away so early in the piece.

POWERTRAIN & PERFORMANCE

THE powertrain in this 2021 model has been borrowed from the current model Isuzu D-MAX and you won’t hear me complain about that. The 3.0L 4JJ3-TCX engine is revered around campsites for its strong work ethic and reliability. It pulls well too, despite only having 450Nm and 140kW to its name. Don’t get too bogged down with those numbers though, as the way this engine makes power is low down and rock solid. It feels like it could tow a mountain up another mountain.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM 4X4 MAGAZINE AUSTRALIAView all
CORRUGATIONS.SAND, AND SPINIFEX
4x4 Magazine Australia

CORRUGATIONS.SAND, AND SPINIFEX

WHEN TALKING LEGENDARY TRACKS, THE CANNING STOCK ROUTE HAS THE TITLE OF LONGEST HISTORICAL STOCK ROUTE IN THE WORLD, BUT TACKLING ITS 1850KM IN A 1970S LAND ROVER MAKES FOR ONE INTERESTING DRIVE FOR THE TV CREW FROM SERIOUSLY SERIES. YOU CAN SEE FOR YOURSELF BY VIEWING ROAD TO RUIN

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
PURE WATER
4x4 Magazine Australia

PURE WATER

THE GUZZLE H2O STREAM IS THE IDEAL WATER PURIFICATION SOLUTION FOR PROVIDING A RELIABLE SOURCE OF CLEAN DRINKING WATER OFF THE GRID

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
DOES IT GET ANY TOUGHER FOR THE AT52S?
4x4 Magazine Australia

DOES IT GET ANY TOUGHER FOR THE AT52S?

HAVING TACKLED SOME OF THE ROUGHEST TRACKS IN THE COUNTRY, THESE ALL-TERRAINS HAVE PASSED THE TEST

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
TOP 5 4X4 SPOTS IN SA
4x4 Magazine Australia

TOP 5 4X4 SPOTS IN SA

HERE ARE FIVE OF THE BEST 4X4 DESTINATIONS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 2024
PLUGGING IN
4x4 Magazine Australia

PLUGGING IN

GWM IS STUDYING THE VIABILITY OF PLUG-IN HYBRID VERSIONS OF ITS POPULAR 4X4S FOR THE AUSTRALIAN MARKET. WE GOT A CHANCE TO SAMPLE THEM ON TRACK

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
TOP TANK
4x4 Magazine Australia

TOP TANK

WE HAVE COME AWAY IMPRESSED AFTER A WEEK IN GWM’S TANK 500 HYBRID 4X4.

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2024
HARD EARNED
4x4 Magazine Australia

HARD EARNED

HARD WORK AND THE RIGHT ADVICE HAVE HELPED JAMES ATKINSON BUILD THE PATROL OF HIS DREAMS

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
DYNAMIC DEBUT
4x4 Magazine Australia

DYNAMIC DEBUT

OUR FIRST TASTE OF THE LC250 COMES IN THE FORM OF THE LEXUS GX550 OVERTRAIL, AND THIS LUXURY 4X4 WAGON IMPRESSES BOTH ON THE ROAD AND OFF IT

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2024
BLACK GROWLER
4x4 Magazine Australia

BLACK GROWLER

IF YOU’RE GOING TO SWAP FROM A DOUBLE-CAB UTE TO A 4X4 WAGON, YOU MIGHT AS WELL GO WITH THE BEST AVAILABLE. BRUCE HAS DONE JUST THAT AND EQUIPPED HIS GR SPORT 300 WITH THE BEST GEAR ON THE MARKET

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
2025 NISSAN PATROL MAKES GLOBAL DEBUT
4x4 Magazine Australia

2025 NISSAN PATROL MAKES GLOBAL DEBUT

CURTAINS DROP ON SEVENTH-GENERATION PATROL BUT NOT HERE UNTIL 2026

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024