Isuzu MU-X vs Holden Colorado 7

Warranty is five years/130,000km but there's no capped price servicing. It has 16-inch alloys, cloth trim, 12V outlets in the cabin and load area, cruise control, bash plates, Bluetooth phone and audio link, leather-wrapped steering wheel, full-size spare, trip computer. Base model gets only mini-USB plug, and lacks side steps. Auto adds $2K

Three-year/100,000km warranty and $295 capped servicing for the first three years or 60,000km, at 15,000km or 9 month intervals. Features include Bluetooth phone and audio link, 16-inch alloys, trip computer, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel, full-size spare (and USB port), 12V outlets for passengers and in cargo bay. It has side steps.

"Proven" drivetrain (translation: old) doesn't do much wrong. The 3.0-litre 4-cyl turbo diesel (130kW/380Nm) is outgunned - torque band is broader than Holden's but there's less of it. Transmissions are five-speed manual or dozy optional five-speed auto returning 8.4L/100km. Tank is 65L. Top-spec LS-T gets touchscreen satnav.

The Holden's 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel (147kW/500Nm) is hooked up to an improved (it wouldn't have been difficult) six-speed auto. Thirst is a claimed 9.2L/100km. MyLink trumps the MU-X for infotainment tech but there is no longer a CD player.

The broad roof-pillar interrupts rear three-quarter vision and there are rear sensors only. The high-riding MU-X is a better-looking bus from the front. The interior is functional though neither materials nor assembly are high-grade. Seat configuration and function are poor. Like the Holden, can become a two-seater load-lugger only with plenty of tools and cursing.

Double-decker snout and vanilla rump aren't the prettiest SUV automotive styling results yet seen. Clearance aplenty, underbody protection and good forward vision but, in common with Isuzu, wide roof-pillar ruins rear three-quarters vision. The cabin is serviceable but the lack of seat configuration versatility annoys.

Five ANCAP stars thanks to stability and traction control, six airbags and anti-lock brakes but there's no hill descent control or limited-slip diff. Isuzu does rear sensors range-wide but the reversing camera is only in the topline model. Tut-tut.

Six airbags, stability and traction control, rear limited-slip diff, anti-lock brakes, hill descent control and trailer sway control are all on the 7's list, enough for it to inherit the ute's 5-star ANCAP rank. Both models also get reversing sensors and rear camera.

Lesser torque is apparent on hilly roads. The bias is more towards ride comfort than roll control but the MU-X still manages to be useful on the road. It too is afflicted with tilt-only steering (that is designed for 4WD-ing). It can pull a three-tonne braked trailer.

The extra 120Nm of torque shines through and the auto is an improvement. The tilt-only steering wheel doesn't help get an ideal driving position but it's adequate, as is seat comfort. Ride is jiggly, a sacrifice for a little more body control for better bend work. Three-tonne braked towing capacity, the same as the Isuzu.