Cupra Formentor vs Isuzu MU-X

What's the difference?

VS
Cupra Formentor
Cupra Formentor

$49,990 - $94,990

2026 price

Isuzu MU-X
Isuzu MU-X

$49,900 - $77,100

2026 price

Summary

2026 Cupra Formentor
2026 Isuzu MU-X
Safety Rating

Engine Type

Diesel Turbo 4, 3.0L
Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded Petrol

Diesel
Fuel Efficiency
-

8.3L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

7
Dislikes
  • Small boot in PHEV
  • Formentor S runs out of puff
  • Lots of tyre roar

  • Extra gruff
  • Laggy take-off
  • More power and torque wouldn't hurt
2026 Cupra Formentor Summary

We’ve waited more than two years and it’s finally here.

Cupra has introduced the updated version of its most popular car in Australia, the Formentor.

A spicy small SUV rival to the likes of the Mini Countryman, BMW X2 and Audi Q3, among others, this design-led small SUV is now offered in more flavours than ever before.

It’s our first time testing out this updated Formentor on local soil, so read on to see how it stacks up.

View full pricing & specs
2026 Isuzu MU-X Summary

Isuzu’s 3.0-litre MU-X has attracted plenty of fans over the years – and for good reason: it’s a seven-seat 4WD wagon packed with features, driver-assist tech and it has a decent 4WD set-up including a recalibrated rough terrain mode.

But the Japanese brand's 1.9-litre experiment has now officially ended – it’s a Gary-goner. So, for this test I’m driving its replacement: the 2.2L MU-X. This 4WD wagon has a, you guessed it, 2.2-litre engine – offering better claimed fuel consumption than the 3.0L, as well as an eight-speed automatic transmission and idle stop-start technology. And this MU-X has the same 3.5 tonne towing capacity as the 3.0-litre version, that’s 500kg more than the outgoing 1.9L MU-X.

So, how does this new 2.2L MU-X perform off-road? And does it make more sense as an adventure wagon than its 3.0L stablemate?

Read on.

View full pricing & specs

Deep dive comparison

2026 Cupra Formentor 2026 Isuzu MU-X

Change vehicle