Isuzu MU-X Review, For Sale, Colours, Models, Specs & Interior

Isuzu MU-X Review, For Sale, Colours, Models, Specs & Interior

FROM
$47,400

The rugged Isuzu MU-X (which oddly stands for Mysterious Utility – eXtreme) is a 4x4 wagon based on the company's only other passenger vehicle, the D-Max ute.

The MU-X – like its key competitors, the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Everest – eschew leaf springs at the rear in favour of softer coils, but its otherwise mechanically identical to its ute brethren. Available in a rear- or four-wheel drive layout in the $47,400 MU-X LS-M (4X2) and $74,400 MU-X X-Terrain (4X4) models respectively, the five seat wagon also offers a third row of seats, allowing a total of seven people to ride aboard. A five-speed automatic transmission backs its torquey 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, and since 2021 it can tow up to 3500kg of braked trailer behind it.

This vehicle is also known as The Isuzu MU-X is also known as Chevrolet Colorado, Chevrolet D-Max, Chevrolet LUV D-Max, Holden Colorado, Holden Rodeo, Isuzu KB, Isuzu LB, Isuzu Rodeo, Chevrolet T Series, GMC Canyon in markets outside Australia..

7.4L/100km (combined)
SUV
6 Speed Automatic
Diesel
Rating Summary
Price and features
8
Practicality
7
Driving
8
Safety
8
Overview
Likes
On-road improvements
Off-road capability
Tractable engine
Dislikes
Expensive
Road-biased tyres
Needs more running ground clearance

Isuzu MU-X News

EXISTING MODELS
Family SUV faces the chop: Rival to the 2026 Toyota Kluger, Ford Everest, Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe could be axed in Australia
6 Jun 2025
OPINION
Why size doesn't matter when it comes to the price of a car | Opinion
8 May 2025
TRENDING
Unmarked police cars Australia: How to spot an undercover cop car
5 May 2025
INDUSTRY NEWS
The future of Isuzu: 2025 Isuzu D-Max and MU-X debuts with new smaller 2.2-litre engine in Thailand as it moves away from 3.0-litre engine amidst tough new emissions laws
26 Mar 2025
PRICE AND SPECS
Tough new 4WD hero for refreshed Isuzu MU-X that will take on the twin challenges of Ford Everest and Toyota Prado
21 Feb 2025
OPINION
Should a ute or 4WD be used as a family car? The Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux, Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X are some of the best sellers in Australia, but do they work as a dual-purpose vehicle? Here's the verdict | Opinion
30 Dec 2025
EXISTING MODELS
Which off-road SUV should you buy between the 2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado Kakadu, Lexus GX550 Overtrail, Ford Everest Platinum and Isuzu MU-X LS-T? We compare how each 4WD stacks up on paper
28 Dec 2024
EXISTING MODELS
Ute power wars over? New 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine poised for 2025 Isuzu D-Max ute and 2025 Isuzu MU-X family SUV as Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux rival could be set for less power and torque but improved emissions
25 Nov 2024
UPCOMING MODELS
The end of a legendary engine? 2025 Isuzu D-Max and MU-X to get new 2.2-litre turbo-diesel in Thailand to fight Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger but what does it mean for Isuzu 4JJ3's future in Australia?
19 Nov 2024
See all Isuzu MU-X News

Isuzu MU-X FAQs

My 2021 Isuzu MU-X continually changes gears while towing a caravan

This is probably a simple case of an automatic transmission doing what it’s designed to do. In order to keep the engine in its comfort zone (and making sufficient power and torque to haul the caravan at the speed you’ve chosen) the transmission will shift through its gears to achieve that happy balance.

Any time you encounter a hill or even a headwind (and it’s more so with a heavier caravan) the transmission will assess what speed you want to hold, and then (via changing gears) keep the engine at a speed that supplies the necessary performance. Even a hot day can cause a change in the shift patterns as the transmission aims to take the strain off the cooling system by giving the engine and easier time. Again, a big, heavy caravan will amplify this effect.

However, if the transmission is changing gears for no apparent reason, then you may need to have the calibration checked and perhaps even reprogrammed. Don’t forget, though, that a modern transmission is a pretty clever piece of gear that can even choose to shift down gears going downhill to take the strain of the vehicle’s brakes. Don’t confuse an active transmission with a dud one. And if you still think the behaviour is odd, then an electronic scan of the vehicle might provide more information.

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Is my 2021 Isuzu MU-X burning too much oil?

Okay, here’s the bottom line: All engines use a little bit of oil. If they don’t there’s either something wrong with the oil pump, or the owner is kidding themselves and not checking the oil level correctly. Modern turbo-diesels also 'breathe' a little oil back through the engine as part of the emissions control system, and owners with an aftermarket catch-can system often find a bit of oil winds up in there instead of being burnt in the engine.

The question is how much is too much. I don’t think 700ml per 2000km is excessive and your dealer’s views will be based on the official figure from Isuzu. But in the real world, owners are reporting oil consumption of around a litre to 1.5 litres per 5000km. At which point, your engine is right on the money.

How you drive the vehicle and whether you tow a heavy load will also affect oil consumption, as will ambient temperature and the type of oil you use. It’s a fact that modern, lower-friction engines are designed to use a little oil in the name of saving fuel, and it’s something car owners need to get their head around. Keep an eye on that dipstick and you should be fine. Checking the oil on a regular basis will also tell you whether the engine’s drinking habits have changed; a much more valuable piece of knowledge to have.

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Can AEB be turned off in a 2023 Isuzu MU-X?

This is an increasingly common complaint among car owners who are finding that modern driver safety aids such as autonomous emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance programs are too sensitive and don’t take into account the whole picture at the time. Examples include shrubs in a driveway causing the emergency braking to activate, and lane-keeping assistance trying to maintain a car in the centre of its lane despite a looming wide-load on a truck next to it.

I’m not sure what the solution is. But we can only hope that as cars get better and these programs more sophisticated, the errors won’t be as common. But while ever this tech relies on a computer and an algorithm, it will be doomed to (sometimes) fail. This is one of the reasons completely self-driving cars are not yet a reality on our roads; the tech is simply not foolproof yet.

Meantime, covering your car’s cameras with tape might put a stop to the false alarms, but it might also create new problems as the computer searches in vain for the camera’s input. And your concerns about insurance hassles are well founded, too. It’s not hard to imagine the owner of a car with disabled safety features being refused cover in the event of a crash.

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See all Isuzu MU-X Q&As
Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. CarsGuide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.

Isuzu MU-X Accessories

Upgrades for 2025 Isuzu MU-X include new alloy wheel design, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, piano black interior trims, a 7.0-inch digital instrument display panel, a 7.0- or 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, USB-C ports, LED fog lights and tyre pressure monitoring.

There's a new flagship model, the X-Terrain, which comes with a range of unique black elements to help it visually stand out, including its 20-inch gloss black alloy wheels, the horizontal bars on the grille, fog light surrounds and fender flares.

Isuzu MU-X Colours

For 2025 the Isuzu MU-X is available in eight colours, with two new hues. Mineral White, Moonstone White, Mercury Silver, Obsidian Grey, Bassalt Black and Magnetic Red carry over from the old model, while Neptune Blue and Slate Grey are new. The latter, Slate Grey, is exclusive to the X-Terrain.

Bassalt Black
Cobalt Blue
Galaxy Blue
Magnetic Red
Mercury Silver
Mineral White
Moonstone White
Obsidian Grey

Isuzu MU-X Seats

The Isuzu MU-X range comes standard with seven seats in every model. The seats feature a new design but the space is the same, with roomy and comfortable seats up front, space for two adults or three kids in comfort in the second row.

There is respectable room in the third row for kids, so while the MU-X isn’t a substitute for a people mover, it can accommodate a larger family that needs up to seven seats on regular occasions.

Isuzu MU-X Boot Space

The Isuzu MU-X has a large cargo area, with 311-lites available with the third row seats in use, which expands to 1119L with the third row stowed. With the second row folded down the the MU-X boasts 2138L of luggage space.

Isuzu MU-X boot space Isuzu MU-X boot space

Isuzu MU-X Interior

Isuzu has redesigned the interior for 2025. There’s a redesigned steering wheel, taking inspiration from the Hexa Pod theme of the exterior, while the dashboard itself has been reprofiled after the shape of the F-35 fighter jet. The LS-M and LS-U get new cloth trim and there’s fresh leather-accented seats in the LS-T and X-Terrain.

Isuzu MU-X Engine

Isuzu has opted not to change the engines for 2025, so the MU-X is carrying over its 1.9-litre and 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engines. The 1.9L makes 110kW/350Nm, while the 3.0L is good for 140kW/450Nm, both are paired to a six-speed automatic transmission and available with 4x2 and 4x4.

Isuzu MU-X Range

The Isuzu MU-X 1.9L is rated at 7.4L/100km and the 3.0L uses 8.3L/100km, which are unchanged from the pre-facelifted model.

The MU-X fuel tank is 80L in both models, which means the 1.9L has a driving range of theoretically 1081km, while the 3.0L engine has a potential range of 963km.

Isuzu MU-X Speed

Isuzu doesn't publish a 0-100km/h time, but we'd estimate the 3.0L would take approximately 10 seconds and the 1.9L around 15 seconds.

The top speed is estimated at approximately 175km/h.