The Isuzu MU-Xcan now be had with anew entry-level 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel enginethat delivers more power, torque and efficiency than the 1.9-litre engine it replaces in the updated 25.5MY range announced by Isuzu Ute Australia (IUA) this week.
There are no interior or exterior design changes for this update to the popular large off-road SUV, which received a midlife facelift in February this year, and the five-star ANCAP safety rating of the MU-X carries over to all 2.2L variants, but there have been some minor additions and attractions to the model range – as well as price hikes.
The MU-X range now comprises eight variants – down from 10 after losing all 4×2 grades bar one base LS-M 2.2L rear-wheel drive grade.
That’s still more than seven-seat ladder-frame SUV rivals including theFord Everest,Toyota PradoandFortuner,LDV D90,SsangYong Rextonand the soon-to-departMitsubishi Pajero Sport.
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Given its higher outputs, improved efficiency and better towing capability, the 2.2L engine is expected to be more popular than the 1.9L, which made its local debut in the D-Max in 2022 before becoming available in the MU-X in 2024, in part because it brings more performance and efficiency, and makes a 3500kg towing capacity standard across the MU-X range.
The 1.9L engine attracted less than 10 per cent of MU-X sales, but the new 2.2L will be more widely available than the 1.9L. It will be offered in four MU-X variants, including an entry-level LS-M 4×2 version of the SUV even after the previous axing of all rear-drive versions.
The new 2.2L engine will be available in all three core trim levels of the MU-X (LS-M, LS-U and LS-T), but not the X-Terrain flagship.
Finding more than100,000 Australian homessince the nameplate was launched here in 2013, theD-Max-based SUV entered its second generation in mid-2021 and became the nation’s second most popular large SUV behind the Ford Everest in 2024, when almost 18,000 examples were sold locally.
Pricing
The new 2.2L-powered MU-X variants are more expensive than the entry-level 1.9L model grades they replace, and there’s now an average price gap of about $2000 between 1.9L and 3.0L variants, following price hikes of up to $2700 for 25.5MY versions of the latter – which sees the MU-X X-Terrain flagship now priced at $77,100 plus on-road costs – though some 2.2L variants are being offered at special introductory drive-away prices (see the full price list below).
The cheapest MU-X variant – the 4×2 LS-M 2.2L auto – now costs $49,900 before on-road costs (or $48,990 drive-away from launch), which is up $2500 on the 1.9L vehicle it replaces (previously $47,400 plus on-roads).
| Model | Price before on-road costs |
|---|---|
| 25.5MY Isuzu MU-X 4×2 LS-M 2.2L AT | $49,900 ($48,900 drive-away) |
| 25.5MY Isuzu MU-X 4×4 LS-M 2.2L AT | $55,900 |
| 25.5MY Isuzu MU-X 4×4 LS-M 3.0L AT | $57,900 |
| 25.5MY Isuzu MU-X 4×4 LS-U 2.2L AT | $62,900 |
| 25.5MY Isuzu MU-X 4×4 LS-U 3.0L AT | $64,900 |
| 25.5MY Isuzu MU-X 4×4 LS-T 2.2L AT | $71,400 ($69,990 drive-away) |
| 25.5MY Isuzu MU-X 4×4 LS-T 3.0L AT | $73,400 |
| 25.5MY Isuzu MU-X 4×4 X-Terrain 3.0L AT | $77,100 |
All pricing excludes on-road costs unless noted otherwise.
Drivetrains and Efficiency
First revealed in November 2024 and now also available in the related D-Max ute, the new Euro 5 emissions-compliant RZ4F engine produces 120kW of power at 3600rpm and 400Nm of torque over 1600-2400rpm, up from the discontinued 1.9L RZ4E engine’s 110kW/350Nm outputs. IUA sys the new engine delivers peak torque 200rpm sooner and 60 per cent more torque at 1000rpm.
However, it’s still less powerful than the long-running ‘4J’ 3.0L engine, which continues on sale in both models – for now – and still delivers 140kW/450Nm, but like the new 2.2L engine it is now equipped with a fuel-saving engine idle stop/start system for 25.5MY.
Paired as standard with a new Aisin-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission (instead of the six-speed Aisin auto in other MU-X vehicles), IUA says the new 2.2L powertrain brings greater refinement and a 3500kg towing capacity across the range, as well as a 500kg increase in GCM (now 5900kg). The 1.9L engine was limited to towing just 3000kg.
Crucially, the new 2.2L diesel/auto combo lowers combined fuel consumption to 6.7L/100km in the MU-X LS-U 4×4 (down from 7.4L/100km for the 1.9L) and 7.6/100km with the 3.0L – down from 8.3L/100km without idle-stop.
There’s a corresponding CO2 reduction, from 196 to 177g/km (2.2L v 1.9L) and from 220 to 200g/km for the 3.0L with idle-stop in the MU-X LS-U 4×4.
| Specifications | MU-X 2.2L | MU-X 3.0L |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.2L turbo-diesel 4cyl | 3.0L turbo-diesel 4cyl |
| Power | 120kW | 140kW |
| Torque | 400Nm | 450Nm |
| Transmission | 8-speed auto | 6-speed auto |
| Drive type | 4×2 or 4×4 | 4×4 |
| Fuel consumption (combined) | 6.4L/100km (LS-M 4×2) 6.7L/100km (LS-M/LS-U/LS-T 4×4) | 7.6L/100km |
| CO2 emissions (combined) | 168g/km (LS-M 4×2) 177g/km (LS-M/LS-U/LS-T 4×4) | 200g/km |
| Fuel tank capacity | 80L | 80L |
| Braked towing capacity | 3500kg | 3500kg |
| Gross combination mass (GCM) | 5900kg | 5900kg |
Four-wheel drive vehicles have a switchable 4×4 system with high- and low-range gearing plus a locking rear differential.
Dimensions
There is no change to any MU-X dimensions or capacities for 25.5MY, apart from the 3.5-tonne towing capacity that now applies across the range.
| Isuzu MU-X | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4850mm |
| Width | 1870mm |
| Height | 1825mm |
| Wheelbase | 2855mm |
| Boot space | 311L (behind third row) 1119L (third row folded) 2138L (second and third rows folded) |
| Wading depth | 800mm |
| Ground clearance | 230mm (LS-M) 235mm (LS-U and up) |
The range has the following approach, departure and ramp-over angles:
| LS-M | LS-U | LS-T | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approach angle (degrees) | 23.4 | 24.0 | 24.0 |
| Departure angle (degrees) | 27.6 | 26.9 | 26.9 |
| Ramp-over angle (degrees) | 19.1 | 19.6 | 19.6 |
Servicing and Warranty
The 2025.5MY Isuzu MU-X range continues to be covered by a six-year, 150,000km warranty. When you service on schedule at an Isuzu dealer, up to seven years of roadside assistance is offered.
Logbook servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first, apart from a complimentary three-month service.
The first six services are capped at the following prices.
| Service interval | Cost |
|---|---|
| Three months/3000km | Free |
| 12 months/15,000km | $469 |
| 24 months/30,000km | $469 |
| 36 months/45,000km | $469 |
| 48 months/60,000km | $469 |
| 60 months/75,000km | $469 |
Safety
The Isuzu MU-X has a five-star safety rating from ANCAP, issued inJuly 2022after a redesign to the driver’s knee airbag and instrument panel.
It received an adult occupant protection score of 86 per cent, child occupant protection score of 85 per cent, vulnerable road user protection score of 69 per cent, and safety assist score of 84 per cent.
The 25.5MY Isuzu MU-X range comes standard with the following safety features:
- 8 airbags – dual front, dual seat side, dual full-length curtain, front knee and centre (far-side)
- Autonomous emergency braking with Turn Assist
- Adaptive cruise control
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Driver attention monitoring
- Lane-keep assist
- Emergency lane-keep assist
- Mis-acceleration Mitigation
- Rear cross-traffic assist
- Intelligent speed limiter
- Reversing camera
- Rear parking sensors
- Traffic Jam Assist
- Traffic sign recognition
- Trailer sway control
- Tyre pressure monitoring
The LS-U adds front parking sensors, while the LS-T and X-Terrain also get a surround-view camera.
Standard Equipment
There are no equipment changes for the 25.5MY MU-X range, with 2.2L variants specified as per outgoing 1.9L grades, and 3.0L vehicles also sharing the same features across the respective LS-M, LS-U and LS-T trim levels.
The MU-X LS-M is fitted as standard with the following features:
- 17-inch six-spoke silver alloy wheels with 255/65R17 Dunlop AT25 All-Terrain tyres
- Bi-LED headlights
- Automatic high-beam
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Electronic park brake with auto hold
- Polyurethane steering wheel and shifter
- Carpet flooring
- Cloth upholstery
- Dual vanity mirrors
- Push-button start
- 4.2-inch instrument cluster screen
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wireless Apple CarPlay
- Wireless Android Auto
- 4-speaker sound system
- 3 x USB-C outlets (2 front, 1 in second row)
- USB-A outlet for aftermarket dash camera
- Air-conditioning with rear passenger air vents and controls
- Door mirrors and door handles finished in black
- Sidesteps finished in black
- Window trims finished in black
The MU-X LS-U adds:
- 18-inch 12-spoke titanium metallic alloy wheels with 265/60R18 Bridgestone 684II HT tyres
- Smart Entry and Start
- LED fog lights
- Rear privacy glass
- Hands-free power tailgate
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Power-folding and heated body-colour door mirrors
- Body-colour door handles
- 7.0-inch instrument cluster screen
- 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Satellite navigation
- DAB+ digital radio
- 8-speaker sound system
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter
- 6-way adjustable driver’s seat, with electric adjustable lumbar support
- Dual-zone climate control with rear passenger air vents and controls
- 4 x USB-C outlets (2 front, 2 in second row)
- Tyre pressure monitoring
The MU-X LS-T adds:
- 20-inch six-spoke two-tone machined face alloy wheels with 265/50R20 Bridgestone 684II HT tyres
- Door handles, window trims, front fender accents, roof rails, side steps in gloss black
- Rear privacy glass
- Remote engine start
- Power-folding and heated door mirrors w/ side cameras finished in gloss black
- White ambient interior lighting
- Black headliner
- Heated front seats
- 8-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar
- 4-way power passenger seat
- Leather-accented upholstery with grey stitching and leatherette across door trims, centre console
The MU-X X-Terrain adds:
- 20-inch gloss black alloys, coated with a smoked clear coat with 265/50R20 Bridgestone 684II HT tyres
- Updated LED fog lights with black fog light bezels and gloss black surrounds
- Gloss black fender flares
- Lower body side skirt
- Lower rear underbody spoiler
- Piano black and silver metallic interior trim
- Red stitching details
- Red LED ambient interior lighting
- 7.0-inch instrument cluster screen with red fonts, graphics
Colours
The updated 25.5MY Isuzu MU-X range is available with eight exterior paint colour options, including Neptune Blue Mica which was new for 25MY, and Slate Grey metallic which was new for the new X-Terrain variant released in February.
The LS-M, LS-U and LS-T are available in the following finishes:
- Mineral White
- Mercury Silver metallic
- Obsidian Grey metallic
- Neptune Blue mica
- Basalt Black mica
- Magnetic Red mica
- Moonstone White pearl (LS-U and LS-T only)
The X-Terrain is offered exclusively in the following finishes:
- Moonstone White pearl
- Mercury Silver metallic
- Basalt Black mica
- Slate Grey metallic
All premium paints (pearl, metallic and mica; or anything other than standard Mineral White) cost an additional $695.
Accessories
The 25.5MY Isuzu MU-X range brings updates to IUA’s catalogue of genuine accessories, including an electronic brake controller ($948) and tow bar (from $1239).
The 25.5MY Isuzu MU-X is officially on sale from October 1. Watch this space for our first review on October 3.