MU-X driven!
Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2018 1:26 pm
Ok, after a bit of chit chat on one of the 4x4 AG WhatsApp groups I decided that maybe I should take a look at the new Isuzu MU-X
My local dealer has more than happy to bring the MU-X past work for me to take a drive.
Exterior:
Here there is nothing that makes me look twice, it has 4 doors and a bumper up front and one attached the rear too, it's not going to win any beauty competitions, but its not ugly. the silver makes the MU-X bland and unexciting, there are chrome accents everywhere and a massive chrome grill, which is not to my liking, but I have never liked chrome. The low side steps would have to quickly be removed or replaced with rock sliders if you want to venture off the tar as they really hinder ground clearance, the 18" mags are also a negative for me, shod with 255/60/18 HT Bridgestones they will be great for long Cape Town trips but I would rather have a set of 17" wheels with some A/T's attached, the dealer has offered to swap out a set of mags off a Double Cab to keep me happy. The vehicle has a very high roof line, so it does feel big when you stand next to it.
Interior
Here I was impressed, the driving position is decent and all round visibility is good to excellent, on that note the side mirrors do a very good job and I seldom found myself looking over my shoulder to check blind spots. The fit and finish is good, the ride is quiet and smooth, the reverse camera does a good job and was displayed on a optional (about) 10" screen, the standard head unit is apparently a 6.5" unit also with reverse camera. The boot access is good, although the floor is about 10 - 15 mm higher than the bumper, so loading heavy items will be even more difficult as the floor level is much higher than my current and what you would expect to find. The 3rd row of seats fold flat, which rob plenty of boot space, resulting in the high boot floor. The black leather is a really nice finish, and the multi-function steering wheel seems to have all the many necessary buttons including the cruise control and bluetooth. Rear (2nd row) leg room is very good, but I think the MU-X should have copied Toyota and allowed the middle row of seats to adjust fore and aft for more leg room for the 3rd row of seats when in use, but saying that the 3rd row has adequate leg room for the average adult, I would not want to sit there for long distances, but a short 10 min commute would not be terrible. The climate control and 4wd control are easy to use. I did not like the digital fuel gauge and temperature gauge, I prefer a needle, the on-board computer had all the info a driver could want, outside temp, range etc
Drive
The 3.0 diesel turbo engine is a good match for the big body, there is enough power and mated with the 6 speed auto box made traffic a breeze, on the highway, again, the engine does a good job of delivering the power and it effortlessly accelerated up to the national speed limit, but the auto box is a bit of a let down, it often hesitated, mainly if you come off the power and then get back on the throttle, and twice on my short drive it had to gear down more than one cog to actually get into the correct gear when I mashed the accelerator pedal into the floor board, I would be nervous as to how the auto box will tow my heavy off road trailer. There is no rear diff lock, but it is apparently an option. The engine is smooth and quiet, probably due to good cabin insulation, but cabin noise was low from the engine and gearbox. Overall the gearbox prefers small throttle openings and is at home in the streets of suburbia, I could easily drive a MU-X everyday.
Overall? Would i buy it? I'm not sold, if I was really looking I would test the Mitsu Paj Sport an the Tuna and go from there, I have sat in the Mitsu's drivers seat, and I can tell you its a nicer place to sit than the MU-X, but I have not driven it.
My local dealer has more than happy to bring the MU-X past work for me to take a drive.
Exterior:
Here there is nothing that makes me look twice, it has 4 doors and a bumper up front and one attached the rear too, it's not going to win any beauty competitions, but its not ugly. the silver makes the MU-X bland and unexciting, there are chrome accents everywhere and a massive chrome grill, which is not to my liking, but I have never liked chrome. The low side steps would have to quickly be removed or replaced with rock sliders if you want to venture off the tar as they really hinder ground clearance, the 18" mags are also a negative for me, shod with 255/60/18 HT Bridgestones they will be great for long Cape Town trips but I would rather have a set of 17" wheels with some A/T's attached, the dealer has offered to swap out a set of mags off a Double Cab to keep me happy. The vehicle has a very high roof line, so it does feel big when you stand next to it.
Interior
Here I was impressed, the driving position is decent and all round visibility is good to excellent, on that note the side mirrors do a very good job and I seldom found myself looking over my shoulder to check blind spots. The fit and finish is good, the ride is quiet and smooth, the reverse camera does a good job and was displayed on a optional (about) 10" screen, the standard head unit is apparently a 6.5" unit also with reverse camera. The boot access is good, although the floor is about 10 - 15 mm higher than the bumper, so loading heavy items will be even more difficult as the floor level is much higher than my current and what you would expect to find. The 3rd row of seats fold flat, which rob plenty of boot space, resulting in the high boot floor. The black leather is a really nice finish, and the multi-function steering wheel seems to have all the many necessary buttons including the cruise control and bluetooth. Rear (2nd row) leg room is very good, but I think the MU-X should have copied Toyota and allowed the middle row of seats to adjust fore and aft for more leg room for the 3rd row of seats when in use, but saying that the 3rd row has adequate leg room for the average adult, I would not want to sit there for long distances, but a short 10 min commute would not be terrible. The climate control and 4wd control are easy to use. I did not like the digital fuel gauge and temperature gauge, I prefer a needle, the on-board computer had all the info a driver could want, outside temp, range etc
Drive
The 3.0 diesel turbo engine is a good match for the big body, there is enough power and mated with the 6 speed auto box made traffic a breeze, on the highway, again, the engine does a good job of delivering the power and it effortlessly accelerated up to the national speed limit, but the auto box is a bit of a let down, it often hesitated, mainly if you come off the power and then get back on the throttle, and twice on my short drive it had to gear down more than one cog to actually get into the correct gear when I mashed the accelerator pedal into the floor board, I would be nervous as to how the auto box will tow my heavy off road trailer. There is no rear diff lock, but it is apparently an option. The engine is smooth and quiet, probably due to good cabin insulation, but cabin noise was low from the engine and gearbox. Overall the gearbox prefers small throttle openings and is at home in the streets of suburbia, I could easily drive a MU-X everyday.
Overall? Would i buy it? I'm not sold, if I was really looking I would test the Mitsu Paj Sport an the Tuna and go from there, I have sat in the Mitsu's drivers seat, and I can tell you its a nicer place to sit than the MU-X, but I have not driven it.
