Isuzu MU-X

Reasons why I bought this car

It start with our family members have a idea that having a 7seater with off road capability. Sure you guys asking why you need to off road with a family car? Because I need to go into oil palm plantation and agriculture land to do site viewing due to work purpose. Use it as a multi purpose vehicle, while MPV/Multi Purpose Vehicle on the market don't really can off road. So we settled with this 7seater SUV.

Car selection process

• I had a budget of: Around RM160,000 or the cheaper the better, yes you can call me cheapskate, haha.
• Models that I have considered include: Toyota Fortuner VRZ, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport VGT, Nissan X-Trail
• Reasons why I chose this car:

I choose this car because fuel saving, low maintenance cost, okay I admit I am cheapskate, hahaha. And proven track record of reliability on its brother model - the Isuzu D-Max, which uses the same engine and ladder frame chassis. The spare parts and after market modifying parts is easily available and affordable too, which make these diesel fleet the #1 choice of Thailand motorist and diesel modification enthusiast alike.

User experience

• I have already done 65000 km. My average fuel consumption is 12L/100km.

The fuel saving, low maintenance cost and reliability is the selling point of Isuzu. As a diesel vehicle specialist, who sells alot of commercial trucks too, I have to say I am statisfy with the claim. In the real world driving, I get 10KM/liter in the city and 14km/liter on the highways if driven smoothly. If right foot is heavy, it can dip to 8KM/liter. The service costs are at the range of RM 100-300 for the minor service and major ones settled at RM 500-600, price as per Isuzu official SC. As for the driving experience, I will describe it in contrast of Toyota Fortuner, because I have test driven and use the Toyota Fortuner 2.4 VRZ for a week during a travelling event. MU-X is comfortable, coil spring at the front and 5-link suspension at the rear, but there's trade off of body roll during corner because the suspension is on the soft side for comfort. Fortuner has less body roll but more bumpy when passing on uneven roads.

On paper, the power figure of MU-X is falling behind Toyota Fortuner 2.4 VRZ, I guess this turn many buyers away from MU-X and it become a unsuccessful model and at last withdrawn from the market. But in real world driving, both of it pulls very similar during full throttle acceleration test, this is the key reason I decided to get MU-X over the Fortuner. Maybe MU-X weight slightly lighter than Fortuner - 1.85ton vs 2ton, and gear ratio of MU-X also a factor.

Pros of my car:

• Floods - no problem,

• towing friend's car or small lorry out from mud -no problem

• parking on divider like east Malaysia style - no problem also (but not recommended in West Malaysia). It is fuel saving, low service cost for a big SUV, and proven reliability.

• There is a sticker by Isuzu Japan at the engine bay hood, it stated engine oil change interval can be done at every 20,000km. But Isuzu Malaysia will do it every 10,000km due to weather and environment is different with Japan. Btw, if every owner service on every 20,000km, Isuzu SC will lost many income too. Haha.

• In the cabin, there is cup holders and air cond vent in every row of seat, and a ceiling mounted screen for entertainment.

Cons

• Body roll during corners, to improve this, beside aftermarket stabilizing bars in Malaysia market, there is alot more aftermarket parts from Thailand like e.g Twin Arms which specially designed for ladder frame SUV/truck, it improves body roll, steering precise, and stability at highway speed for drivability and safety. Some sellers already started to bring it in to Malaysia market. It is a little sluggish when it start to move from static, well it is almost a 2ton SUV, it won't be as zippy as Myvi 1.5 MT at my home which weight only half of it. This got me interested on piggyback ECU for diesel, Dyno proven can get around 200HP, 500Nm on wheel (not on crank) with stock engine, to me this is powerful enough, but does do any harm to the engine? Who has tried these ECU products please shine some light.

Ratings:

Total Score: 5

Performance: 3

Quality & Features: 5

Space: 5

Ride Comfort: 5

Fuel Economy:5

Price & Cost: 4

Summary :

A good 7 seater SUV with real off road capability, as good as Toyota Fortuner but with lower maintenance cost. It is underrated in Malaysia while Toyota Fortuner dominate this segment. In Thailand, this segment is merrier with Nissan Terra, Ford Everest, Isuzu MU-X, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and also the Toyota Fortuner.

Event:

Once in a estate road with mud after rain, car get stuck in slippery path of mud, it is using 2wd mode which drive the 2 rear wheel, it really unable to get thru the path. Once I shifted to 4WD mode the car can get thru the muddy path just a light tap on the throttle, I was impressed how useful is 4WD in this condition.

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