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Is the Isuzu mu-X worth it?

A veteran of the segment that many buyers still flock to.

Autodeal on Sep 16, 2020

The Isuzu mu-X is one of the brand’s more popular offerings in the Philippines. Originally making its debut back in 2013, this midsize SUV quickly became a go-to option for those looking to buy an affordable and dependable vehicle. Throughout its life span in the country, the mu-X has gone through one major facelift in 2017 giving it a more premium design. Come 2020 and the SUV was given a couple of minor changes with the addition of a new set of wheels and a new infotainment system to keep it competitive. With that said and with its competition getting new updates and upgrades with newer models, is the Isuzu mu-X still worth it?

Adaptable exterior design

When it comes to design Isuzu Philippines has really thought about bringing in a quality product that will surpass its competitors when it comes to design adaptability. The mu-X has steadily been getting minor updates and upgrades over the years while still maintaining its overall familiar appearance. Not much has changed from its 2013 version apart from the revisions done to the vehicle in 2017. These gave the mu-X a new set of LED headlights as standard, a new set of bumpers, a grille change, and a new set of wheels. The most recent update in 2020 also saw the addition of a new set of 18-inch wheels to distinguish it from the other model years. The design, while familiar, gives loyal customers reasons to keep coming back and want to buy a new version. It's this stream of updates that keep people coming back for more.

A touch of luxury and quality

On the inside, the Isuzu mu-X comes with a simple yet durable cabin. Soft-touch materials are plentiful on the interior giving the vehicle a premium feel despite its much older design. Piano black and hard touch plastics are used sparingly but are still present in the interior specifically around the gear shift indicator.

One thing that hasn’t changed and many families may still enjoy is the 10-inch roof-mounted DVD monitor. A feature that hasn’t left the vehicle since its first introduction into the Philippines back in 2013. It is also a feature that none of its competitors have as standard right out of the factory giving the mu-X a slight advantage in this regard.

Isuzu has also given the mu-X a headunit upgrade for 2020 as the SUV now comes standard with a new 8-inch audio-video entertainment system that comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This gives the vehicle an advantage over some of its competitors as even the entry-level LS variant of the Isuzu SUV comes with this head unit, not to mention a reverse camera also comes standard with the vehicle for the LS-A variants.

Frugal lineup of diesel engines

While the Isuzu mu-X might not be the most powerful midsize SUV on the market today, it is known for being one of the more fuel-efficient ones. It has two engine choices that come in the form of a 1.9-liter turbo diesel motor that pushes out 148hp and 350 Nm of torque and a 3.0-liter turbo diesel engine that makes 175hp and 380 Nm of torque. These engines are made available with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission. This puts it on par with many of its rivals in the segment. While these engines aren’t over-achievers these numbers translate well to the ground for an easy and enjoyable drive. Even with 7-people on-board, the mu-X can easily pull its laden weight even during uphill climbs. Whichever variant of the mu-X you chose from, it will surely deliver you the power you need when you need it and give you great fuel efficiency in return.

Verdict

Despite its shortcomings, when it comes to power and technology the Isuzu mu-X still presents itself as a great value for money purchase. With a starting price of P1,350,000 for the RZ4E LS 4x2 AT variant, this makes the Japanese SUV one of the more affordable vehicles in the segment. This gives first-time buyers who are looking for a 7-seater SUV the option to buy into an automatic variant right off the bat. Not only that but with its reputation as being a dependable and reliable vehicle that can well last past the 5-year mark, the mu-X presents itself as a partner for the family that can last for years. It is the seasoned veteran of the segment and it's not hard to see why people keep coming back to it. Isuzu regularly updates the SUV giving loyal customers and first-time buyers reasons to keep buying the mu-X.

If you’re in the market for a dependable and frugal SUV partner then the Isuzu mu-X is the vehicle of choice for you. It brings with it an adaptable exterior design that can prove to stand the test of time and a frugal set of engines that will definitely give you your money’s worth when it comes to fuel. It may not be the most updated when it comes to tech, but it's the only SUV in its class to still come with a 10-inch DVD monitor at the back, giving the rear passengers something to enjoy on long road trips. It also brings with it an attractive price point making it one of the better value for money options for those looking to get into an affordable automatic SUV.

If you want to get your hands on an Isuzu mu-X today, then we highly recommend using our Buy Online function to make the process of getting your next SUV to go as easily and as smoothly as possible.