Isuzu has been a recent entry into the Indian market and has made a name for itself with its D-max range of pickup trucks. When it arrived here in 2014, it also brought the MU-7 D-segment SUV as a luxury option in its range.
The MU-7 had arrived in India at a time when buyers were just beginning to make a demand for SUVs in that range. Now, three years later, with this demand in full swing, Isuzu is set to bring itself back in the game with a new SUV. This is the MU-X and it is positioned in the same spot as the MU-7, replacing it as their D-segment offering. This the Japanese automaker’s new, fully loaded, flagship SUV which will eventually take up the space occupied by the MU-7 globally.
Its D-segment positioning means it is a clear rival for the mighty Toyota Fortuner which is currently not just the highest selling SUV in this part of the market but rather the highest selling vehicle even among its rivals. The MU-X has its task clearly cut out and this is how it performs against the Toyota Fortuner in terms of specs and features.
Exterior
On the face of things, these are both large SUVs with a good presence. Both have chrome loaded faces, slab sided SUV silhouettes with forward sloping rooflines and of course tall rear-ends which allow people to identify the vehicle as an SUV from a far. This then is down to design language of both the vehicles and the Fortuner with its sharper lines manages to stand out as compared to the MU-X’s softer lines. We would have loved to suggest that the MU-X is the more discreet of two but at 4.8-metres there is nowhere this behemoth would not get noticed. It is a similar story with the Fortuner and in its case the design and name are now a household brand.
Interior
The MU-X will be made available for the Indian market in one top-of-the-line trim level. This means it goes up against the top-of-the-line 2.8-litre 4X4 AT Fortuner. Both get multi-zone climate control, touchscreen infotainment system, electrically adjustable driver’s seat, split folding second and third rows, multiple cup holders, button start and keyless entry. The MU-X holds an ace up its sleeve in this part of the fray as it has more speakers than the Fortuner and at the same time also offers a 10-inch roof mounted rear screen for passengers in the second and third row. While this may seem like a small addition, it will allow Isuzu to cater to those who would use the vehicles with chauffeurs and spend time in the second row.
Performance
The Fortuner in this top spec trim is powered by a 2.8-litre four-cylinder diesel engine that produces 174bhp/430Nm with 4X4 and a six-speed AT. The 4X4 option gets selectable terrain options with a low range gearbox. It is a similar story in the MU-X which is offered with a 3.0-litre four-cylinder diesel that produces 175bhp/380Nm of torque. The gearbox is a five-speed AT with a low range gearbox and selectable terrain management options.
Conclusion
The Isuzu MU-X has its work clearly cut out for it if it wants to stand up to the Toyota Fortuner. Where it matters, the MU-X has all the things needed to make it a popular option. However, the biggest challenge that Isuzu will face is Toyota’s and more importantly the Fortuner’s established brand name. Its D-segment positioning means that it is a clear rival for the mighty Toyota Fortuner which is currently not just the highest selling SUV in this part of the market but rather the highest selling vehicle even among its rivals. The MU-X has its task clearly cut out and this is how it performs against the Toyota Fortuner in terms of specs and features.
