2024 Isuzu MU-X LS-M 4x4 1.9 Review

With its skeleton borrowed from the tough-as-bricks D-MAX ute, the MU-X aims to serve as a bullet-proof chariot for large families on everything from a school run to a haul through the Kimberley.

Riding on a wave of popularity, Isuzu has expanded the MU-X lineup, introducing a new entry-point to the range that comes powered by a smaller 1.9-litre turbo-diesel unit instead of the flagship 3.0-litre donk.

Transplanting a lesser-powered engine underneath the bonnet is no small change for a prized package like the MU-X, though, and even has alarm bells ringing for some buyers who question if it kneecaps the core values of the platform.

To find out, we got behind the wheel of the MU-X LS-M 4x4 1.9, the most affordable 4x4 member of the MU-X range, to find out what - if any - compromises you’ll be making or whether it’s the value pick of the lineup.

Isuzu MU-X Competition

How Much Does the Isuzu MU-X Cost?

The MU-X you’re looking at here, the LS-M 1.9-litre 4x4 is priced at $53,400 before on-road costs.

For reference, prices for the MU-X range kick off from $47,400 for the LS-M 1.9L 4x2, while the equivalent LS-M 3.0-litre 4x4 is priced at $55,400.

Prices for the rest of the MY24 MU-X range can be found below.

• MU-X LS-M 1.9L 4x2 - $47,400

• MU-X LS-M 3.0L 4x2 - $49,400

• MU-X LS-M 1.9L 4x4 - $53,400 (tested)

• MU-X LS-M 3.0L 4x4 - $55,400

• MU-X LS-U 3.0L 4x2 - $55,900

• MU-X LS-U 1.9L 4x4 - $59,900

• MU-X LS-U 3.0L 4x4 - $61,900

• MU-X LS-T 3.0L 4x2 - $63,400

• MU-X LS-T 3.0 4x4 - $69,400

Keep in mind that prices listed above are subject to change and do not include on-road costs.

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Isuzu MU-X LS-M 4x4 1.9 Specifications

What Features & Specs Does the Isuzu MU-X LS-M Have?

The LS-M sits at the bottom of the MU-X range, designed as an affordable entry point into the lineup.

As a result, it’s not exactly the last word when it comes to premium features, though it does have the fundamentals covered - particularly for a base model.

The entry-level MU-X LS-M range comes packaged with 17-inch alloys wrapped in all-terrain tyres, automatic LED headlights with LED daytime running lamps and LED tail lights, a locking rear differential, adaptive cruise control black aluminium side steps, a front skid plate with steel plate guards, a body-coloured front bumper and a black and gunmetal front grille.

Inside you’ll find keyless entry and start, cloth upholstery, an electric parking brake, a six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat, carpet flooring, a polyurethane steering wheel and gear lever, air conditioning, and a rear-view camera with rear parking sensors.

Isuzu MU-X Connectivity & Infotainment Features

Without a doubt, one of the biggest weaknesses of the entry-level MU-X LS-M is the infotainment display which is, to put it kindly, less than competitive in the modern tech landscape.

The base model comes packaged with Isuzu’s older infotainment system, measuring 7.0 inches, which would have been fine just a few years ago, though times are changing (fast) and it seems like a bit of a miss.

It’s a reasonable unit in itself, though the buttons for volume controls and the pesky ‘OK’ confirmation upon each start-up is a constant reminder you’ve been stung with Isuzu’s older-gen infotainment tech.  

Upgrading to the larger 9.0-inch display fixes a lot of these gripes, but it’s not an option for the entry-level LS-M.

The matte finish is also a bit of a magnet for sticky fingerprints and is completely overwhelmed by sunlight, while the graphics aren’t quite as crisp as you’d hope for and the massive black bezel only draws attention to its pint-sized stature.

The infotainment system receives DAB+ digital radio support and is paired with a four-speaker sound system which certainly doesn’t inspire, but gets the job done at this end of the segment.

Does the Isuzu MU-X Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

Potential buyers will be pleased to know that the Isuzu MU-X range does indeed offer wireless smartphone mirroring, though only for one of the two major ecosystems.

iPhone owners rejoice - you’ve got wireless Apple CarPlay at your fingertips from the moment you step inside.

The downside for Android users is that you’ll be forced to connect your phone via a sole USB-A port in the centre stack, though this does at least curb chances of your phone suddenly losing connection, or struggling to re-connect when you’ve hopped back in.

Is the Isuzu MU-X LS-M 1.9 4x4 Comfortable to Drive?

Considering its wide range of abilities off-road, the driving experience behind the wheel of the MU-X is extremely impressive and one that doesn’t come with any real compromises on a daily drive.

Specifically, the MU-X with the 1.9-litre turbo-diesel gives buyers a slice of the good life at a significant price advantage over the larger 3.0-litre flagship powerhouse - but what’s the catch?

It represents a $2,000 discount over the larger engine in the same LS-M trim. Let’s be clear, though - this isn’t the engine for everyone.

If you’re serious about your towing or off-road adventures, it’s a stepping stone to the flagship engine which offers more towing capacity and a lazier, less-strained nature when pushed.

If, however, you’re going to be driving your MU-X on a jaunt around town more often than not, with the occasional weekend or holiday adventure, it’s a pretty great option.

We’d argue these buyers either match, or even outnumber the hardcore ones, so it’s a clever move from Isuzu to offer a cost-effective engine option.

You need to flatten the throttle considerably more to get up to speed compared to the larger engine, but it’s a hard-working little turbo-diesel that is eager to get off the line and waft you up to speed.

Short boosts of speed are taken care of thanks to just enough torque on tap, though there are some moments when the MU-X 1.9 feels a little underpowered.

Other than keeping an eye on its size and turning a circle around town, there’s really no indication that you’re behind the wheel of an incredibly capable 4x4, nor compromises on the daily driving front.

The steering wheel remains incredibly easy to throw around while you’re parking and navigating the urban jungle, with excellent visibility from the tall roofline which allows for large windows.

Arguably the best part of the driving experience is the MU-X’s suspension package, which benefits from the rock-solid foundations of the D-MAX without the jittery, firmness.

The MU-X eats up bumps around town without a second thought, and while there can be some bouncy moments at higher speeds, it’s perfectly suited to Australian road conditions.

On an open road, the MU-X stays planted in the corners while soaking up major irregularities without a second thought, making for an almighty cross-country tourer.

While it takes a little extra throttle to pick up to highway speeds, once you’re there, the MU-X is yet again a strong performer thanks to its well-tuned suspension and less clattering entering the cabin from the smaller turbo-diesel engine.

All up, while it might not be the engine for the most hardcore type of buyer, the MU-X 1.9-litre is a great option for those looking for a more economical, everyday 4x4 that retains all the inherent off-road benefits of its D-MAX-derived platform.

Is the MU-X Good Off-Road with the Smaller 1.9-litre Engine?

While it might be at a disadvantage in terms of torque, the MU-X even with the smaller turbo-diesel engine is still a beast when pushed off-road.

The 1.9-litre turbo-diesel pushes out 110kW of power and 350Nm of torque which is thrown to either the rear wheels when driving on the road, or all four wheels with both a 4H and 4L transfer case.

This puts the MU-X 1.9-litre down 30kW worth of power and 100Nm less than the flagship 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine, though this is somewhat mitigated by 80kg worth of weight savings with the smaller donk.

You’ll also find a locking rear differential fitted as standard to 4x4 variants, hill-descent control, as well as the ‘rough terrain’ mode that debuted in last year’s MU-X range which uses the traction control system to more effectively distribute torque on a slippery surface.

The result is still a mighty impressive off-road package that benefits from the D-MAX’s skeleton, huge amounts of ground clearance that allows for suspension travel and chassis articulation.

Full off-road specs for the MU-X LS-M 4x4 1.9-litre can be found below.

• Ground Clearance: 230mm

• Wading Depth: 800mm

• Approach Angle: 23.4 degrees

• Departure Angle: 27.6 degrees

• Breakover Angle: 19.1 degrees

How Much Can the MU-X LS-M 4x4 1.9-litre Carry and Tow?

As you might imagine, ticking the box for the MU-X with the lesser-powered turbo-diesel engine does come with some sacrifices over its 3.0-litre siblings, namely its towing abilities.

Thanks to some weight savings over the larger engine, the MU-X with a 1.9-litre engine has a larger 735kg payload over the 3.0-litre’s 660kg payload figures.

While gross vehicle mass (GVM) figures remain the same for both, totalling 2,800kg, the 1.9-litre’s braked towing capacity of 3,000kg falls 500kg short of the 3.0-litre’s 3,500kg braked towing power.

This means that if you’re serious about towing, spending a little extra for the 3.0-litre unit with its extra towing capabilities and larger combination mass figures is a wise investment.

• Payload: 735kg (up from 660kg in 3.0-litre)

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3,000kg (down from 3,500kg in 3.0-litre)

• Gross Vehicle Mass: 2,800kg (same as 3.0-litre)

• Gross Combination Mass: 5,500kg (down from 5,900kg in 3.0-litre)

Is the Isuzu MU-X 1.9 4x4 Fuel Efficient?

It absolutely is, in fact, fuel savings are perhaps the main selling point of the MU-X with Isuzu’s smaller engine over the larger 3.0-litre unit.

On a combined cycle, Isuzu says the MU-X with the 1.9-litre turbo-diesel is rated at 7.4L per 100km.

In our time behind the wheel, we were able to match Isuzu’s 7.4L/100km claim on a mix of town driving, country road cruising and sizable stints on the highway.

How Much Fuel does the Isuzu MU-X 1.9-litre use Around Town?

• Isuzu MU-X 1.9-litre City Consumption: 9.0L per 100km

• Isuzu MU-X 3.0-litre City Consumption: 10.3L per 100km

How Much Fuel Does the Isuzu MU-X 1.9-litre use on the Highway?

• Isuzu MU-X 1.9-litre Highway Consumption: 6.7L per 100km

• Isuzu MU-X 3.0-litre Highway Consumption: 7.2L per 100km

Is the Isuzu MU-X Practical and Spacious?

Absolutely - in a world filled with part-time seven-seaters, otherwise known as a 5+2 that would struggle to fit a mouse in the third row, the MU-X is a bona fide seven-seater with acres of space.

Accessing the front of the cabin is made easy with the aluminium side steps and a beefy grab handle, with a lovely raised driving position that adds confidence behind the wheel.

Once you’re inside, the MU-X’s driving position and cabin ergonomics are great, with surprisingly comfortable cloth upholstered seats with six-way manual adjustment to find your preferred posture.

There’s also headroom aplenty thanks to the tall roofline that allows for large windows and great visibility inside the cabin.

It’s certainly not the most luxurious design, but you can’t fault a base model in this regard.

There’s a lot of black and grey plastic going on, though the addition of some soft-touch leatherette finishes for the centre console surrounds, folding armrest and door sills is a nice touch.

For its lack of luxuries, there’s certainly no denying just how user-friendly the cabin is.

There are big rotary dials for the air conditioning and clean, simple centre console that allows you to control the 4x4 system, locking differential and rough terrain mode.

You’ll notice many an empty button flanking the gear lever, though, which is a constant reminder that you’ve skimped out with the base model.

That said, the layout is simple and effective, while Isuzu’s interior designs offer multiple storage spots to swallow up the loose items that families accumulate.

In the front of the cabin, you’ll find a large tray behind the gear lever, a pair of cupholders riding up against a compact storage area under the folding centre armrest.

There are also dual gloveboxes positioned in front of the passenger’s seat and a pair of cupholders that pop out from each side of the dashboard.

Move to the second row of the MU-X and things are equally impressive.

With more than enough space for adults to get comfortable, the MU-X holds strong on the family front. 

There’s a tonne of headroom to keep things feeling spacious inside, with enough width in the cabin for three-abreast seating when needed.

The second-row seats feature a reclining mechanism that allows you to lay back on a longer trip, though there’s no sliding feature on offer.

Amenities in the second row include USB-A charging ports, a compact cubby hole for a smartphone, a bag hook behind the passenger’s seat and a folding armrest with some pop-out cupholders.

The second row also picks up a pair of ISOFIX anchors and three top tether mounts hiding behind the seatback.

Entering the third row of the cabin is made simple with the second row folding atop itself and tumbling forward, providing more than enough width to squeeze in the rearmost of the cabin.

Once you’re back here, there’s enough room for an adult to be reasonably comfortable on a short hop around town, which means you’re unlikely to hear any complaints from young ones seated in the third row.

Those in the third row also pick up a storage nook, cup holder and additional air vents to stay comfortable.

How Big is the Isuzu MU-X’s Boot?

The Isuzu MU-X rounds out its incredibly strong family-friendly proposition with a healthy amount of boot space.

With all three rows standing in a seven-seat layout, you’ll still be able to squeeze a mighty impressive 311L worth of cargo in the boot.

Fold down the third-row seats and you’ll unlock a massive 1,119L worth of space, increasing to a maximum of 2,138L with the 60:40 split second-row seats folded.

The MU-X’s boot has a relatively flat load floor which makes it easy to lift and slide heavy cargo into the boot, while a number of tie-down hooks are standing by to keep valuables and bulky items from sliding around.

Better still, there’s a full-sized spare tyre hiding beneath the boot floor, making the MU-X one of the most practical members of the 4x4 SUV segment.

Is the Isuzu MU-X Safe?

The MU-X range boasts a hefty list of active safety equipment.

Better yet, Isuzu is generous enough to throw in almost every feature with its entry-level LS-M, meaning price-conscious buyers don’t miss out on too many key pieces of active safety gear.

As standard, the MU-X LS-M comes fitted with autonomous emergency braking with turn assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-departure alerts with lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, trailer sway control, post-collision braking and forward collision warnings.

You’ll also receive a rear-view monitor with rear parking sensors, traffic sign detection, wrong-pedal braking and eight airbags inside the cabin.

The only safety features you’ll miss out on with the entry-level LS-M are a set of front-mounted parking sensors and a tyre pressure monitoring system that are both reserved for the mid-spec LS-U range.

Does the Isuzu MU-X Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

It certainly does - a five star rating, at that.

ANCAP gave the MU-X its five-star safety tick after Isuzu’s family wagon scored the following marks in 2022 testing.

• Adult Occupant Protection: 86%

• Child Occupant Protection: 85%

• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 69%

• Safety Assist: 84%

What Warranty Does the Isuzu MU-X LS-M 1.9 Come With?

Isuzu offers the MU-X range with a six-year/150,000-kilometre warranty.

The company offers up to seven years’ worth of roadside assistance when you service your vehicle on time, at the dealership.

There is also five years of capped-price servicing on offer, which totals $2,245 - the same as the D-MAX, or $449 per visit.

Isuzu also offers a complimentary 3,000-kilometre/three-month service for buyers.

Service intervals for the Isuzu MU-X range stand at 12 months or 15,000-kilometres, whichever elapses first.

Our Verdict: Is the Isuzu MU-X LS-M 4x4 1.9 Worth it?

The MU-X is a fantastic all-rounder that is more than up to the task of what Aussie families can throw at it - though with the smaller 1.9-litre engine, it’s not necessarily the right pick for all buyers.

If, for example, you’re more focussed on the practicality benefits of a large, seven-seat SUV that can occasionally get its toes dirty on a weekend - this is amongst the best options in the segment.

For buyers looking for a bit more of a hardcore off-road option or a long-distance towing workhorse, the cost incentives of the smaller donk are ultimately outweighed by its lack of torque and pulling power.

In this respect, spending the extra $2,000 for the 3.0-litre is a wise investment - so long as you’re going to use it.

Otherwise, the MU-X LS-M stands as an almighty value proposition in the segment for family buyers that is hard to ignore for price-conscious buyers.

It’s such a solid offering that you really don’t need to step into a higher trim level, particularly if you’re planning on getting it dirty on the trails or on a cross-country road trip.

As a pound-for-pound fighter, the entry-level MU-X demands respect and sets an incredibly high bar for its rivals if they want to usurp one the throne of one of Australia’s best-value 4x4 SUVs.

Don’t forget if you’re looking to upgrade to a new car, our team of car-buying specialists is waiting on hand to take the stress out of the process and find you the best possible price.

Five Isuzu MU-X LS-M 1.9 Specs You Need to Know

1. Six-year/150,000-kilometre warranty

2. 1.9-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel produces 110kW/350Nm

3. 3,000kg braked towing capacity

4. 4x4 system with low-range transfer case, locking rear differential

5. 7.4L per 100km combined cycle fuel economy figures