Isuzu has expanded the 2024 MU-X vary with a smaller, 1.9L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel engine. However what about towing? Does it nonetheless maintain up?
The Isuzu MU-X and D-MAX vary have at all times been a little bit of a value-oriented (and, dare I say, underrated) possibility in Australia. In actual fact, they delight themselves on having the ability to provide utes and SUVs which can be aggressive with anything available on the market whereas permitting for important financial savings to the outdated financial institution steadiness.
These financial savings are actually being prolonged to the gasoline bowser, with the MU-X being the most recent to obtain the brand new 1.9L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel, which can be tiny however is being marketed as fairly darn mighty as effectively.
The tried and examined 3.0L turbo deezy remains to be out there for a pair grand extra, and the same old variants are nonetheless in place for many who search for the finer issues in a brand new automobile. However the shift in direction of a more recent, smaller and extra environment friendly engine is actually an attention-grabbing transfer for the model.
Is the brand new Isuzu MU-X 2024 for you? Let’s check out the deets
Mod-cons and value tags
As with earlier fashions, the MU-X begins with the LS-M as the bottom mannequin, the LS-U kicks issues up a notch, whereas the LS-X is for these with champagne tastes on a-pretty-decent-sparkling-wine-from-Aldi price range. Each the 1.9L and three.0L can be found throughout all fashions, together with the choice (within the base and mid-spec automobiles) to have a Bluetooth entrance diff and get round in 2WD-only if driving off the blacktop will not be your model of caprice.
The bottom mannequin LS-M actually does have a good chunk of recent comfort inbuilt. Anticipate issues like Clever Driver Help System, 17in rims, a 7in infotainment display and LED headlights.
Stepping as much as the LS-U nets you 18in alloys, a 9in display and a distant hands-free tailgate when you’re into impressing your youngsters together with your Harry Potter ‘Alohamora’ abilities.
Up on the pointy finish of the size, the LS-X offer you 20in rollers, leather-based 8-way electrical butt-huggers and a distant begin characteristic for these occasions while you want the AC to be chilly as quickly as you bounce in.
Arr-arr-pees Isuzu MU-X 2024 (exc. on-roads):
For extra particulars on the Isuzu MUX 2024 vary, click on HERE
Engine alternative
Okay, so once we say ‘alternative’ you continue to have to choose a diesel, 4-cylinder and turbocharged engine, however from there issues go fairly separate instructions. Everyone knows and love the three.0L by now. It’s an incredible workhorse that’s dependable, comparatively economical, overengineered and under-stressed. Simply what you need in a tow rig, actually.
However let’s speak concerning the 1.9L. For its dimension, it places out some fairly darn spectacular numbers, with 110kW and 350NM of torque. For reference, that’s greater than the 1HZ 4.2L six-cylinder Land Cruiser engines which can be nonetheless offered in some international locations. Not dangerous for lower than half the capability.
It’s additionally necessary to notice that the RZ4E-TC (that’s the engine code, my cat didn’t stroll throughout the keyboard) places these 350NM down at a hair over 1 / 4 of its whole torque band, and 85% of the max. torque is obtainable at over 79% of the band – which primarily means you’re getting all of the grunt throughout a better rev vary. This needs to be nice for carrying a load in addition to simply efficiency and driveability generally.
Yeah, it’s nonetheless a piece much less energy than the three.0L, which places out 140kW and 100 further Newtons, however for a zippy, dependable and maybe most significantly, frugal automobile that’s large enough for the youngsters and a Saturday-morning run to Bunnings it’s tough to argue with. By the way in which, the LS-M 1.9L additionally has a payload of as much as 735kg (about 100kg greater than a Fortuner), and Isuzu even reckons that you could get north of 1000km from the 80L tank within the 1.9L, which it’s important to admit is healthier than first rate.
Yeah, however what about towing?
That is the place the smaller engine falls down considerably. Most braked pulling capability on the 1.9L is 3000kg vs 3500kg for the three.0L, and GCM is 5500kg vs. 5900kg respectively. Mainly this implies you’re in all probability restricted to a fold-out camper trailer or a smaller hybrid (not essentially a foul factor by any means), but it surely’s nonetheless a reasonably gutsy little engine. Once more, to not decide on the Land Cruiser, however take note the early 80 Sequence was restricted to 2500kg towing capability, so the little jigger stacks up fairly effectively total.
GVM for the 1.9L depends on whether or not it’s two or four-wheel drive, with the figures being 2700kg and 2800kg, respectively.
Look, it’s not going to drag your 25-foot van throughout the Nullabor, however that’s not what it’s constructed for. It’s constructed to be an inexpensive, protected and succesful SUV that may deal with gentle to medium-duty work and towing duties with out drama. Given there’s a robust development for more and more smaller engines on the hunt for ever-smaller gasoline payments and extra economical motoring, this could be what loads of people are searching for.