2022 Isuzu MU-X 3500kg towing capacity versus payload: How much can you really carry? – UPDATE
How much payload is left in the 2022 Isuzu MU-X at maximum towing capacity? We crunch the numbers to see how it compares.
The 2022 Isuzu MU-X four-wheel-drive has the highest claimed braked towing capacity among its direct rivals – rated at 3500kg rather than the class average of 3000kg or 3100kg.
However drivers will be limited by a greatly diminished payload inside the vehicle when there is maximum weight on the tow ball.
Calculations by CarAdvice show when the 2022 Isuzu MU-X has 3500kg behind it, the payload capacity of the vehicle diminishes to between 225kg and 315kg (depending on the model), which also must include the driver and any passengers and luggage – and any accessories fitted to the vehicle.
An earlier version of this story incorrectly calculated payload on the 2022 Isuzu MU-X line-up and its peers by subtracting vehicle weight and trailer weight from the Gross Combination Mass (the combined maximum weight limit of the vehicle, trailer, luggage, accessories, and everyone on board as a going concern).
This is a common misconception because, in some instances, such methodology can work on certain vehicles towing certain trailer weights.
It explains why so many holidaymakers are unwittingly driving combinations that exceed the towing vehicle's Gross Vehicle Mass, Gross Combination Mass, or both.
However, towing experts advise you also need to consider and calculate the vehicle's payload by subtracting the vehicle's weight and the towing downball weight (the weight on the hitch, generally 10 per cent of the total weight of the trailer) from the Gross Vehicle Mass.
The Gross Vehicle Mass is the maximum weight a particular vehicle has been engineered to handle – including the weight of the vehicle itself, and people and cargo on board.
However, contrary to popular belief, the trailer's downball weight must be included as part of the Gross Vehicle Mass, and added to the kerb weight of the vehicle – as it is contributing downward weight on the vehicle's suspension, steering, and other mechanical components.
Calculations by CarAdvice found the 2022 Isuzu MU-X has a modest remaining vehicle payload of 225kg to 315kg when towing a 3500kg trailer, and a slightly below average payload of 325kg to 365kg when towing a 3000kg trailer.
Importantly, the 2022 Isuzu MU-X does not pick up an extra 500kg on its payload when towing a 3000kg trailer versus a 3500kg trailer, because it is limited by its nominated Gross Vehicle Mass.
Rivals such as the Toyota Prado (340kg to 450kg), Toyota Fortuner (345kg to 370kg), Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (370kg to 430kg) and Ford Everest 3.2-litre variants (363kg to 367kg) have more on-board payload capacity than the 2022 Isuzu MU-X when towing a 3000kg trailer.
CarAdvice has published two sets of data below. The first set of data is a simplified version that compares the remaining payload of each vehicle when towing at claimed maximum capacity – alongside a column for the remaining payload of each vehicle when towing 3000kg (to compare all vehicles with the same trailer weight).
Detailed data at the bottom of this story shows our calculations – including each vehicle at maximum towing capacity, and each vehicle when towing 3000kg.
We included a 10 per cent downball weight (10 per cent of the overall trailer weight) in our calculations for all towing scenarios, as that is the industry norm.
This detailed data demonstrates why it is important to calculate payload from the Gross Vehicle Mass as well as the theoretical payload figure from the Gross Combination Mass.
As you will see, the payload of some vehicles is restricted by the GVM while others are restricted by the GCM. In some rare instances, some vehicles have identical remaining vehicle payloads in both scenarios.
In the second set of data, the numbers in bold are legal payloads according to our calculations (they get a tick next to them). The other payload figures listed in the second set of data are the theoretical payloads which catch out many people (they get a cross next to them).
If a payload figure has a cross next to it, that's because it exceeds the GCM or GVM (it varies from vehicle to vehicle and can change with trailer weight).
This information is a guide only. We have made every attempt to ensure it is accurate, however it is subject to change by manufacturers without notice.
Be sure to check the details with each manufacturer to find out which vehicles suit your towing and payload needs.
Note: An earlier version of this story published incorrect calculations and the tables have now been amended.
MORE: Everything Isuzu
Payload at max towing capacity | Payload when towing 3000kg | |
2022 Isuzu MU-X | ||
2022 Isuzu MU-X LS-M 4x2 | 315kg when towing 3500kg, restricted by GVM | 365kg, restricted by GVM |
2022 Isuzu MU-X LS-U 4x2 | 290kg when towing 3500kg, restricted by GVM | 340kg, restricted by GVM |
2022 Isuzu MU-X LS-T 4x2 | 265kg when towing 3500kg, restricted by GVM | 315kg, restricted by GVM |
2022 Isuzu MU-X LS-M 4x4 | 265kg when towing 3500kg, restricted by GCM | 365kg, restricted by GVM |
2022 Isuzu MU-X LS-U 4x4 | 245kg when towing 3500kg, restricted by GCM | 345kg, restricted by GVM |
2022 Isuzu MU-X LS-T 4x4 | 225kg when towing 3500kg, restricted by GCM | 325kg, restricted by GVM |
Old Isuzu MU-X | ||
Old Isuzu MU-X LS-M 4x2 | 358kg when towing 3000kg, restricted by GVM | 358kg, restricted by GVM |
Old Isuzu MU-X LS-U 4x2 | 308kg when towing 3000kg, restricted by GVM | 308kg, restricted by GVM |
Old Isuzu MU-X LS-T 4x2 | 288kg when towing 3000kg, restricted by GVM | 288kg, restricted by GVM |
Old Isuzu MU-X LS-M 4x4 | 258kg when towing 3000kg, restricted by GVM | 258kg, restricted by GVM |
Old Isuzu MU-X LS-U 4x4 | 208kg when towing 3000kg, restricted by GVM | 208kg, restricted by GVM |
Old Isuzu MU-X LS-T 4x4 | 193kg when towing 3000kg, restricted by GVM | 193kg, restricted by GVM |
2021 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport | ||
2021 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport GLX five-seat | 420kg when towing 3100kg, restricted by GVM and GCM | 430kg, restricted by GVM |
2021 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport GLS seven-seat | 405kg when towing 3100kg, restricted by GVM and GCM | 415kg, restricted by GVM |
2021 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Exceed seven-seat | 360kg when towing 3100kg, restricted by GVM and GCM | 370kg, restricted by GVM |
2021 Toyota Fortuner | ||
2021 Toyota Fortuner GX | 320kg when towing 3100kg, restricted by GCM | 370kg, restricted by GVM |
2021 Toyota Fortuner GXL | 325kg when towing 3100kg, restricted by GCM | 375kg, restricted by GVM |
2021 Toyota Fortuner Crusade | 295kg when towing 3100kg, restricted by GCM | 345kg, restricted by GVM |
2021 Toyota Prado | ||
2021 Toyota Prado GX five-seat | 450kg when towing 3000kg, restricted by GVM | 450kg, restricted by GVM |
2021 Toyota Prado GX seven-seat | 405kg when towing 3000kg, restricted by GVM | 405kg, restricted by GVM |
2021 Toyota Prado GXL | 405kg when towing 3000kg, restricted by GVM | 405kg, restricted by GVM |
2021 Toyota Prado VX | 385kg when towing 3000kg, restricted by GVM | 385kg, restricted by GVM |
2021 Toyota Prado Kakadu | 340kg when towing 3000kg, restricted by GVM | 340kg, restricted by GVM |
2021 Ford Everest | ||
2021 Ford Everest Ambiente 3.2 RWD | 367kg when towing 3000kg, restricted by GVM | 367kg, restricted by GVM |
2021 Ford Everest Ambiente 3.2 4WD | 416kg when towing 3000kg, restricted by GVM and GCM | 416kg, restricted by GVM and GCM |
2021 Ford Everest Trend/Sport 3.2 4WD | 363kg when towing 3000kg, restricted by GVM and GCM | 363kg, restricted by GVM and GCM |
2021 Ford Everest Trend/Sport 2.0 RWD | 335kg when towing 3100kg, restricted by GVM | 345kg, restricted by GVM |
2021 Ford Everest Trend/Sport 2.0 4WD | 373kg when towing 3100kg, restricted by GVM | 383kg, restricted by GVM |
2021 Ford Everest Titanium 2.0 4WD | 313kg when towing 3100kg, restricted by GVM | 323kg, restricted by GVM |