2021 Isuzu MU-X price and specs

The 2021 Isuzu MU-X has arrived in Australia at last, with the new-generation large SUV to go on sale locally on August 2.

On sale in Isuzu showrooms 11 months (and one day) after the new D-Max ute, the all-new MU-X brings more contemporary styling, an overhauled interior, wider active safety suite, and more power – but a higher price tag to match.

Recommended retail prices (before on-road costs) are up by as much as $9800 (for the two-wheel-drive LS-T) – however, sharp drive-away offers run from early 2020 for the outgoing model (long before it entered its run-out phase) see the real-world price rises extend into five digits on many variants.

Isuzu is offering an introductory drive-away price for the flagship MU-X LS-T 4x4 of $63,990 drive-away – confusingly, $2000 less than the RRP before on-road costs – which compares to the $54,990 drive-away offer advertised for the outgoing LS-T 4x4 in early 2020.

As before, three model grades are available – LS-M, LS-U and LS-T – across two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive layouts.

All models are powered by a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine shared with the D-Max ute, sending 140kW and 450Nm (from 1600-2600rpm) to the rear or all wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission – up 10kW and 20Nm over the outgoing MU-X.

Braked towing capacity is rated at 3500kg across the range (up 500kg), while gross vehicle mass (GVM) and gross combination mass (GCM) have increased to 2800kg and 5900kg respectively.

Claimed combined fuel consumption ranges from 7.8 to 8.3 litres per 100 kilometres, depending on variant. Diesel is stored in an 80-litre tank – a 23 per cent increase over the outgoing model – enabling a claimed driving range of 1026km in 4x2 variants (or 964km in 4x4 models).

Off the tarmac road, the new Isuzu MU-X claims 235mm of ground clearance beneath the flagship LS-T, plus approach, departure and ramp-over angles of 29.2, 26.4 and 23.1 degrees respectively for this variant.

Two-wheel-drive high-range, four-wheel-drive high-range and four-wheel-drive low-range modes are available, plus an 800mm wading depth rating and, on 4x4 models, a locking rear differential and Rough Terrain Mode off-road drive setting.

Opening the model range is the MU-X LS-M, priced from $47,900 before on-road costs in two-wheel-drive guise, or $53,900 before on-road costs in four-wheel-drive form.

Standard equipment includes cloth upholstery, seven seats, automatic bi-LED headlights, a 7.0-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, push-button start, rear parking sensors, 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tyres, and a wide active safety suite. A full standard equipment list can be found at the bottom of this story.

Stepping up to the MU-X LS-U – priced from $53,900 before on-road costs in 4x2 form, or $59,900 before on-road costs with 4x4 – adds niceties including a larger 9.0-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation, 18-inch wheels with highway-terrain tyres, front parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, leather steering wheel and shifter, keyless entry, and a power tailgate.

Sitting atop the range is the MU-X LS-T – priced from $59,900 before on-road costs in two-wheel-drive guise, or $65,900 before on-road costs in four-wheel-drive form (or $63,990 drive-away at launch) – which adds 20-inch wheels, quilted leather-accented upholstery, heated front seats, an electric driver's seat, tyre pressure monitoring, ambient LED cabin lighting, and more.

Available colours include Mineral White, Basalt Black Mica, Mercury Silver Metallic, Obsidian Grey Mica, Magnetic Red Mica, Cobalt Blue Mica and, on LS-U and LS-T models, Jasper Brown Mica and Moonstone White Pearl.

A six-year/150,000km warranty is standard, plus up to seven years of roadside assistance (when serviced through Isuzu Ute dealers) and seven years of capped-price servicing, spread across 12-month/15,000km intervals (for a total cost of $3373 across the period).

The first customer examples of the 2021 Isuzu MU-X are arriving at Australian dealers now, ahead of the vehicle's official sales launch on August 2 (as a Model Year 2021 vehicle).

Note: All prices above exclude on-road costs, unless stated otherwise.