The Isuzu mu-X is like an unassuming person that can actually do everything 

It’s been a few years since Isuzu Philippines launched the current second generation (third if you include the Alterra) mu-X midsize SUV, launching in 2021 as a 2022 model. Since its initial launch, it has seen two refreshes, with the latest one being its biggest. 

While it may not enjoy as much popularity in a segment dominated by the Toyota Fortuner and Mitsubishi Montero Sport, it still maintains a good following especially from the Japanese commercial vehicle manufacturer’s loyalists.

We recently got the chance to experience what the midsize SUV currently has to offer in a very high-demand segment during a quick three-day drive on the beautiful island of Palawan.

We started our trip flying out of Manila to the provincial capital Puerto Princesa. After a quick and smooth one hour hop to the overcast city, a fleet of various Isuzu mu-Xs welcomed us at the airport parking lot, which we’ll take to the nearby Ka Joel’s Restaurant first for lunch.

Assigned to us for this drive was mu-X No. 5 which was interestingly an older 2024 top-spec 3.0 LS-E 4×4 model already with 29,086km on the odometer. Thankfully not much has changed when it comes to mechanicals so we can expect the same driving experience as the newer ones

After a quick lunch and drive briefing, we were off on our 275km, five-hour drive to the Seda Lio in El Nido. We’ll be going through some open wide straight and twisty roads, ones that I’ve driven on before and love, and barely have any other road traffic.

I was a rear passenger for the first leg of the drive. Amenities at the back include dual USB ports, a pair of air vents, and a household power socket. Space is also really good for someone like me standing at 5’7”. 

I’ve driven this route a couple of times before and while the roads are all wide and paved, they are on the bumpier side which allows the mu-X to flex its ride quality.

Every imperfection on the road was very well absorbed, and as a passenger, you could feel that body roll was just right for a pickup-based SUV. NVH insulation was also excellent. Compared to rival models, noise from the water-soaked roads barely came into the cabin, while tire noise was not loud as well. 

All these contribute to the mu-X being one of the better options in the segment if you’re not driving. Pair that with the very comfortable seats, then you get me sleeping for a good one hour and missing out on some scenic views along the way.

My only real qualm about it is its infotainment system which is not the global unit used in other markets and is instead locally sourced. While the size is okay, and the interface has been updated and is slightly better and easy to navigate, it doesn’t exactly look the best and it also affects the audio quality for the eight-speaker sound system.

The 360-degree camera system and blindspot cameras paired with it is also on the lower end when it comes to resolution. Basically, everything on the screen screams aftermarket which I am not a fan of.

With 68km to go, it was finally my turn to drive. That doesn’t sound like a lot but that’s a lot when driving on provincial highways.

Of course, under the hood of our assigned Isuzu mu-X LS-E 4×4 is the tried-and-tested 3.0-liter 4JJ3-TCX four-cylinder turbodiesel engine which is capable of 190 horsepower and 450Nm of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. 

This is also still what powers the heavily-revised version of this SUV which means you can expect similar, if not the same driving dynamics.

This powertrain may not be the most powerful in the segment, but it offers one of the better performance you can get. Power and torque delivery are what you’d expect from a larger-displacement engine, and it’s very smooth.

Refinement is a huge plus here. While the engine sounds like a true diesel, it doesn’t feel that way and there is still a certain smoothness from the way it sounds instead of just sounding like a truck.

Isuzu does have the newer RZ4F-TC turbodiesel that’s 2.2-liters in size with an eight-speed automatic transmission. I’m genuinely curious at how this one drives, especially since it could replace the 4JJ3 engine once the Euro 5 fuel standard becomes mandatory in our market. 

Isuzu even had the Dragon Max concept at this year’s Bangkok International Motor Show which was equipped with that engine, and was tuned to 220 horses and 550Nm, besting some of the mu-X’s rivals. 

Going back to what we have, the hydraulic power-assisted steering is always godsent as it makes taking on the continuous winding roads much easier. You will always know where the vehicle is headed and feedback is very well transferred from the wheels to you.

Forget about the comfort of having light electric power assisted-steering on newer vehicles and even with the newer Isuzu mu-X from other markets. On long drives, old-school hydraulic power steering will always reign supreme.

As for active safety, the LS-E variants of the current generation Isuzu mu-X have always been equipped with the brand’s advanced driver assist systems which we’ve tried out many times before.

Now, we did not get the chance to drive the newer Isuzu mu-X which was only launched a few months ago locally. At least we got to tinker with it for a bit after some R&R in El Nido.

The exterior is almost completely new, sporting a more aggressive front fascia which Isuzu says is inspired by fighter jets. 

There’s a more angular front bumper, larger front grille, and new Dynamic Blade headlights. The side profile is largely similar except for a new design for the 20-inch alloy wheels, while towards the back are new LED taillights with an arrow-shaped lighting signature. The rear bumper has also been given a sporty redesign.

It hasn’t changed much inside. Silver trim has been replaced by black, new is a seven-inch digital instrument cluster which works similarly as the older 4.2-inch display on the pre-refresh versions, mood lighting, and USB-C charging ports. 

Isuzu has also for some reason omitted the passenger-side dashboard storage area (which many buyers in the segment appreciate) in favor of additional soft-touch materials which improve the premium feel of the interior. 

Other than that it still has the same black leather seat upholstery (just with a new pattern), infotainment screen that could use some improvement as mentioned earlier, and everything else.

The Isuzu mu-X 3.0 LS-E 4×4’s asking price of Php 2,670,000 might stray some buyers away especially since it is the most expensive in the midsize pickup-based SUV segment, but that’s not to say that it isn’t worth it.

Remember that the current generation mu-X is part of the new generation of midsize pickup platform SUVs, together with the Ford Everest. It brings together all the strengths of its rivals, from the driving experience, comfort, capability, safety features, and most importantly durability, all in one package. 

The Isuzu mu-X in a group of friends is that one unassuming and mysterious person, that same person who isn’t a show off and doesn’t speak much, but is surprisingly capable of doing anything and everything.

Photos by Julian Panlilio