Overview

ISUZU UTE AUSTRALIA (IUA) has updated its MU-X SUV for 2025, adopting revised safety technologies, a recalibrated suspension tune, refreshed aesthetics, and more features than before.

Further, the MU-X range is now topped by the dark-themed X-Terrain grade, offering what IUA says is the “most advanced level of equipment ever offered in an Isuzu SUV”.

Available from March 1, the facelifted MU-X range is priced from $46,990 drive-away in two-wheel drive LS-M guise, topping out at $73,990 drive-away for the incoming X-Terrain. Limited time national drive-away pricing offers are available across three variants (see full range pricing below).

IUA says updates to its MU-X range resulted from customer and media feedback, further evolving and refining the popular seven-seat SUV.

Visually, the changes include a new-look frontal fascia combining geometric and aeronautical themes, Isuzu’s two-bar grille flanked by redesigned bi-LED headlights, sleeker fog light surrounds, functional aerodynamic detailing, and more chiselled bumper design.

At the rear, the 2025 Isuzu MU-X features a re-profiled bumper and integrated spoiler on LS-U grades and above, all-LED tail-lights, and full-width garnish with smaller ISUZU badging.

Wheel options see the same 17-inch six-spoke alloy continue on the entry LS-M grade, the remainder of the range featuring new alloy wheels ranging from 18- to 20-inches in diameter.

Inside, the MU-X boasts new upholstery and trim garnishing, an updated 4.2-inch or new 7.0-inch digital Multi-Information Display (MID) and new 8.0-inch or 9.0-inch infotainment systems featuring wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Packaging and ergonomics remain unchanged, though improved noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) attenuation improves cabin ambience, along with softer touchpoints across key surfaces, and a new-look steering wheel.

Class leading boot space of 311 litres remains, expanding to 1119 litres in five-seat mode and 2138 litres all told.

For off-road enthusiasts, the MU-X offers an inclinometer and Terrain Command 4x4 modes have been integrated within the infotainment array. IUA says these allow “the ability to view essential systems at a simple tap and swipe of the screen”.

And in speaking of the MU-X’s off-road performance, we find ground clearance of up to 235mm, a wading depth of 800mm, and extensive underbody protection make it “a dependable and competent choice”.

Selectable dual-range 4WD, Rough Terrain mode, a rear differential lock, and up to 29.2 degrees approach, 26.4 degrees break-over, and 23.1 degrees departure angles make the MU-X highly capable right out of the box (visit GoAuto again soon for our off-road test of the new 2025 Isuzu MU-X to learn more).

IUA says its Rough Terrain mode has been refined to now operate across a wider range of surfaces by “precisely modulating brake pressure at individual wheels when slippage occurs”. Shifting drive from the wheel that slips to the wheel that grips, the technology optimises traction in rough terrain with little-to-no loss of momentum.

For 2025, the system now works in tandem with the locking rear differential to “ensure constant mechanical traction”.

IUA says the new MU-X range is its most comprehensive to date with an “expansive choice of ten models, comprising of four different grades”. Engine choices remain as before with 110kW/350Nm 1.9-litre or 140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel units paired with two- and four-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission.

Importantly, Isuzu has upgraded the suspension of the MU-X to offer new dampers with 6.6 per cent larger diameter pistons (+2mm to 32mm) and improved valving. The arrangement is said to provide “improved body control and stability across mid-to-high speed roads and corrugations”.

These changes join safety refinements that include updated tyre pressure monitoring – now with temperature and pressure displays, and beep and turn-signal flash when reinflated to placard pressure – a fourth-generation stereo camera with wider field-of-view for improved ADAS functionality, speed sign activation and Stop & Go functionality (0-140km/h) for the adaptive cruise control system, updated lane keep assist, traffic jam assist, rear cross-traffic brake, welcome headlight, digital reversing camera, and 360-degree camera system.

Those features join carryover safety equipment including eight airbags, autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control with speed limiter, mis-acceleration mitigation, driver attention assist, traffic sign recognition, lane departure and prevention, emergency lane keep, rear cross-traffic alert, trailer sway control, and rear acoustic parking sensors.

Across the grade walk we find equipment highlights quite like those of the outgoing model, with several exceptions.

The entry LS-M grade (from $46,9990 drive-away) now gains intelligent adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, rear cross-traffic brake, welcome headlight and a digital reversing camera, revised Rough Terrain mode (4x4 only), updated polyurethane steering wheel and upholstery, 4.2-inch multi-information display, 8.0-inch infotainment array, three USB-C ports, and the list of technology and styling updates mentioned above.

Paint colour choices include Basalt Black mica, Magnetic Red mica, Mercury Silver metallic, Mineral White, Neptune Blue mica, and Obsidian Grey mica. Pearl, metallic, and mica finishes incur a $695 premium.

For the LS-U grade (from $57,400 plus on-road costs) we find a premium leather-clad steering wheel, piano black cabin garnishing, 7.0-inch multi-information display, 9.0-inch infotainment array, native sat nav, DAB+ digital radio, eight-speaker sound, and four USB-C ports, again in addition to the technology and styling updates mentioned above.

Optional Moonstone White pearl paint (+$695) joins the palette.

The penultimate LS-T variant adds a 360-degree camera system, 20-inch wheels, and leather-accented upholstery alongside black headlining, white LED ambient cabin and footwell lighting, power folding and heated wing mirrors, aluminium side steps, and gloss black styling elements, including around the window frames.

Finally, the newly added MU-X X-Terrain (from $73,990 drive-away) adds 20-inch gloss black and smoked clear coat alloy wheels, leather accented upholstery with red and grey stitching, red LED ambient cabin and footwell lighting, lowered side skits and rear underbody spoiler, X-Terrain badging, and an optional Slate Grey paint colour in addition to Basalt Black, Mercury Silver, and Moonstone White.

The X-Terrain grade further offers what IUA says is a “dark and bold aesthetic” with unique grille, fog light bezels, and fender flares – all finished in gloss black – and gloss black trim garnishing. Inside, the black and red theming extends to not only the upholstery and garnishing but also the 7.0-inch multi-information display screen.

The Isuzu MU-X remains backed by IUA’s Service Plus customer care program including a six-year/150,000-kilometre warranty, up to seven years’ roadside assistance, and flat price servicing guarantee.

Service intervals are pegged at 12 months or 15,000km (whichever comes first) with the first five years of maintenance priced at $469 per visit.

Driving Impressions

While aesthetic changes to the MU-X might be hard to spot, the improvements under the skin and inside the cabin are more worthy than the headlines might suggest.

Upon driving the 2025 Isuzu MU-X in city, rural, highway, and off-road settings – and with one mother of a caravan in tow – it’s obvious the refinements to the chassis and Rough Terrain technologies have vastly improved the much-loved formula.

The MU-X feels more stable at higher speeds, managing directional changes with SUV-like finesse. In short, it simply doesn’t feel like a ute-based four-wheel drive. Less road shock is transmitted to the cabin, the vehicle soaking up the most challenging potholes gracefully, even on the 20-inch wheels found on higher grade models.

It’s a welcomed improvement that now brings the ride and handling of the MU-X even closer to the likes of the Ford Everest and Toyota LandCruiser Prado. Interestingly, we think Isuzu’s competitor feels even better than the former off-road, too, traversing scrabbly and rutted surfaces without quavering.

Of course, the MU-X doesn’t offer the same driveline flexibility and performance as the V6-powered Everest and is a margin behind the response of Toyota’s newly launched 250-series LandCruiser Prado. While the engine is certainly ample for most scenarios – including heavy off-road work and towing – it is not as eager to downshift and accelerate as its primary rivals.

The trade-off of course is Isuzu’s renowned longevity – and outstanding fuel economy. On test, we saw figures as low as 7.6 litres per 100km on the open road and 14.2L/100km when towing close to 2700kg. These are numbers that are hard to replicate elsewhere and come without the disadvantage of a tank of AdBlue every other fill.

Off-road, and straight out of the box, the Isuzu MU-X is impressively capable. It dispenses deep ruts and steep grades with barely a sniff, the improved Rough Terrain distributing torque (by brake) across the front axle while a mechanical differential lock assists the rear.

Over broken surfaces (and even on 20-inch highway biased tyres!) the combination allowed easy progress with very little wheelspin. Traction is found almost instantaneously as the MU-X works to claw its way over shaley ground, impressing both veteran and novice four-wheel drivers gathered for the model’s Australian media launch.

As has long been the case with the Isuzu offering, the steering assistance is sensibly weighted for the mixed usage the vehicle will face. It pairs well with sensible ergonomics to give a sense of involvement when wheeling off road or towing a load but is light enough to make day-to-day driving a far from burdensome task.

Braking is competent and the pedal well metered.

Coupling the dynamic abilities of the updated MU-X with a quieter and more tech-savvy cabin brought even more cause for applause. The digital instrumentation and easy-to-navigate infotainment array lacks only for the want of connected car (remote access) services.

The infotainment system provides decent audio performance, highly useful 360-degree camera technology, and the screen is not affected by glare, something we think those with a love of long-distance touring are bound to appreciate.

Less likely to be appreciated is a ‘gremlin’ we discovered in the adaptive cruise control (ACC) system.

The newly revised ACC technology faltered on test, slowing insufficiently in heavy traffic and relying on emergency braking (AEB) and driver intervention to come to a stop. It was a scenario that occurred in normal driving (stop-start freeway conditions) with ACC active, and was not one we could replicate in subsequent assessment.

While isolated, the situation did raise an eyebrow and is one that could have caught an unaware driver out (fortunately we always drive with a foot covering the brake).

That rather awkward misstep aside, we found the Isuzu MU-X quite hard to fault.

It’s an excellent all-rounder that offers family-friendly packaging, capable towing abilities, and exceptional dynamic performance both on and off the beaten track.

As a rival to the Ford Everest, (almost retired) Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, Toyota Fortuner and LandCruiser Prado, the MU-X is a solid offering that will no doubt continue to sell in droves – and one that certainly has a lot more to offer than meets the eye.