A few months after the Isuzu MU-X made its launch debut in Thailand, it is now time for Malaysia to welcome the updated seven-seater, body-on-frame SUV. Two variants are offered here – 2.5L 4×2 AT and 2.5L 4×4 AT. Revisions start with the MU-X’s styling, which now comes with new bumpers front and rear, with the former featuring redesigned fog lamp enclosures (now with more chrome) and a grille design.

Also new are the LED headlights (previously halogen projectors) that are paired together with LED daytime running lights and LED light guides within a redesigned housing. The rear taillight clusters retain their same shape, but they gain new graphics and LED guides within them to better match the changes happening up front.


Rounding off the list of exterior changes is a more prominent spoiler mounted on the roof, along with 18-inch alloy wheels (with 255/60 tyres). The new set is larger than what is fitted to the pre-facelift MU-X variants that featured 16- and 17-inch units. The only way to tell the two variants apart is the radio antenna – shark-fin type on the four-wheel drive model and bee-sting type on the 2.5L 4×2 AT.

Moving inside, the MU-X has been made to provide a more upmarket feel than before, introducing soft-touch plastics and faux wood trim in several areas. Elsewhere, the three-spoke steering wheel gets a new emboss pattern; there’s a new look for the instrument cluster; and new quilted pattern for the beige leather seats, with all these being standard on both variants.


Other shared items include an e-LUMAX multi-info display, automatic climate control with second and third row vents, and keyless entry and start (previously available only on the higher-spec MU-X). For the 2.5L 4×2 AT variant, a double-DIN seven-inch touchscreen head unit is standard, with AUX, USB, iPod and Bluetooth inputs. On the other hand, the range-topping 2.5L 4×4 AT gets a larger eight-inch unit, roof-mounted rear monitor and HDMI input, and retains the same number of speakers at eight.

Under the hood, the the 4JK1-TCX 2.5 litre turbodiesel continues to be of service here, with outputs rated at 136 PS at 3,400 rpm and 320 Nm of torque at 1,800 to 2,800 rpm. As the variant name denotes, the four-wheel drive MU-X also gets Isuzu’s Terrain Command 4WD System.


The engine continues to be paired with a five-speed automatic transmission (with sequential shift) instead of a six-speed auto in the Thailand-spec MU-X. All MU-X variants are equipped as standard with electronic stability control (ESC), traction control, ABS with EBD, brake assist, hill start assist and six airbags (front, side and curtain). A new addition here is hill descent control.

We come to pricing, with the 2.5L 4×2 AT kicking things off at RM 176,640.40, followed by the 2.5L 4×4 AT at RM 183,000.40. There are four exterior body colours available – Havana Brown Mica, Silky White Pearl, Cosmic Black Mica and Titanium Silver Metallic – the first two being new to the MU-X here.