Isuzu has expanded the 2024 MU-X range with a smaller, 1.9L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel engine. But what about towing? Does it still hold up?
The Isuzu MU-X and D-MAX range have always been a bit of a value-oriented (and, dare I say, underrated) option in Australia. In fact, they pride themselves on being able to offer utes and SUVs that are competitive with anything else on the market while allowing for significant savings to the old bank balance.
Those savings are now being extended to the fuel bowser, with the MU-X being the latest to receive the new 1.9L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel, which may be tiny but is being marketed as pretty darn mighty as well.
The tried and tested 3.0L turbo deezy is still available for a couple grand more, and the usual variants are still in place for those who look for the finer things in a new vehicle. But the shift towards a newer, smaller and more efficient engine is certainly an interesting move for the brand.
Is the new Isuzu MU-X 2024 for you? Let’s take a look at the deets
Mod-cons and price tags
As with previous models, the MU-X starts with the LS-M as the base model, the LS-U kicks things up a notch, while the LS-X is for those with champagne tastes on a-pretty-decent-sparkling-wine-from-Aldi budget. Both the 1.9L and 3.0L are available across all models, along with the option (in the base and mid-spec vehicles) to have a Bluetooth front diff and get around in 2WD-only if driving off the blacktop is not your brand of whimsy.
The base model LS-M really does have a fair chunk of modern convenience built in. Expect things like Intelligent Driver Assist System, 17in rims, a 7in infotainment screen and LED headlights.
Stepping up to the LS-U nets you 18in alloys, a 9in screen and a remote hands-free tailgate if you’re into impressing your kids with your Harry Potter ‘Alohamora’ skills.
Up at the pointy end of the scale, the LS-X give you 20in rollers, leather 8-way electric butt-huggers and a remote start feature for those times when you need the AC to be cold as soon as you jump in.
Arr-arr-pees Isuzu MU-X 2024 (exc. on-roads):
For more details on the Isuzu MUX 2024 range, click HERE
Engine choice
Ok, so when we say ‘choice’ you still have to pick a diesel, 4-cylinder and turbocharged engine, but from there things go pretty separate directions. We all know and love the 3.0L by now. It’s a great workhorse that’s reliable, relatively economical, overengineered and under-stressed. Just what you want in a tow rig, really.
But let’s talk about the 1.9L. For its size, it puts out some pretty darn impressive numbers, with 110kW and 350NM of torque. For reference, that’s more than the 1HZ 4.2L six-cylinder Land Cruiser engines that are still sold in some countries. Not bad for less than half the capacity.
It’s also important to note that the RZ4E-TC (that’s the engine code, my cat didn’t walk across the keyboard) puts those 350NM down at a hair over a quarter of its total torque band, and 85% of the max. torque is available at over 79% of the band – which essentially means you’re getting all the grunt across a greater rev range. This should be great for carrying a load as well as just performance and driveability in general.
Yeah, it’s still a chunk less power than the 3.0L, which puts out 140kW and 100 extra Newtons, but for a zippy, reliable and perhaps most importantly, frugal vehicle that’s big enough for the kids and a Saturday-morning run to Bunnings it’s difficult to argue with. By the way, the LS-M 1.9L also has a payload of up to 735kg (about 100kg more than a Fortuner), and Isuzu even reckons that you can get north of 1000km from the 80L tank in the 1.9L, which you have to admit is better than decent.
Yeah, but what about towing?
This is where the smaller engine falls down somewhat. Maximum braked pulling capacity on the 1.9L is 3000kg vs 3500kg for the 3.0L, and GCM is 5500kg vs. 5900kg respectively. Basically this means you’re probably limited to a fold-out camper trailer or a smaller hybrid (not necessarily a bad thing by any means), but it’s still a fairly gutsy little engine. Again, not to pick on the Land Cruiser, but keep in mind the early 80 Series was limited to 2500kg towing capacity, so the little jigger stacks up pretty well overall.
GVM for the 1.9L is dependent on whether it’s two or four-wheel drive, with the figures being 2700kg and 2800kg, respectively.
Look, it’s not going to pull your 25-foot van across the Nullabor, but that’s not what it’s built for. It’s built to be a cheap, safe and capable SUV that can handle light to medium-duty work and towing duties without drama. Given there’s a strong trend for increasingly smaller engines on the quest for ever-smaller fuel bills and more economical motoring, this may well be what a lot of folks are looking for.
