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2022 Isuzu mu-X 3.0 LS-A AT Review

It's a great pick for those looking for a powerful and reliable SUV with an Isuzu badge tied to it.

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2022 Isuzu mu-X LS-A 4x2 AT
Contents

When the Isuzu mu-X first entered the Philippine market a few years ago, it was an instant hit for Isuzu Philippines as buyers flocked to get their hands on the 7-seater turbo diesel SUV. It was considered the successor to the Alterra and was known to be a reliable, versatile, and multi-functional vehicle. Isuzu would later give the mu-X several facelifts in its model life span with upgrades to the exterior, interior, features, and even to its engine performance giving it more power under the hood.

For its latest version, Isuzu has given the mu-X a complete model change giving it new looks, new features, better safety, and of course a bit of a boost in performance. With its new looks and new feature set along with its new variant, can the mu-X still prove to bit a hit for Isuzu Philippines, especially now that its price has gone up a bit and that the LS-A is no longer the top-of-the-line variant?

Find out as we take a closer look at the Isuzu mu-X 3.0 LS-A 4x2 AT, the new mid variant of the popular SUV nameplate. 

4.0 / 5
2022 Isuzu mu-X 3.0 LS-A AT Review
Performance
Engine Output (HP), Acceleration, Transmission, Handling 4.5/5
Design
Exterior & Interior Design, Quality, Fit and Finish, Ergonomics 4.0/5
Ride Comfort
Cabin Comfort, Suspension, NVH Insulation 4.0/5
Safety and Technology
Convenience Technologies, Active and Passive Safety Features 3.5/5
Value for Money
Amount of the vehicle you get for the price, Fuel Efficiency 4.0/5
What You Will Like
  • Frugal diesel engine
  • An improved ride
  • Lighter steering compared to its previous version
What You Won't Like
  • No cruise control
  • No leather seats
  • Piano black plastics
How We Do Our Reviews
Isuzu mu-X LS-A 4x2 AT exterior rear quarter
Isuzu mu-X LS-A 4x2 AT exterior front quarter
Isuzu mu-X LS-A 4x2 AT exterior front

As this is the all-new Isuzu mu-X, the SUV comes with all-new styling. It still maintains an aggressive front fascia, but this time around, the Japanese automaker has decided to integrate more curves into its look. The end isn’t as angular as the previous model and its grille isn’t as dominating compared to its competitors. It does still come with bi-LED headlights which are great on the road along with LED foglights. While the headlights are good in actual foggy conditions, the foglights get lost which makes it hard to see.

Moving over to the side and the mu-X comes with 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels with a dark sliver aluminum finish. They aren’t as large as the 20-inch wheels available on the LS-E but they work well to complement the overall look of the SUV. It does also come with roof rails and repeaters on the side mirror.

At the back, the Isuzu mu-X LS-A comes with a broad rear with a large tailgate and angular taillights. The taillights are nearly clear which complements the car well especially if it's in silver. The reverse lights like the previous model are still found on the lower section of the bumper and are a nice call back to the older model. Just as a side note, the Isuzu one tank challenge decals don’t come with the car as standard and were put there for the video shoot of the vehicle.

Isuzu mu-X LS-A 4x2 AT interior dashboard
Isuzu mu-X LS-A 4x2 AT interior rear seats
Isuzu mu-X LS-A 4x2 AT interior cargo space

Despite this being the middle trim level of the Isuzu mu-X, its cabin remains to be plush and premium. Its high dashboard makes use of its layout and design very well and the same can be said for the use of its high-quality plastics and interior trim. The dashboard still utilizes analog gauges but the instrument cluster does come with a small digital display. At the center of it all is a massive 10.1-inch infotainment system that is clear and easy to use. Isuzu knows have to set up an infotainment system, especially for those who are interested in music as the tunability of the speakers is above and beyond what you would expect from vehicles of its class. 

One thing we do have to point out is there are shiny plastics found near the climate controls and gear shifters which can be scratch magnets. Aside from this, the SUV in this trim does not come with leather seats, which is fine especially as it feels a bit more utilitarian compared to the LS-E model. That said, the seats are still comfortable and won’t fatigue you on long drives. It also helps that the SUV comes with dual-zone auto climate control with a pollen filter which is great for keeping everyone cool and comfortable even in the summer. 

Isuzu mu-X LS-A 4x2 AT interior driver's seat

The Isuzu mu-X LS-A has improved in terms of comfort over the previous version. Despite it not having leather seats anymore, the ones present as still very much comfortable and supportive. Thanks to the cloth material it cools much more easily compared to the leather seats found in the older model. While the previous LS-A had power-adjustable seats this version, unfortunately, does not and it's understandable given its new position within the mu-X variant hierarchy. 

As for its ride comfort, it is also a great improvement over the previous version. The mu-X still has a bit of a bumpy ride even when fully loaded but you can easily feel what the tires and suspension components are doing at all times. You can feel that Isuzu wants the tires to be planted on the ground at all times so you get the grip when you need it.

NVH is still pretty good with road noise being kept to a minimum until about 80km/h when it starts to creep in. The engine noise is also kept to a minimum on the highway but when you start to overtake then you can hear and feel the engine come alive. Overall great comfort with better refinement over its predecessor, you can still tell its a diesel but that's fine for an Isuzu vehicle. 

Isuzu mu-X LS-A 4x2 AT interior infotainment system

In terms of technology, the Isuzu mu-X comes with a  10.1-inch infotainment system that also doubles as a monitor for your reserve camera. Using it is simple and easy with you being able to enter the menus you want with ease. Connecting via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is also an easy experience with the mu-X as it's almost like plug-and-play. Of course, you still have to set up this feature on your phone but once it works, it works well with little to no lag depending on your phone. 

Isuzu mu-X LS-A 4x2 AT interior airbag

For its safety features, the Isuzu mu-X 3.0 LS-A 4x2 AT comes with dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, brake assist, brake override system, stability control, traction control, hill start assist, and hill descent control. It also comes with a front skid plate, an oil pan guard, a fuel tank protector, reverse sensors, and a rear-view camera. While its standard features are great as they are, additional airbags would have been better especially if you are looking to buy the mu-X as your next family car. While the two airbags are good more would have been better.

Isuzu mu-X LS-A 4x2 AT exterior wheels

Driving the Isuzu mu-X is a pretty easy task especially as the Japanese automaker has made the steering feel a bit lighter compared to the older model. It still has some weight to it but it's not that heavy to the point that it ends up being a workout to maneuver it. 

Power delivery is smooth and the 3.0-liter puts the power to the ground well. The transmission if left alone to do its thing will quickly and smoothly shift up and down when you need it to, but if you try it out in manual mode, that's when it becomes a bit sluggish.

Handling for the SUV is pretty good with it being able to handle its weight. Taking on corners at speed, especially when merging onto the highway is easy thanks to the power that it has and the vehicle remains stable throughout. There is a bit of body roll present but it's all very much manageable. 

Isuzu mu-X 3.0 LS-A 4x2 AT engine bay

Under the hood, the Isuzu mu-X is powered by a 3.0-liter turbo diesel engine that produces 187 hp and 450 Nm of torque. Power is sent to the ground via a 6-speed automatic transmission. Driving the Isuzu mu-X normally will grant you a smooth shifting experience, however, if you need to speed up expect a bit of a push as once the turbo hits boost you will find yourself rocketing forward. It's not a sports car fast and if you are gentle on the throttle power will come in linearly which is great for normal driving. Overall, the improved power of the mu-X is a welcomed addition as the previous version only had average numbers compared to its competitors from its time. 

For its fuel economy in the city, we were able to get 10km/L in realistic traffic conditions, and on the highway, we were able to get 16.7km/L traveling at an average speed of 90km/h without cruise control. All in all, we were able to travel 450km on just half a tank of diesel which is great in terms of range. However, it is important to note that the mu-X does come with an 80-liter gas tank which is one of the biggest in its class. This means that while the SUV is fuel efficient and you can go far with it, it can be expensive to fill up, especially with the fluctuating gas prices of today.

Isuzu mu-X 3.0 LS-A 4x2 AT exterior rear quarter

The Isuzu mu-X 3.0 LS-A is a great vehicle to consider if you want a reliable and fuel-efficient daily driver that is also a great family car. The SUV has proved itself to be great on long road trips as the 3.0-liter just sips away at the diesel. It makes good use of it and we think that its power output is just right for a vehicle of its size and weight. While it is priced below the P2-million mark (P1.9 million) which can be quite a big ask for those looking for an SUV many other offers within that price range also being attractive. The mu-X sets itself apart from the likes of the Mitsubishi Montero Sport, Nissan Terra, and Toyota Hilux by having the same or more horsepower than its competitors and bringing to the table its frugal engine with its known reliability. 

Overall, the Isuzu mu-X is a great car for fans of the automaker who want to get a new SUV. it's a great improvement over its predecessor and now comes with many of the new features buyers are looking for. It may no longer come with the leather seats or the DVD screen in the back but the vehicle is a bit more refined now and a bit more premium in feel compared to the previous version which was more utilitarian-oriented. 

Isuzu mu-x 3.0 LS-A AT exterior front quarter
Isuzu mu-x 3.0 LS-A AT exterior front
Isuzu mu-x 3.0 LS-A AT exterior rear quarter +5
Isuzu mu-x 3.0 LS-A AT interior charging ports
Isuzu mu-x 3.0 LS-A AT interior gauge cluster
Isuzu mu-x 3.0 LS-A AT interior front passenger +15

Specifications

Engine

3.0 L

Fuel Type

Diesel

Performance

187 hp @ 3,600 rpm

Transmission

Automatic

Summary

Name Isuzu mu-X 3.0 4x2 LS-A AT
Body Type SUV
Price ₱1,945,000
Transmission Category Automatic

Engine

Performance

Economy & Environment

Dimensions

Safety & Security

Features

Technology

Colors

Isuzu mu-X Mercury Silver Mercury Silver
Isuzu mu-X Onyx Black Onyx Black
Isuzu mu-X Satin Pearl White Satin Pearl White
Isuzu mu-X Splash White Splash White
Isuzu mu-X Norwegian Blue Norwegian Blue

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