/ Review

Review: 2018 Isuzu mu-X 1.9 RZ4E 4x2 LS-A Blue Power

Small high-output engine with frugal fuel economy figures? Check.

Autodeal
2018 Isuzu mu-X 1.9 RZ4E

Adding options for car-buyers is a great move for a brand, as it gives the consumers choices that will fit to their wants and needs. Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) recognizes that and brings in the mu-X 1.9 RZ4E to the local showrooms. Its arrival came just in time, as it’s bound to replace the non-Euro 4-compliant 2.5 variants in IPC’s lineup.

Those who are shopping for a mu-X are now facing a tough choice — should they go for more power with the 3.0 or the smaller but more frugal 1.9? If you’re eyeing the latter, IPC gave us the chance to review both its manual and automatic transmission LS-A variants before its official launch. Here are our thoughts.

3.8 / 5
Review: 2018 Isuzu mu-X 1.9 RZ4E 4x2 LS-A Blue Power
Performance
Engine Output (HP), Acceleration, Transmission, Handling 4.0/5
Design
Exterior & Interior Design, Quality, Fit and Finish, Ergonomics 4.0/5
Ride Comfort
Cabin Comfort, Suspension, NVH Insulation 3.5/5
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
  • Better fuel efficiency than its 3.0 counterpart.
  • Notable ride comfort.
  • Good pricing.
What You Won't Like
  • Steering feel is still heavy.
  • Scratchy piano black accents.
  • Road noise isolation can be improved.
How We Do Our Reviews
2018 Isuzu mu-X 1.9 RZ4E front quarter
2018 Isuzu mu-X 1.9 RZ4E side
2018 Isuzu mu-X 1.9 RZ4E rear quarter +6

Outside, the mu-X 1.9 RZ4E is identical to the 3.0 Blue Power variant we reviewed last year. From the bi-LED projector headlamps to LED daytime running lights to chrome accents to roof rails to 18-inch rims — everything’s there, even IPC’s 20th Anniversary badge at the back. In fact, when you see these two variants side-by-side on the road, you won’t be able to tell the difference.

This is advantageous to you as a buyer, as there won’t be any exterior design wager if you’re on the dilemma of choosing between the 1.9 and 3.0 Blue Power mu-Xs. Like, if you want LED lighting instead of halogen ones, you can choose either of the two.

2018 Isuzu mu-X 1.9 RZ4E power-adjustable side mirrors
2018 Isuzu mu-X 1.9 RZ4E interior badge
2018 Isuzu mu-X 1.9 RZ4E front cabin +15

However, you have to sacrifice something when you go inside the midsize SUV. The mu-X RZ4E doesn’t have cruise control, which is pretty handy if you go through highways regularly. The seats are also clad with intricately-designed fabric, as opposed to the leather upholstery of the current 3.0. On the upside, that’s less heat when the car’s left on a sunny parking lot. They’re not power-adjustable as well, but that’s just a small convenience taken away.

Everything else inside the 1.9 mu-X is basically the same, even the 10-inch roof-mounted LCD monitor for videos, which is good since the somehow-premium feel of the current model is still there. And yes, the scratchy piano black accents are also there as well.

2018 Isuzu mu-X 1.9 RZ4E 2nd row seats
2018 Isuzu mu-X 1.9 RZ4E 2nd row cupholders
2018 Isuzu mu-X 1.9 RZ4E USB port +9

We just wish the heavy-steering feel of the 3.0L was corrected. It’s a bit of a workout sometimes, especially when maneuvering through tight city streets. Good thing, other things are retained like the mu-X’s superb ride comfort, roof-mounted air-conditioning vents, and the massive cabin space.

Now, the USB ports for charging? Well, it’s still lonely at the second row and non-existent at the third. Guess rear passengers have to resolve to power banks for road trips.

2018 Isuzu mu-X 1.9 RZ4E engine block
2018 Isuzu mu-X 1.9 RZ4E engine
2018 Isuzu mu-X 1.9 RZ4E engine turbo

Let’s go to the juicy part. Of course, the biggest change in the 2018 mu-X Blue Power is the all-new 1.9L RZ4E-TC turbodiesel engine.  We know what you’re thinking — small engine means less power and with the mu-X’s massive size, the measly 1,898cc mill can only give so much.

Well, you’re wrong.

The all-new engine produces 148 hp and 350 Nm of torque — that’s even more than what the outgoing 2.5 variant can produce. Best part of it, that 350 Nm of pulling power is accessible right off the bat at 1,800 rpm. Nice.

2018 Isuzu mu-X 1.9 RZ4E running
2018 Isuzu mu-X 1.9 RZ4E running side
2018 Isuzu mu-X 1.9 RZ4E running rear

The numbers on the spec sheet translate well during the actual drive on the road. Although less powerful than the 3.0 variant, the 1.9 RZ4E can pull itself nicely on high-speed runs and even on tough inclines. Take note, though, that we didn’t maximize its interior capacity during our test runs: just three people inside, plus boatloads of camera equipment. We’re sure it’s going to be a different story when the car is filled with seven passengers and their luggage.

I also like the midsize SUV’s braking power. The ventilated disc brakes in the front and at the back give more-than-enough force for the driver to feel safe even at high-speed runs. Moreover, brake override system (BOS) is added to the newest mu-X to avoid malfunction when the brake and accelerator pedals are simultaneously stepped on.

2018 Isuzu mu-X 1.9 RZ4E manual
2018 Isuzu mu-X 1.9 RZ4E manual front
2018 Isuzu mu-X 1.9 RZ4E manual side

As previously mentioned, the 1.9 mu-X LS-A is available in both manual and automatic 6-speed transmissions. For those who love driving stick, that is IPC’s nod for you.

The manual variant feels like your average stick shift vehicle — smooth shifting and easy to get to the next gear. Its clutch pedal isn’t that deep as well, so driving through traffic isn’t that tiring. It even has a shift indicator at the instrument clusters that tells you when you already need to upshift.

2018 Isuzu mu-X 1.9 RZ4E manual cabin
2018 Isuzu mu-X 1.9 RZ4E manual interior
2018 Isuzu mu-X 1.9 RZ4E manual pedals

On the other hand, the automatic slushbox works smoothly. What I’ve noticed is that it immediately wants to get out of the lower gears, which is really great for fuel efficiency.

With that said, the mu-X 1.9 produced notable fuel economy figures for both manual and automatic variants. City crawls for MT read 8.2 km/l, while faster pace at 60 km/h and highway cruise at 90 km/h registered 14.1 km/l and 17.9 km/l, respectively. The AT variant put out similar, albeit a bit higher, numbers: 8.6 km/l for city, 14.9 km/l for fast paces, and 18.2 km/l for highway runs.

2018 Isuzu mu-X 1.9 RZ4E headlamps
2018 Isuzu mu-X 1.9 RZ4E taillights
2018 Isuzu mu-X 1.9 RZ4E side mirrors +5

With all things considered, the 2018 mu-X 1.9 RZ4E LS-A variants are great additions to IPC’s mu-X range. At P1,570,000 for the MT and 1,595,000 for the AT, these are appropriately priced when you look at the features you’ll get and the money you could save on fuel. It’s perfect for those who won’t really need an SUV to haul a lot of people or cargo.

Not only that, IPC tweaked things under the new variants’ hood to make its maintenance painless for the buyer — a Hydraulic Valve Lash Adjuster (HVLA) to keep correct valve lash clearance, a Single Engine Accessory Drive-belt for the air-conditioning and alternator compressor, and a Cartridge-type Oil Filter for easy oil filter maintenance.

With these, the mu-X 1.9 may not only be the better choice when shopping for mu-X per se; it can be the smart alternative when you’re lost at the sea of SUV options in the market.

Specifications

Engine

1.9 L

Fuel Type

Diesel

Performance

148 hp @ 3,600 rpm

Transmission

Automatic

Summary

Name Isuzu mu-X RZ4E LS-A 4x2 AT Blue Power
Body Type SUV
Price ₱1,595,000
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

Get the best deal - Choose multiple dealerships to compare offers!

  • Select up to 5 dealerships and compare their offers
  • Over 70% of dealers reply within 1 hour
  • 100% hassle-free with no obligation to purchase

Latest Review

View More Articles

Popular Articles