mux 2023 review Page 78

The 2023 Isuzu MU‑X is the dependable mate who actually shows up with a towbar. Its 3.0‑litre turbo‑diesel dishes out 140 kW and 450 Nm through a six‑speed auto, and the 4x4s pack low‑range, so beach launches and caravan hauling (up to 3,500 kg braked) are right in its wheelhouse. Ride comfort is firm but family‑friendly, with seven genuinely usable seats and a cabin that favours durability over dazzle, though Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and safety tech bring it bang up to date. On the road it’s honest rather than exciting—relaxed steering, long‑legged gearing, and torque that prefers grunt to glamour. If you want plush hush and posh toys, the pricey rivals have them; if you want a hardworking tourer that shrugs off corrugations, this is your bloke.