Isuzu D-Max and MU-X 2019 pricing and spec confirmed

Isuzu has updated its D-Max ute and MU-X SUV offering for 2019, with subtle styling tweaks, optional safety additions (though, still no auto emergency braking) and an improved warranty.

The D-Max gains a slew of upgrades which primarily apply to the top-spec LS-T. The LS-T gets a new set of 18-inch alloy wheels, a set of new Fibre-Reinforced Polymer side-steps (which are also on the LS-U) and matte black roof rails.

All LS models get a new grille insert, with dual-cabs gaining a matching matte-black B-pillar, while the LS-T 4x2 gains keyless entry and push-start.

Front parking sensors are now available as a $545 option on all LS grades and can be retrofitted to any LS-badged D-Max as far back as 2017.

The D-Max LS-T gets new 18-inch alloys, Fibre-Reinforced Polymer side-steps and matte black roof rails.

Meanwhile, the MU-X has seen some more significant changes, with the hydraulic steering having been re-calibrated to make it lighter. Isuzu says this change was made specifically due to Australian customer feedback.

Also new on the MU-X is a $955 safety pack which includes Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) which joins the $545 front parking sensor pack. Both packs can be retro-fitted to existing M-UX models from 2017.

Other changes to the MU-X range include newly designed 18-inch alloy wheels on the LS-U and LS-T grades, new gloss-black interior trim across the range and ambient interior lighting on the LS-T only.

The MU-X LS-U and LS-T models score newly designed 18-inch alloy wheels.

The D-Max LS-T now comes with 255/60R18 Toyo Open Country Highway Terrain Tyres, while the MU-X LS-U and LS-T ride on 255/60R18 Bridgestone Dueler Highway Terrain Tyres. Isuzu says these road-biased tyres were chosen to reflect how customers were most likely to use higher spec versions of each vehicle.

Isuzu has pushed its warranty offering to six years/150,000km, with a matching six years of roadside assist.

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Isuzu ups warranty to six years/150,000km

The brand has also upgraded its capped price servicing program, which now covers seven years or 105,000km, and costs a total of $3600 over that period.

Power figures from the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine standard across both model lines remain unchanged at 130kW/430Nm.

Notably missing from this year’s upgrades is the addition of auto emergency braking (AEB), with the official line that Isuzu is “monitoring the market” but that there are “no clear plans [to add AEB] for now”.

Similarly, the in-demand Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity tech won’t be part of this upgrade, with Isuzu’s product planners telling CarsGuide “we’d love it” but couldn’t tell us whether we’d have to wait until the next generation car (touted for a 2021 launch) to see it.

Both the MU-X and D-Max miss out on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for now.

The subtle changes to the Thai-built D-Max and MU-X range are touted by Isuzu to help it reach a lofty goal of 30,000 unit sales in 2020.

Read More About Isuzu D-Max

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Isuzu D-Max 2019 pricing:

Isuzu MU-X 2019 pricing:

Do you think Isuzu has done enough to keep the D-Max and MU-X in the ladder-chassis fight? Share your thoughts in the comments below.