2024 Isuzu MU-X price and features confirmed: Isuzu lowers entry price with smaller, more efficient engine for the Ford Everest and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport rival

Isuzu Ute Australia has dropped the entry fee into its seven-seater MU-X off-road SUV range with a more affordable and efficient model added, but there’s been a bump up in price for the rest of the range.

A new 1.9-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder variant of the MU-X has been added to the range, alongside the existing 3.0-litre diesel unit.

Not only is the 1.9-litre more efficient with Isuzu claiming a combined consumption of 7.4L/100km for the four-wheel-drive version, compared to 8.3L/100km for the four-wheel-drive 3.0-litre, but the new engine means a lower-priced MU-X as well.

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The MU-X range now kicks off from $1500 less than before at $47,400 for the LS-M entry grade with two-wheel drive and the 1.9-litre turbo-diesel engine. 

But with the good news comes a little not-so-good news - the price of the 3.0-litre LS-M with two-wheel drive has risen by $500 to $49,400. And there have been further price rises through the rest of the range with all grades up to $2000 more expensive without any extra features added over the outgoing model.

The smaller turbo-diesel engine offers good value and plenty of grunt. Isuzu says the 1.9-litre diesel engine has 110kW and 350Nm, which is not far off the 140kW and 450Nm produced by the 3.0-litre diesel.

Braked towing capacity for the 1.9-litre grades is an impressive 3000kg, which is only down 500kg compared to the larger engine. GVM stays the same between 2700kg (4x2)-2800kg (4x4), but 1.9-litre variants have increased payload capacity and the LS-M four-wheel drive can carry up to 735kg.

Along with the entry-grade LS-M two-wheel drive, the 1.9-litre engine is offered on the four-wheel-drive versions of the LS-M and LS-U.

"Value for money has always been at the core of our vehicles, and our team has worked hard behind the scenes to continue to offer that—regardless of the pressures from increased production and transportation costs that society has endured recently," said Junta Matsui, Isuzu Ute Australia Managing Director.

The smaller turbo-diesel engine offers good value and plenty of grunt. Isuzu says the 1.9-litre diesel engine has 110kW and 450Nm, which is not far off the 140kW and 450Nm produced by the 3.0-litre diesel.

"Increasing the price of the 24MY MU-X range was a decision not taken lightly, with all options deeply considered."

"We're confident that value for money has been maintained across the 24MY MU-X range and the addition of the 1.9-litre turbo-diesel engine gives customers a more affordable option; not just at the showroom, but down the track, as it is up to 10 per cent more fuel-efficient than our 3.0-litre engine."

IUA has been able to keep the driveaway price of $67,990 on the top-of-the range LS-T four-wheel drive.

Standard features across the range remain unchanged with the LS-M coming with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, black sidesteps, keyless entry, cloth upholstery, a 7.0-inch media screen with Apple CarPlay and Andoid Auto and air-conditioning.

Stepping up to the LS-U adds 18-inch dark grey alloys, roof rails, leather steering wheel, a 9.0-inch media screen, dual-zone climate control and a power tailgate.

The MU-X is based on the D-Max ute and competes with the likes of Toyota’s Fortuner and Ford’s Everest.

The range topping LS-T gains 20-inch two-tone alloy wheels, leather upholstery, heated front seats and remote engine start.

The MU-X is based on the D-Max ute and competes with the likes of Toyota’s Fortuner and Ford’s Everest.

The news of the MU-X’s more efficient engine comes after Isuzu weighed in on the debate over the government’s proposal to enforce the New Vehicle Emissions Standard (NVES). 

NVES will bring in penalties for vehicle manufacturers not meeting emissions targets, which IUA calls excessive. 

"Vehicle brands that cannot increase vehicle pricing to cover the penalties may be left with no option but to exit the Australian market," IUA said in a statement recently.

The smaller 1.9-litre turbo-diesel engine added to the MU-X line-up produces 237 grams of carbon dioxide compared to the  271 grams of carbon dioxide for the 3.0-litre unit. 

The 1.9-litre turbo-diesel engine is also offered across the D-Max ute line-up along with the 3.0-litre unit.