Isuzu MU-X 2022 review: LS-T AWD

The exterior has been restyled to have a more refined, more sophisticated look. It still feels very much like a rugged 4WD - this is the SUV version of the D-Max ute - but there are curves on corners so it's less rectangular and feels more modern than the last version.

Inside has had a makeover, too. This is the top model and it features leather accented seats that are perforated and heated, a leather steering wheel, as well as white top stitching with more leather around the dash.

There's a newly designed centre console area which incorporates the digital dash in front of the steering wheel along with the multimedia system and all controls, so it all looks much more streamlined and functional.

You do still feel as though the car is built with the purpose of going off-road but this new model has lifted the design game considerably and it feels good to sit in this car.

The front seats in this model are power operated, as is the tailgate and there is an electric park brake on this new version.

There are six cupholders in total in the car, two in each row, plus you'll get a large centre storage bin, a small spot for keys and a phone and bottle holders in each door.

There are air vents in the back two rows which my children always appreciate. The third row is easy to get into because the single seat (though it is on the right of the car when for Australian roads it should be on the left), folds and rolls forward for easy access to the back row.

The front seats in this model are power operated.

The second row also slides forward so you can accommodate longer legs in the back row if necessary.

The third row is light enough to pull up and down with a tug on the handle on the back of the seat. I prefer these to the power-operated ones which move the seats as if in slow motion. You can also angle the third row seats to make them more comfortable.

It's nice and spacious in the front, with enough leg and head room for taller people, and a good amount of space between driver and front passenger.

The kids fit in the back really well, they're aged seven and nine and had loads of room. At 161cm (5'3") I've got lots of room between my knees and the seat in front of me, so other taller adults and teenagers should be fine.

You can fit a third child seat in this row if you need to, I did it with two boosters and a baby seat.

While we didn't use the third row, you will use it if you have more than three children. I'm actually comfortable back there as well, the second row slides forward to give third row passengers extra legroom and it's got enough space to fit a small adult (that's me). It's not enormous but that's pretty standard for seven-seat SUVs.

If you're over 180cm, you'd most likely want a short journey only in this row, but kids will be fine and there's plenty of air coming through the vents, which is important.

The boot is very large if you've got the third row down. A full 1119L of space means it will fit a double pram or large suitcases easily, with sporting equipment as well.

If you are making use of the third row, the size does go down to 311L which is enough room for groceries or school bags. There are accessories to help you fit more stuff on the roof if that's how you're going to use the car.

The engine has been lightly updated, so it has a 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine like the last model, which has a good amount of power to get up hills and cruises nicely along highways. You feel confident overtaking which is always important on the open road, and it's nice and high as well which adds to that confidence.

It does feel heavy on the take-off and isn't exactly what you'd describe as nimble, but nobody's buying a large seven-seat SUV and expecting agility.

The engine has been lightly updated, so it has a 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine like the last model.

It feels like the steering wheel is lighter than the last model so getting into parks isn’t an issue,  and this new model does have a good reverse parking camera with accurate guidelines so you know where you'll end up.

Overall it does feel more refined to drive and is less 'bouncy' than I remember on the road. It just feels a bit more solid while driving and handles a little better.

The Isuzu MU-X has a six year/150,000km warranty with seven years roadside assist and seven years of capped price servicing, which overall is above average for this class.

The official combined fuel consumption for the 4WD version is 8.3L/100km and I averaged 10.2L/100km. There is no hybrid or electric version on offer.

The Isuzu MU-X has a six year/150,000km warranty with seven years roadside assist and seven years of capped price servicing.