Isuzu NLS Reviews

Kia Australia has some big expectations for its incoming Tasman ute. Most notable is the brand's aim of off-loading 20,000 units in its first full year, the equivalent to one quarter of the Tasman’s projected global sales.To do so in a shrinking ute market, it will need to lure Australian buyers away from traditional staples in Ford, Toyota and Isuzu while fighting off an increasing cohort of budget Chinese rivals such as BYD, GWM and JAC.Achieving that will be no easy feat and require the Tasman come competitively on the basics: grunt, payload, towing, tech, and arguably most important of all, price.So, does it? We’ve put the Tasman's top-grade head-to-head against some of Australia’s most popular ute models in an on-paper comparison designed to give you the best run-down on the all-new model before we've even taken it for a test drive.Starting with ground clearance, at 252mm, the Tasman exceeds its rivals by a minimum of 12mm. You could argue it's a relatively paltry difference, but 4WD enthusiasts would argue every millimetre counts when you're traversing rough terrain.Approach and departure angles is another area where the Tasman shines. At 32.2-degree approach and 26.2-degree departure, the Tasman shapes up as a symphony of well thought out proportions, something that will, once again, make it appealing to the four-wheel driving class.As an additional note, Kia claims to have "best-in-class" tub volume at 1173 litres, which sounds unusual given it doesn't have the largest tub dimensions in this class. Rather, its tub width and length are smaller than the Ford Ranger Wildtrak and Toyota HiLux Rogue. Further enquiries with Kia found that its best-in-class claim is according to VDA specifications, a commonly used European cargo space measuring guide. Ford, meanwhile, claims a tub volume of 1233-litres on the Wildtrak (a whole 60 litres more), though it's unclear what measurement guide the figure is based on.If its raw torque and power you're after, prospective buyers may be a little disappointed with the Tasman's outputs – at least on paper.But don't let the figures trick you into thinking its not a capable ute. In fact, it leads all of its rivals on payload, while delivering benchmark 3500kg towing; something the new plug-in hybrid BYD Shark 6 (321kW/650Nm) couldn't conquer.Kia said the decision to offer a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine, which falls 30kW/159Nm short of its most powerful rival (the V6 Ford Ranger Wildtrak), was based on the brand's decision to comply with Australia's New Vehicle Efficiency Standards (NVES). The scheme penalises carmakers who exceed government-mandated carbon emissions limits.While Kia is yet to officially release homologated emissions data on the Tasman, its relatively strong fuel consumption of 7.6 litres/100km suggests it will duck under the targets many of its rivals will fall victim to.This is one area where the Tasman decisively leads the segment, particularly in terms of tech and comfort. It carries twin 12.3-inch screens for multimedia and the digital driver's display, with a 5.0-inch touch monitor for climate controls wedged in-between.There's wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, digital radio, wireless charging, quilted leather upholstery and intuitive features like a large folding-table mounted to the centre console.Kia claims the Tasman has "class-leading" headroom, shoulder room and second row legroom, which makes sense given it is the longest vehicle in its class. The Tasman also comes with an additional 33 litres of under seat storage.The Ranger Wildtrak's interior set-up comes the closest, with a 10.1-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen and an 8.0-inch digital driver's display. It carries wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, too, as well as wireless charging and digital radio. Under seat storage is offered on the Wildtrak, however, Ford chooses not to quote a litre figure.The D-Max X-Terrain carries a smaller 9.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with an 8.0-inch digital driver's display. It misses out on wireless charging, though.The HiLux Rogue is well off the pace, providing only an 8.0-inch colour touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, no wireless charging pad and fewer clever storage spaces. Toyota is, however, set to upgrade this configuration next year when the new HiLux arrives.* All prices calculated before on-road costsPricing was one area where the Tasman was expected to spank the established competition, though its entry price of $42,990 before on-roads for the two-wheel drive S grade exceeds all its rivals by at least $6110.That likely comes down to higher production costs (the Tasman is built in South Korea, while its rivals are built in Thailand) and a more generous offering of standard features.By no means, however, is the Tasman exuberantly expensive, as evidenced by the X-Pro's mere $150 premium over the Wildtrak – a popular variant of Australia's most popular ute. But the success of budget Chinese brands, such as BYD, Chery, GWM and MG, in Australia has shown buyers are increasingly willing to prioritise value above all else, which could hurt the Tasman's sales prospects.Despite the conjecture online about the Kia Tasman's design, which does take a little getting used to, the Tasman is, by all means, a compelling package.It delivers and, in fact, exceeds the competition on several fundamentals, from ground clearance and approach/departure angles to payload, fuel efficiency, interior comfort and tech.That said, two key factors may not necessarily work in its favour - design and price. In a world where buyers are becoming increasingly cost-conscious, there may be a tendency to opt for more conventionally-styled budget rivals.As always, though, only time will tell whether the Tasman can live up to its maker's expectations.

The Ford Ranger might have found itself back on top of Australia’s sales charts in March, but a dig into the numbers reveal cracks in the sales ambitions of the Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Isuzu D-Max.

Isuzu's MU-X range has undergone a much-anticipated update and it includes the introduction of a new variant: the new top-of-the-range X-Terrain.The X-Terrain is a seven-seat 4WD wagon and - as part of this new MU-X range - it has an updated chassis, a tweaked suspension set-up, some new safety tech and a recalibrated rough terrain mode (Isuzu's boosted off-road traction control system).

Isuzu displays range of 4x4 D-Max utes and MU-X SUVs with a new, smaller engine.

Utes have been up there with the most popular vehicles bought by Australians for years, but sales have dropped significantly in 2025 signalling a huge change in buyer behaviour.

Here are the changes that we would like to see on the 2026 Ford Ranger facelift.

Isuzu’s updated 2025 MU-X range has a new flagship, the X-Terrain. To separate it from the rest of the range it comes with a range of unique black elements, including its 20-inch gloss black alloy wheels, the horizontal bars on the grille, fog light surrounds and fender flares.It also gets a 7.0-inch digital instrument display, red ambient lighting and leather-accented trim with red and grey contrasting stitching. The X-Terrain is also exclusively available in Slate Grey metallic paint.The MU-X X-Terrain is only available with the 140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbo diesel engine, with a six-speed automatic transmission and 4x4 (no 4x2 option). The X-Terrain is priced from $74,400 (plus on-road costs), but Isuzu is offering a very appealing drive-away price from launch at $73,990.

The entry to the updated Isuzu MU-X range remains the LS-M variant, which leads on value but still comes with meaningful choices for buyers.The biggest choice is the powertrain, with buyers able to pick between the 110kW/350Nm 1.9-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel or the 140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel, with the former available only with 4x2 but the bigger engine can be 4x2 or 4x4.For 2025 the LS-M gets some new equipment, including updated cloth upholstery, a 4.2-inch digital display on the instrument panel, an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as USB-C ports and bi-LED headlights.The LS-M begins the range with a $46,990 drive-away deal from launch for the 1.9L 4x2 (list price is $48,400 plus on-road costs. The 3.0-litre 4x2 LS-M starts from $50,400 (plus on-road costs) and 3.0L 4x4 starts at $56,400 (plus on-road costs).

The Isuzu MU-X LS-U sits in the middle of the range and arguably offers the best value as well as the most choice.It is available with a choice of the 1.9-litre turbo diesel engine with 4x4, or the 3.0-litre four-cylinder with 4x2 or 4x4. The smaller engine makes 110kW/350Nm and the bigger punches out 140kW/450Nm.Some of the most noticeable enhancements for 2025 include new 12-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels, a new leather-wrapped steering wheel, piano black interior trims, a 7.0-inch digital instrument display panel, a 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, USB-C ports, LED fog lights and tyre pressure monitoring.The LS-U 1.9-litre 4x4 is priced from $61,400 (plus on-road cost), the 3.0L 4x2 from $57,400 (plus on-road cost) and the 3.0L 4x4 $63,400 (plus on-road cost).

The Isuzu MU-X LS-T is the brand’s rival to the Ford Everest Tremor 4WD, sitting just below the flagship X-Terrain.The LS-T is only available with the 140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine, but it can be had as a 4x2.Key equipment for the LS-T includes a new 360-degree surround-view camera system, 20-inch alloy wheels, leather-accented upholstery, black headlining, white ambient lighting and black elements on the front bumper, grille and rear bumper.The MU-X LS-T is priced from $65,400 (plus on-road costs) for the 4x2 and from $71,400 (plus on-road costs) for the 4x4. However, at the time of launch, Isuzu Australia is offering a drive-away deal of $69,990 for the 4x4 model.