Which 2020 Isuzu mu-X variant should you buy? [Comparison Guide]

Updated Sep 13, 2022 | Same topic: Which Car Variant to Buy?

Thinking about driving home an Isuzu mu-X? You might want to check this out first.

The Isuzu mu-X was first introduced in the Philippines in September 2014. It succeeded the famous MU-7, or also known as the Alterra. Its name, mu-X, is an acronym that actually means “mystery utility-eXtreme.”

Isuzu Philippines offers only two passenger vehicles – the first one is the 7-seater SUV mu-X while the other is the D-Max pickup. The mu-X is developed by both Isuzu and General Motors, which instantly gives us the impression that the mu-X is a tough, versatile, and powerful SUV.

Isuzu mu X Perfect for the Family

Isuzu Philippines offers three variants for the 7-seater mu-X, namely the RZ4E LS, RZ4E LS-A, and 3.0L LS-A, with different color and drivetrain options. Read on and find out which mu-X best suits you.

>>> Related: New & used Isuzu Mu-X for sale at good prices on Philkotse

Isuzu mu-X Variants: Exterior

To start off, the LS variants have measurements that span 4,825 mm in length, 1,860 mm in width, and 1,825 mm in height. While the LS-A variants are measured 4,825 mm in length, 1,860 mm in width, and 1,840 mm in height. The LS-A variants are 10 mm higher than the LS variants in terms of ground clearance.

The 2020 Isuzu mu-X

The 2020 Isuzu mu-X

The 2020 Isuzu mu-X is installed with a bi-LED projector headlamp with integrated DRL and auto-headlamp leveling for the front end and horizontal type with LED positioning lamps for the rear end. Chrome and metallic gray are the finishes used in the LS-A variants’ exterior while material black and material gray for the lower-spec LS variants. A rear spoiler is an exclusive feature included only in the top-spec 4x4 3.0-liter LS-A variant.

Isuzu Philippines offers five color options for the mu-X, namely the Titanium Silver, Silky Pearl White/Splash White, Cosmic Black, Havana Brown, and Obsidian Gray.

Isuzu mu-X Variants: Interior

The LS-A variants are equipped with auto climate control with independent rear cooler controls, passive entry and push start/stop system, 3x 12V accessory socket, 3x USB charging port, and glove box with key lock and illumination.

Interior view of the Isuzu mu-X

Interior view of the Isuzu mu-X

On the other hand, the LS variants are equipped with two-dial manual control with independent rear cooler controls, 1x 12V accessory socket, 1x USB charging port, and a glove box with a key lock only. All Isuzu mu-X variants come with 19 storage compartments and 12 cup holders.

Isuzu mu-X Variants: Engine & Performance

Under the hood, the RZ4E variants use a 1.9-liter 4-cylinder in-line diesel RZ4E-TC engine that is capable of producing 148 hp at 3,600 rpm and 350 Nm of torque at 1,800 to 2,600 rpm. The 3.0L LS-A variants are powered by a 3.0-liter 4-cylinder in-line diesel 4JJ1-TCX engine capable of generating 175 hp at 3,600 rpm and 380 Nm of torque at 1,800 to 2,800 rpm.

Engine view of the mu-X

Take on the road with the mu-X's powerful diesel engine

>>> Related: Nissan Terra vs Isuzu Mu-X: Battle of the macho SUVs!

For the MT variants, a 6-speed manual transmission with a gear shift indicator is used. While for the AT variants, a 6-speed AWR6B45-II automatic transmission with a sequential shift is used. Only the top-spec mu-X variant comes with a terrain command select dial. Power is sent to 245/70 R 16 aluminum alloy wheels in the LS variants while 255/60 R 18 aluminum alloy wheels in the LS-A variants.

Isuzu mu-X Variants: Safety

As for safety, all mu-X variants are installed with dual S.R.S airbags, seatbelts in all rows, child seat tethers for the second row, side door impact beams, brake override system (BOS), high mount LED stop lamp, day and night type rearview mirror, and rear defogger.

All variants, except for the base MT variant, are equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), and brake assist (BA). The LS-A variants come with an anti-theft alarm system, engine immobilizer, reverse camera, and metallic gray two-eye reverse sensing system.

Exclusive in the 3.0L mu-X variants are safety features like the electronic stability control (ESC), traction control system (TCS), hill start assist (HSA), and hill descent control (HDC).

>>> Related: Isuzu Sportivo 2015 for sale

Isuzu mu-X Variants: Pricing

Isuzu mu-X variants
Pricing
Isuzu mu-X RZ4E LS 4x2 MT
Php 1,300,000
Isuzu mu-X RZ4E LS 4x2 AT
Php 1,350,000
Isuzu mu-X RZ4E LS-A 4x2 MT (Silky Pearl White)
Php 1,670,000
Isuzu mu-X RZ4E LS-A 4x2 MT (Obsidian Grey)
Php 1,680,000
Isuzu mu-X 3.0 LS-A 4x2 AT Blue Power
Php 1,795,000
Isuzu mu-X 3.0 LS-A 4x2 AT Blue Power (Cosmic Black)
Php 1,805,000
Isuzu mu-X 3.0 LS-A 4x4 AT Blue Power (Silky White Pearl)
Php 2,145,000
Isuzu mu-X 3.0 LS-A 4x4 AT Blue Power (Titanium Silver)
Php 2,155,000

>>> View full price list of Isuzu cars in the Philippines

Isuzu mu-X Variants: Conclusion

The Isuzu mu-X continues to give Filipinos the idea of how a tough and reliable SUV should be. It produces a good amount of power output and Isuzu did a good job with the SUV’s overall design.

An mu-X driving down the road

You can inquire for an mu-X through video call on its official website

So which mu-X variant is the best option at its given price point? If you are planning to get a large passenger car like the mu-X, then might as well get the option where off-roading features are top-notch.

It can be found in the top-spec Mu-X 3.0L LS-A 4x4 AT variant. This is the only variant that comes with features like traction control system, hill start assist, hill descent control, and terrain command select dial.

If you are on a budget, the Mu-X's base MT variant is still a good variant to start with. However, it comes with plenty of cost-cutting measures. What’s good about the base variant is that the power output is still close to the higher variants and you can save more than half a million pesos.

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Know more about Isuzu mu-X 2024

Isuzu mu-X

The Isuzu mu-X Philippines 2025 is the Japanese marque's entry to the 7-seater midsize SUV based on its pickup truck sibling, the Isuzu D-Max. It is offered in four variants with a price that ranges from Php 1,675,000 to Php 2,580,000. For the Philippines market, the Isuzu-made SUV has two available engine options. The smaller one is a 1.9-liter RZ4E Bluepower turbodiesel capable of making up to 148 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque. It can either come with a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. Meanwhile, the larger engine option for the mu-X is a 3.0-liter inline-4 turbodiesel. At most, this mill can produce up to 187 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque. Only a six-speed automatic transmission is available with this engine.

Dimensions-wise, the mu-X is 4,850 mm long, 1,870 mm wide, and 1,825 mm high, with a wheelbase and ground clearance rated at 2,855 mm and 235 mm, respectively. Locally, this midsize SUV is competing against the likes of the Toyota Fortuner, Nissan Terra, and Mitsubishi Montero Sport.

>>> New and used Isuzu mu-X 2025 for sale in the Philippines

Isuzu Mu-X Launch

The Isuzu mu-X for the Philippines market was initially launched in September 2014 as a replacement for the seven-seater Isuzu Alterra SUV. During its launch, it was available with a 2.5-liter turbodiesel engine or a 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine. In 2019, the said 2.5-liter was later replaced by the 1.9-liter RZ4E Bluepower turbodiesel engine. Later in 2021, Isuzu Philippines brought in the second-generation Isuzu mu-X and it now gets the updated 3.0-liter 4JJ3-TCX turbodiesel mill. The smaller 1.9-liter RZ4E is also retained.

In 2023, Isuzu Philippines gave the mu-X an update. This update comes with new color options, a black-colored grille, a new set of wheels, and a new smart power tailgate. 

Currently, the mu-X 2025 is one of the two Isuzu passenger car models available in the Philippines together with the Isuzu D-Max.

Isuzu mu-X Exterior

On the outside, the Isuzu mu-X for the Philippines market is equipped with front fog lamps, Bi-LED headlamps with auto-leveling, turn signal side repeaters, LED daytime running lamps, and LED taillights. Most of the mu-X's variants also come equipped with roof rails. The base-model uses a set of 17-inch alloy wheels. The mid-spec gets 18-inch alloy wheels, and the top-spec variants have 20-inch alloy wheels.

Isuzu mu-X Interior

Inside, the 2025 mu-X can fit a total of seven occupants including the driver. The LS-A AT and LS-E variants have an automatic climate control system to keep their occupants comfortable. The rest meanwhile gets manual air-conditioning.

For the driver, the top variants of the Isuzu-made SUV provide a tilt-adjustable leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather seats, and an electronically adjustable front seat. Only the top-spec LS-E gets leather seats, whereas the rest uses fabric seats.

Technology & Safety Features

Standard on all mu-X trims is a ten-inch touchscreen, which is capable of connecting via Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, USB, aux-in, and Bluetooth. For the driver, the Isuzu-made model provides an analog gauge cluster, a digital trip computer, a reverse camera, and offline navigation. The top variants also get rain-sensing wipers.

For safety, the top-spec LS-E gets seven airbags while the rest gets dual front airbags. Standard on all trims is anti-lock braking, stability control, traction control, hill-start assist, and hill descent control. Only the LS-E trim gets adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, automatic high beams, and lane departure warning. Both LS-E trims and the LS-A AT are also equipped with blind-spot monitoring and a rear-cross traffic alert.

Isuzu mu-X Platform & Chassis

The mu-X Philippines 2025 is a five-door midsize SUV with a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive/four-wheel-drive layout. In terms of dimensions, it is 4,850mm long, 1,870mm wide, and 1,825mm in height. Its wheelbase is 2,855mm in length, and it has a ground clearance of 235mm for the higher-spec variants and 230mm for the entry-level variant.

For suspensions, the mu-X uses a double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear end. Braking is handled by disc brakes for the front and rear. The Isuzu-made SUV also comes standard with an electronic parking brake. Lastly, the top-spec mu-X LS-A can either be rear-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive.

Engine & Drivetrain

For the Philippine-spec mu-X, two engine options are available. The smaller engine option is the 1.9-liter inline-4 RZ4E Bluepower turbodiesel. This mill can produce up to 148 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque. For the 1.9-liter engine, available transmissions include a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. Both variants that use the 1.9-liter engine only come with rear-wheel-drive.

The larger engine option is a 3.0-litre inline-4 turbodiesel. At most, this four-banger can make up to 187 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque. On the LS-E and LS-A variants that use this engine, only a six-speed automatic transmission is available.

Available colors for the Isuzu mu-X are Marrakesh Brown, Satin Pearl White, Onyx Black, Mercury Silver, Splash White, and Norweigan Blue.

The Isuzu mu-X is a fine choice in the local midsize SUV market. However, it doesn't come with a rear differential lock, a feature that the SUV's rivals offer such as the Nissan Terra and Toyota Fortuner.

Isuzu mu-X 2025 Price List

Let's check out the Isuzu mu-X 2025 price in the Philippines.

 Variants Price
Isuzu mu-X RZ4E LS 4x2 AT ₱1,675,000
Isuzu mu-X 3.0 LS-A 4x2 AT ₱1,999,000
Isuzu mu-X 3.0 LS-E 4x2 AT ₱2,230,000
Isuzu mu-X 3.0 LS-E 4x4 AT ₱2,580,000

Isuzu mu-X Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Reliable powertrain options
  • Premium-looking design
  • Impressive Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS)

Cons

  • Odd antenna placement
  • Relatively expensive flagship variant
  • No rear differential lock

Isuzu mu-X FAQs

1. What does Mu-X mean?

The nameplate Mu-X stands for “Mysterious Utility eXtreme."

2. How many seats does the Isuzu Mu-X have?

The Mu-X is a 7-seater, midsize SUV.

3. Is the Isuzu Mu-X diesel or gasoline?

All Mu-X variants offered for the Philippine market are diesel.

4. Is the Isuzu Mu-X offered with a 4x4 option?

Only the Isuzu mu-X's top-spec LS-E variant may come with a 4x4 drivetrain.

₱ 1,650,000 - ₱ 2,505,000

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Rex Sanchez

Rex Sanchez

Author

Rex Sanchez grew up in Saudi Arabia where he saw and got into the automotive scene. He started his career for an aviation company in the said region, writing about turbines and rotors which are later distributed for educational purposes. And now, he joined Philkotse.com as a staff writer. Currently, he is the youngest on the team and is more than ready to grow in the field.

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