2022 Isuzu Mu-X Debuts in the Philippines, Starts at PHP 1,590,000

First, it was Ford when they gave the the Everest a new pair of engines. Mitsubishi countered that by giving the Montero Sport heaps more technology. Toyota fought back by revamping the Fortuner line-up, and most recently, Nissan thoroughly re-engineered the Terra. But now, Isuzu is bringing out the big guns.

It's the all-new Mu-X.

Whereas all of its competitors were facelifted and updated, the Isuzu is a fresh design from bumper to bumper, from wheels to roof rails. The 2022 Mu-X also shares most of its parts and components from the recently redesigned D-Max, so it also benefits from all the technology upgrades as well. There's a lot of new things to cover in the Mu-X, so let's go through all the changes inside and out.

Exterior

The 2022 Mu-X is both evolutionary and revolutionary in terms of design. The Isuzu look is still clear when you first lay your eyes on it, especially from the front. You can also see some elements from the previous-generation model. However, it's revolutionary in a way because the front is no longer “copy-pasted” from the D-Max. That gives this SUV its own unique identity. This is no longer a D-Max with an SUV body.

Interior

While exterior is totally different from the D-Max's, the same can't be said about the interior. It's not necessarily a bad thing, though. The new cabin is far more premium-looking and upmarket compared to the outgoing generation. There's more soft-touch materials in there, too. While the layout is the same as the D-Max, the new Mu-X's interior is a night and day difference over the older model. Not only that, the upgraded touchscreen has everything you expect from a modern SUV from clear and crisp graphics to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Safety and Technology

With all the added tech in the high-spec versions, the 2022 Mu-X is the most high-tech Isuzu SUV to date. Those variants come standard with automatic emergency braking, turn assist, lane departure warning, 3D camera, and even adaptive cruise control just to name a few. Not only that, all models come standard with traction and stability control, along with multiple airbags. A five-star safety rating from the ASEAN New Car Assessment Program (ASEAN NCAP) should give the driver and passengers more peace of mind.

Engines

Like the D-Max, the Mu-X is available with two engine options. The base models are powered by a 1.9-liter BluePower turbodiesel that Isuzu calls the RZ4E. It makes 150 hp and 350 Nm of torque and can be matched to a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. The RZ4E engine cannot be paired with four-wheel drive.

Higher-spec versions of the Mu-X come standard with the 3.0-liter BluePower turbodiesel. Power is rated at 190 hp and 450 Nm of torque, much higher than the previous generation's output. All 3.0-powered Mu-X models come with an automatic transmission. Four-wheel drive is reserved for the top of the line variant.

Variants and Pricing

For the 2022 Isuzu Mu-X, there are five variants to choose from. Because this is an all-new model, there is a significant price increase for this model. Listed below are the model grades and retail prices.

Mu-X LS 4x2 1.9 A/T – PHP 1,590,000

Mu-X LS-A 4x2 1.9 M/T – PHP 1,770,000

Mu-X LS-A 4x2 3.0 A/T – PHP 1,900,000

Mu-X LS-E 4x2 3.0 A/T – PHP 2,100,000

Mu-X LS-E 4x4 3.0 A/T – PHP 2,450,000

As you can see, prices have jumped from PHP 100,000 to PHP 300,000 with this new generation. While it may come as a bit of a shock, it seems that those prices are becoming the norm for this class of vehicle. It's more expensive than before, so expectations are higher than ever for this Isuzu.

But if those prices are a little too high for your liking, perhaps you can check out the outgoing versions of the Mu-X. There are used examples of these floating around online marketplaces, as well as Automart.PH. If you're interested, there are a few things you need to know before you buy a second-hand Mu-X.