PODCAST: No guarantee updated Isuzu MU-X will get more love
Seven-seater SUV trails Toyota Fortuner and Ford Everest by a mile in terms of market share.
The Isuzu MU-X was the recipient of a nip and tuck this month. Whether the update is enough to take away market share from the segment's top dogs, the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Everest, remains to be seen.
Isuzu MU-X makes a Pitstop
In this week's episode of The Citizen Motoring's Pitstop podcast, we discuss the updated Isuzu MU-X. We look at the enhancements and at the flagship Onyx XT's price tag that breaches R1 million for the first time.
Isuzu is confident that MU-X sales will improve. Its sales have picked up slightly over the last few years, but it is still miles behind the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Everest. Even the Mahindra Scorpio-N has the better of it more often than not.
ALSO READ: R1-million Isuzu MU-X will struggle to catch Fortuner and Everest
The evolution of the Isuzu Trooper and Frontier led to the birth of the first Isuzu MU-X in 2018. The second generation was launched in 2021 with 3.0 litre turbodiesel engines, with a 1.9 litre derivative added two years later.
Isuzu has kept the updated range spanning across six derivatives unchanged. It kicks off with the R752 300 1.9 litre LS 4×2 which is offered alongside five 3.0 litres models. The top-of-the-range Onyx XT costs R1 026 800.
Two diesel engines
The base model's 1.9 litre blown diesel mill produces 110kW of power and 350Nm of torque which is sent to the rear wheels via six-speed automatic transmission.
In 3.0 litre turbodiesel guise, the engine produces 140kW/450Nm, also mated to a six-speed auto transmission. All-wheel drive is standard on the Onyx XT, while the other 3.0 litre models offer a selection between rear-wheel or four-wheel drive.
In terms of styling, the Onyx XT has raised the Isuzu MU-X's game quite a bit. It rides on gloss black 20 inch rims and features blacked-out grille with the XT badge, magnetite accents, gloss black wheel arch cladding and black side steps, mirrors caps and roof rails.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TimesLIVE
3 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Toyota welcomes Comrades winner Gerda Steyn as official ambassador
Toyota SA Motors has announced Gerda Steyn as its new brand ambassador for the next three years. The announcement was made at the 98th Comrades Marathon on Sunday, where Steyn was crowned winner in the women's category. The qualified quantity surveyor is a four-time Comrades marathon champion and one of the most accomplished ultra-marathon athletes in the world, holding records for the Two Oceans (six times) and Comrades Marathon down run and up run. Steyn's running career kick-started at the Comrades Marathon in 2015 where she finished in the 56th position. As part of her ambassadorship Steyn will be paired with the Toyota Fortuner SUV. 'Toyota SA Motors is proud to support athletes who embody determination, resilience and a global sporting spirit. To this effect, Toyota's partnership with Gerda is the beginning of new and exciting adventures,' said Tasneem Lorgat, GM marketing communications at Toyota SA. The company said Steyn's appointment reaffirmed Toyota's commitment to supporting sports as a tool for nation-building and social cohesion — values linked to its historic 21-year support of the Comrades Marathon. Commenting on her appointment, Steyn said: 'To represent Toyota — pioneers and leaders in the motoring industry — is a huge honour. I look forward to this long-term partnership with a name that stands head and shoulders above the rest.'
The Citizen
6 hours ago
- The Citizen
REPORT: Kia Tasman bakkie could spawn Toyota Prado rival
Enclosed Tasman will most likely target the Prado and Ford Everest rather the Toyota Fortuner when it goes into production. Reportedly still set to debut in South Africa this year, a new report from Australia has alleged that the Kia Tasman could spawn a body-on-frame SUV by 2028 if all goes to plan. But wait… Likely to be aimed at the Ford Everest and Toyota Land Cruiser Prado than the Fortuner, the hinting by Kia Australia's head of chassis tuning, Graeme Gambold, was quickly followed up marketing head, Dean Norbiato, saying that immediate focus remains on the Tasman that went on-sale Down Under two months ago priced from $42 990 or R496 263 when directly converted. ALSO READ: VIDEO: Kia Tasman teased on local soil ahead of 2025 debut 'If Tasman is a success, then it will open many doors, so let's get Tasman right first. Once we get that right, then we can go from there,' Norbiato said. Addressing the question, posted by further, Gambold said, 'let us take a breath, the media was asking for a ute for 10 years'. 'You can't be everywhere. We're probably a little bit different to the Ford; we've chosen to err on a bit more of the traditional ute market, whereas they've tried to go a bit more SUV than traditional ute,' he said in reference to the Tasman having been benchmarked against the Ford Ranger. Interior, up front, is unlikely to change in the case of the SUV being approved. Image: Kia 'The ute-user demographic is so wide compared to other cars; it's got to be a farm truck for some, it's got to be a family hauler SUV equivalent for the others. So, there's a different target, a different number on the dart board'. What to expect Likely to seat seven similar to the Everest and Prado, the SUV could go under a different name than the Tasman, however, as mentioned, nothing has yet been finalised. Loadbin will be replaced by an enclosed 'cab', more than likely with a third-row of seats. Image: Kia A rival for upper-end versions of the Isuzu MU-X as well, and possibly the next generation Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, the 'Tasman SUV' will, in probability, have the same engines as its bakkie sibling, namely the 2.5 T-GDI petrol producing 207kW/421Nm and the 2.2-litre turbodiesel rated at 154kW/441Nm. Compared to the Everest that also offers the 3.0-litre Lion turbodiesel V6, the SUV, as with the Tasman, won't be equipped with a six-cylinder engine at any stage. For the moment though, nothing has yet been given the greenlight. ALSO READ: Wait finally over as Kia officially debuts long-awaited Tasman bakkie
IOL News
5 days ago
- IOL News
It's no 'poor man's Defender': New Hyundai Santa Fe lands in SA, with hybrid power
The new Hyundai Santa Fe is now available in South Africa. Image: Supplied Flaunting a boxy new look that's a far cry from its curvy predecessors, the all-new Hyundai Santa Fe has landed in South Africa. While some speak of Land Rover inspiration in the design, it's not quite a 'poor man's Defender', with Hyundai announcing a price tag of R1,249,000 for the single derivative on offer, the Hybrid Elite AWD. This makes the new, and somewhat lavishly appointed, SUV more expensive than the larger Palisade 2.2D, which costs R1,204,500. Yet it's not the most costly Hyundai on offer as the range-topping Staria retails at R1,263,900. The new Santa Fe is Hyundai's first hybrid product to be offered locally, with the drivetrain combining a 132kW 1.6-litre turbopetrol engine with a 44kW electric motor for total system outputs of 175kW and 367Nm. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Boxy new design is a far cry from its predecessor. Image: Supplied Although some might miss the diesel option, there is some consolation in the hybrid model's claimed fuel consumption figure of 7.5 litres per 100km. Customers can also adjust the level of regenerative braking. At 4,830mm, the new Santa Fe is 45mm longer than its predecessor, while the wheelbase has grown by 50mm, increasing space for second and third-row occupants. In keeping with its bolder stance, 20-inch alloy wheels are fitted as standard. Interior features include a dual-screen infotainment system with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, Bose sound system, 360-View Monitor, Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist and Lane-Follow Assist. The seats are upholstered in a synthetic leather called H-Tex, with seat heating for the first two rows and ventilation for the front perches. Squared off design theme continues inside. Image: Supplied
