When it comes to picking a family car, Australians have long adored the iconic station wagon for its cargo space and versatility, but recently that adoration has evolved to a more modern and versatile platform, the Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV). Praised for their elevated and commanding driving position, uncompromised visibility from within the cabin and versatility in the form of foldable seats to maximise cargo space—SUVs have become one of Australia’s most popular new car choices. If the annual sales reports are anything to go by, over 45% of new cars purchased in Australia in 2019 were SUVs and towards the pointy end of the car yard with sticker prices similar to a house deposit—21% of buyers in 2019 with up to $70,000 to spend opted for a large SUV, with the MU-X commanding a solid 8% of that share.
Within that hotly contested SUV Large less than $70K segment, the Isuzu MU-X has been one of the top-selling models for years on end—charting as the Australian segment’s 3rd best-selling large SUV in 2019. Its popularity amongst buyers comes as no surprise—sharing a similar platform as the popular Isuzu D-MAX ute. Sharing it’s platform with a ute elevates the MU-X into the ute-based SUV realm—a sub-segment within the SUV class that the MU-X has been the best-seller in for 6 consecutive years. This is a result and no doubt, driven and complimented by devoted owners and the Australian Automotive media who recognise the MU-X for it’s worth.
At the beginning of 2020, CarsGuide took to the helm of a 2019 Model Year Isuzu MU-X 4x4 LS-T—the flagship model of the Isuzu MU-X range. Appraising the MU-X was Nedahl Stelio, the acclaimed Family Reviewer at CarsGuide who is always on the look-out for the right family car to keep everything moving as they should: smoothly and with ease. Setting the scene for the family focused review is the north coast of NSW, her locale of choice to test the suburban manoeuvrability and versatility of the MU-X. Stelio praised the invulnerable SUV’s functionality and ability to get the job done—pointing out how it’s effortless and on-the-road characteristics makes it a popular vehicle of choice for families alike.
