2018 Isuzu MU-X

Isuzu MU-X

Isuzu’s MU-X is cut from the same cloth as its D-Max sibling, and that’s clear the moment you look at its ladder-frame bones and diesel-only lineup. You get the choice between a 1.9-litre and a 3.0-litre turbodiesel, both hooked up to automatics, which makes sense for the kind of people who actually buy these things — families, caravan haulers, folks who’d rather not gamble with CVT voodoo or twin-clutch quirks. With just 13 listings live, ranging from R369,995 up to a heady R959,900, this isn’t a Fortuner-style volume seller. If you’re shopping MU-X, you’re not just browsing — you probably know exactly which engine and spec you want, and you’re not in it for the badge. On paper at least, the 3.0 Onyx XT A/T 4x4 is the flagship, flexing its price tag near the R900k mark and showing up in four out of those 13 ads. For the pragmatists, the 1.9 LS A/T 4x2 sits at R669,900, which—paired with Isuzu’s reputation for indestructible diesels—might just be the sweet spot if you pack smart and stick to tar. Used options stretch back to 2018, with mileage averaging a sensible 63,151 km, suggesting these get treated better than your average school-run SUV. Compared to the Fortuner, the MU-X is quieter inside and rides softer, which matters for those Joburg-to-Durban missions with kids napping in the back. Ford’s Everest leaves it behind on cabin tech, but Isuzu’s pricing is sharper, and for plenty of South Africans, that’s the point.