An affordable and capable family seven seat SUV and off-roader
By Tace Clifford
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We are testing the new 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L seven-seat SUV in LS-M 4×4 spec. As part of this we drive it with our family onboard for a week and tow our camper trailer to Noosa North Shore for a weekend to see if the smaller new engine option (until recently all MU-X versions had a 3.0L engine) still has what it takes for adventurous families. Let's start by putting the 1.9L MU-X through our full BabyDrive testing with child seats and Thule prams – as well as finding out what it's like loading prams onto the Thule Caprock roof platform if you've filled all the seats and the boot with people and their things – Let's see how we get on.
BabyDrive Verdict
The 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L is available in three variants: The LS-M 4×2 priced at $47,400, the LS-M 4×4 which I am driving costs $53,400 and the LS-U 4×4 costs $59,900. The 1.9L model is a more affordable entry price for some families and you can't have the small engine in the top-spec MU-X LS-T. The 1.9L is lighter and slightly more fuel-efficient than the larger engine models but it does mean they are less powerful and have a 3.0-tonne braked towing capacity instead of 3.5-tonnes which the 3.0L engine models have. It should be no problem with our 1.8-tonne camper trailer but let's see what difference this makes to family life.
The 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M looks smart on the outside and to the average person it's not obvious you are driving one of the most affordable MU-X models. To me it visually makes an easy transition between being an everyday SUV for family life, commutes and school drop-offs and then a bit rugged and off-roady when you go camping at the weekends!
The styling inside the Isuzu MU-X feels practical and you still get the much-loved dashboard cup holders even in this entry-level LS-M version! Overall I think it's great that Isuzu keeps the same practical interior storage touches for all versions of MU-X, which isn't the case with some brands.
The back of the MU-X has good storage, and a refillable water bottle will fit in the rear doors and there are little handle wells.
The rear central seat back has two cup holders that will hold a reusable coffee cup or kid's drink cup.
There are map pockets on the back of both front seats that will hold an iPad. In the back of the central console is a phone tray and USB-C charging sockets. There is also a bag hook on the back of the front passenger seat which is great for hanging a school bag!
In the front, the central console provides good storage with two cup holders and a small central console storage box. In front of the gear lever is a phone tray and above it two USB-C sockets and a 12V. There is a USB in the rearview mirror for powering a dash cam too.
The MU-X has two practical-size glove boxes. The top one is good for a phone, and the lower one fits an iPad with the manual.
In the ceiling, there is a lined glasses case.
The front door bin storage is good too and will hold a refillable water bottle and iPad and wallet fit too.
Storage in the 2024 Isuzu MU-X's boot is practical for family use, when using the first two rows of seats it will hold eighteen shopping bags, which is comparable to the Ford Everest and the Land Rover Discovery which both also hold eighteen shopping bags. It is one more than the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado which holds seventeen shopping bags.
The Thule Sleek, future-proof, multi-configuration pram with a single seat…
…will fit in the boot of the 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4×4 with eight shopping bags.
The Thule Sleek, future-proof, multi-configuration pram with two sibling seats…
…will fit in the boot of the 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4×4 with eight shopping bags.
The Thule Sleek, future-proof, multi-configuration pram with a single seat and bassinet beside it…
…will fit in the boot of the 1.9L MU-X LS-M 4×4 with three shopping bags.
… with the back wheels on, it will fit in the boot of the 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4×4 with six shopping bags.
The Thule Spring, lightweight and one-handed folding stroller…
…fits in the boot of the 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4×4 with twelve shopping bags.
The 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4×4 boot can also accommodate two 90L, one 70L and one 40L Thule Chasm duffle bags.
You can fit a large size dog in the boot of the Isuzu MU-X.
When using all three rows of seats the boot will hold six shopping bags, which is comparable to the Ford Everest which will also hold six shopping bags. The Land Rover Discovery will hold three shopping bags and so will the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado.
The Thule Sleek, future-proof, multi-configuration pram with a single seat…
…will fit in the boot of the 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4×4 when using all three rows of seats but with no shopping bags.
… with one of the back wheels on, fits in the boot of the 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4×4 with no shopping bags.
The Thule Spring, lightweight and one-handed folding stroller…
…fits in the boot of the 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4×4 with two shopping bags. When using all three rows of seats.
Also the 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4×4 boot can also accommodate two 40L Thule Chasm duffle bags.
Or you can fit a small size dog in the boot of the Isuzu MU-X.
If you need more space, then the Thule Caprock Roof Platform can be fitted to the roof of the Isuzu MU-X and you can transport the Thule prams easily on the roof (make sure you strap them down securely).
When it comes to installing child seats in the 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4×4…
…there are ISOFix points in both outer second-row seats. They are not within plastic guides, but they are clearly labelled and behind big velcro flaps of the seat fabric. The ISOFix are nice and easy to connect to.
All three second-row seats have top tether anchorages right down at the bottom of the seat backs…
… you can install three child seats in the second-row seats. You just need to have the third-row seats up in order to access the top tether points because they are low down on the seat backs.
In the third-row seats there are no ISOFix or top tethers so you can't install child seats in the third-row at all.
Legroom is good in the MU-X, with a rear-facing infant capsule installed in the second row we can fit a 180cm driver in front of it or taller if you have forward-facing child seats. To access the third-row seats with three child seats installed in the second row means you do have to uninstall a child seat in the second row to get through to the third-row seats. There is no third-row access with child seats installed (for those in the comments section yes I know you can theoretically climb through the boot but some three-row SUVs make this much easier).
Rear passengers are kept comfortable in the Isuzu MU-X with rear air vents in the ceiling for both rear rows of seats, so you can keep rear passengers the right temperature while driving along.
There are four air vents across the front dash. The controls for the climate are centrally located on the dash and are easy to use and adjust while driving. In this MU-X LS-M version the aircon is very basic and manual rather than the digital dual-zone climate control of higher-spec models.
The Isuzu MU-X LS-M's media system has a very small screen compared to higher-spec models but is seems to have the same basic functions.
It does have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you can access your phone's navigation, messaging, music and podcast apps while driving.
You can easily adjust the sound, which is a great feature for families with noise-sensitive kids.
Within the media screen, you can customise the driver assist settings within the media system, too. Audio quality and volume through the simpler speakers of this LS-M base model are quite poor compared to more expensive MU-X models.
When you put it in reverse, the camera images are very small because of the size of the media screen and a little pixelated. It is helpful when reverse parking and very helpful when hitching up on the tow ball.
The 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4×4 model is a great more affordable seven-seat SUV for families that want to use it for everyday family life and the occasional off-road or camping adventure at the weekend. It has a comfortable ride and is just as spacious and practical for a family as higher-spec MU-X models with plenty of legroom and a large boot if you are only using two rows of seats. This model definitely felt slower and less powerful than the usual 3.0L engine models but it was also smoother and quieter, as well as still being very capable of everyday life and made easier than expected work of towing our camper trailer !
We also had a Thule Caprock Roof Platform installed to the Isuzu MU-X for testing and found it was great for putting the Thule prams on the roof when we had the boot full! While driving with nothing loaded on the Thule Caprock, I didn't notice extra wind noise (although the MU-X is not a particularly quiet vehicle) but you do tend to get extra whistling or rustling with roof bars and roof racks fitted so the Thule Caprock was a pleasant surprise.
The 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4×4 has a five-star ANCAP safety rating, scoring 86% for adult occupancy protection and 85% for child occupancy protection and has eight airbags, including curtain airbags for third-row passengers.
Dual frontal, side chest-protecting, side head-protecting (curtains) and a driver knee airbag are standard. A centre airbag which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes is also standard on all variants.
BabyDrive Indepth
BabyDrive Indepth - Storage
How big is the boot of the 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4X4?
Storage in the 2024 Isuzu MU-X's boot is practical for family use, when using the first two rows of seats it will hold eighteen shopping bags, which is comparative to the Ford Everest and the Land Rover Discovery which both also hold eighteen shopping bags. It is one more than the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado which holds seventeen shopping bags.
The Thule Sleek, future-proof, multi-configuration pram with a single seat…
…will fit in the boot of the 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4×4 with eight shopping bags.
The Thule Sleek, future-proof, multi-configuration pram with two sibling seats…
…will fit in the boot of the 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4×4 with eight shopping bags.
The Thule Sleek, future-proof, multi-configuration pram with a single seat and bassinet beside it…
…will fit in the boot of the 1.9L MU-X LS-M 4×4 with three shopping bags.
… with the back wheels on, it will fit in the boot of the 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4×4 with six shopping bags.
The Thule Spring, lightweight and one-handed folding stroller…
…fits in the boot of the 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4×4 with twelve shopping bags.
The 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4×4 boot can also accommodate two 90L, one 70L and one 40L Thule Chasm duffle bags.
You can fit a large size dog in the boot of the Isuzu MU-X.
When using all three rows of seats the boot will hold six shopping bags. Which is comparable to the Ford Everest that will also hold six shopping bags. The Land Rover Discovery will hold three shopping bags and so will the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado.
The Thule Sleek, future-proof, multi-configuration pram with a single seat…
…will fit in the boot of the 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4×4 when using all three rows of seats but with no shopping bags.
… with one of the back wheels on, fits in the boot of the 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4×4 with no shopping bags.
The Thule Spring, lightweight and one-handed folding stroller…
…fits in the boot of the 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4×4 with two shopping bags. When using all three rows of seats.
Also the 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4×4 boot can also accommodate two 40L Thule Chasm duffle bags.
Or you can fit a small size dog in the boot of the Isuzu MU-X.
If you need more space, then the Thule Caprock Roof Platform can be put on the roof of the Isuzu MU-X and you can transport the Thule prams easily on the roof (strapped down securely of course).
How good is storage in the 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4X4?
In the front, the central console provides good storage with two cup holders that will hold a reusable or disposable coffee cup. Behind them is a small central console storage box. In front of the gear lever is a phone tray and above it two USB-C sockets and a 12V. There is a USB in the rearview mirror for powering a dash cam too.
The MU-X has two practical-size glove boxes. The top one is good for a phone, and the lower one fits an iPad with the manual.
There are my favourite cup holders at either end of the dashboard, that will hold a re-usable or disposable coffee cup.
In the ceiling, there is a lined glasses case.
And a vanity mirror in the passenger side visor only.
The front door bin storage is good and will hold a refillable water bottle and iPad and wallet fit and there are storage wells in the handles too.
The rear passengers get practical storage too in the MU-X. A refillable water bottle will fit in the rear doors and there are little handle wells.
The rear central seat back has two cup holders that will hold a reusable coffee cup or kid's drink cup.
There are map pockets on the back of both front seats that will hold an iPad. In the back of the central console is a phone tray and USB-C charging sockets. There is also a bag hook on the back of the front passenger seat which is great for hanging a school bag!
BabyDrive Indepth - Noise
How noisy is the 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4X4? How good is the media system in the 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4X4?
The Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M's media system has a very small screen compared to more expensive MU-X versions and as you can see it's basic to use.
It does have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you can access your phone's navigation, messaging, music and podcast apps while driving.
You can easily adjust the sound, which is a great feature for families with noise-sensitive kids. Sound volume and quality are not a patch on what you get in higher spec MU-X models though.
Within the media screen, you can customise the driver assist settings within the media system, too.
When you put it in reverse, the camera images are very small because of the size of the media screen and a little pixelated. It is helpful when reverse parking and very helpful when hitching up on the tow ball.
The climate controls are below the media screen and are easy to use while driving.
Becoming a parent I soon realised there are some noises and sounds I feel are unnecessary and I could happily live without if it meant my baby stayed asleep!!
That often the distraction of my screaming, distressed baby is more dangerous when driving than not having a lane departure warning for example.
If it is the lane departure warning beeping that creates distress with my baby then which is safest?
It’s where I think we need to be able to strike a balance and choose when we can mute the warnings or swap them to a vibration in the steering wheel or flashing light perhaps?
A lot of these noises come with the increase in technology and especially linked to safety features and alerts. For me these all have their place.
Another thing I have realised is I spend my time in a lot more places where small children roam, parks, beaches, play gyms, swimming lessons, daycare centre etc. I have become more aware that when I’m reversing or manouvering in the car parks I have to tripple check for small children running around behind me or being in my blind spot when reversing. For this I LOVE reversing cameras, I just don’t like their beeping sounds!!
I have become so much more aware of safety and potential accidents or hazards since having a child and so I love the peace of mind that I get from the cameras and sensors combined with my own vision from windows and mirrors as I don’t trust cameras alone.
The indicators in the Isuzu MU-X are not too loud, and you can lock the doors and windows separately using the buttons in the driver's door control panel.
BabyDrive Indepth - Car Seats
How many child seats fit in the 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4X4?
When it comes to installing child seats in the 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4×4…
…there are ISOFix points in both outer second-row seats. They are not within plastic guides, but they are clearly labelled and behind big velcro flaps of the seat fabric. The ISOFix are nice and easy to connect to.
All three second-row seats have top tether anchorages right down at the bottom of the seat backs…
… you can install three child seats in the second-row seats. You just need to have the third-row seats up in order to access the top tether points because they are low down on the seat backs, so access is tricky.
In the third-row seats there are no ISOFix or top tethers so you can't install child seats in the third-row at all.
Legroom is good in the MU-X, with a rear-facing infant capsule installed in the second-row we can fit a 180cm driver in front of it or taller if you have forward-facing child seats. To access the third-row seats with three child seats installed in the second row means you do have to uninstall a child seat in the second row to get through to the third-row seats. There is no third-row access with child seats installed (for those in the comments section yes I know you can theoretically climb through the boot but some three-row SUVs make this much easier).
BabyDrive Indepth - Drive & Comfort
How comfortable is the 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4X4? And How good is the 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4X4 to drive?
Rear passengers are kept comfortable in the Isuzu MU-X with rear air vents in the ceiling for both rear rows of seats, you can keep rear passengers the right temperature while driving along.
There are four air vents across the front dash for front passengers. The controls for the climate are centrally located on the dash and are easy to use and adjust while driving. The driver and front passenger can't set their own temperatures in this LS-M base model (you get digital dual-zone climate control in higher spec versions of the MU-X).
The front seats of the Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4X4 are comfortable and adjustable. They are simply decorated cloth seats with wavy line central panels.
For a mum travelling in the second row with Bub, the seats have the same upholstery and are comfortable, too. I found I could sit between two child seats in the back if I moved the child seats out to the edge of the seat bases, but not if I was using the ISOFix which forces them inward a bit.
There is a small hump in the central second-row footwell which the central passenger will need to straddle with their legs. The rubber floormats throughout the Isuzu MU-X are fantastic for keeping the car clean as they can be taken out and easily washed.
In the third row, I could sit comfortably with ample head, leg and kick-room and I'm 162cm. Third-row seats are plain with no wavy line decoration on the upholstery.
For the first year of my first daughters life when we would go out as a family, if I wasn’t driving, I would travel in the back with her so it’s important to check the back seat comfort as you may be spending a lot of time in them! They were never something I gave any thought to before but I definitely notice a good or bad back seat now!
The steering wheel is fully adjustable in/out and up/down. The gear lever is a traditional gear stick in the central console.
There are handles above both rear doors that are well-positioned to hang a toy for little rear-facing passengers and in the central ceiling are lights for rear passengers too.
I have found our kids do not like travelling in the dark in the car so if it gets dark whilst travelling then I reach back and turn the interior light on for them. So it’s really important for me that I can reach the rear ceiling light.
Also if I am traveling home and it is getting near to bed time and I DEFINITELY DON’T want her to fall asleep in the car as even a five-minute nap in the car means bed time is all over!!!! I lean back and pop the light on so it’s not dark and try to keep her awake!! Along with screaming/singing at the top of my voice!!!
It is also useful when there are lights situated above the doors where the handles are usually positioned. These are good for when putting baby into their child seats when visibility is poor, so you do not have to reach across them to a light situated in the ceiling centrally etc.
Visibility is pretty good in the 2024 Isuzu MU-X. The ride height gives you great visibility out, and still quite good with three child seats in the back. The rearview camera image is quite small and pixelated but it is helpful when reverse parking and hitching up the towball to our camper trailer!
One thing I have noticed since being a mum is I hate it when I reach a destination or get home from being out and my daughter has either done really well in the car or she is screaming her head off and I have done really well to keep it together for the entire journey (usually the latter!!) and it takes 10 minutes to park the car! It can be really stressful. Usually I dread parking new cars as they take longer in our tight apartment block carpark, but the Isuzu MU-X was simple to park using the rear-view camera!
BabyDrive Indepth - Safety
How safe is the 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4X4?
The 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4X4 has been given a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Models built from July 2022 onwards come with eight airbags as standard, including;
Dual frontal, side chest-protecting, side head-protecting (curtains) and a driver knee airbag are standard. A centre airbag which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes is also standard on all variants.
In the ANCAP crash testing, the Isuzu MU-X scored 86% for adult occupancy protection and 85% for child occupancy protection.
Of the child occupancy testing, ANCAP said;
In the frontal offset (MPDB) test, protection of the chest of the 10 year old dummy was rated as ADEQUATE and protection of the neck was rated as POOR. Protection of other body regions for the 10 year old and all body regions for the 6 year old dummy were rated as GOOD. In the side impact tests, protection was GOOD for all critical body areas for both the 6 year and 10 year child dummies.
The Isuzu MU-X is fitted with lower ISOFix anchorages on the second row outboard seats and top tether anchorages for all second row seating positions. Top tethers and ISOFix anchorages are not available in the third row.
Installation of child restraints in the third row is therefore not recommended. Installation of typical child restraints available in Australia and New Zealand showed that all of the selected child restraints could be accommodated in all second row seating positions and full points were scored for this assessment.
Some of these safety features are also features that drive me crazy as a mum! Like the lane departure and forward collision alert or the parking sensor beeping sound. I want all the safety technology AND to be able to mute the sound when my daughters are asleep!
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About Tace Clifford
Tace Clifford founded BabyDrive in 2017 after discovering a huge information gap in mainstream car reviews that left new parents and expanding families in the dark when it came to one of the biggest purchasing decisions of their lives.
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