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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

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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.

2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4X4 towing

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.

2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4X4 boot space for shopping with two rows of seats in use

The Thule Sleek, future-proof, multi-configuration pram with a single seat…

Thule Sleek

…will fit in the boot of the 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4×4 with eight shopping bags.

2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4X4 boot space for shopping with single stroller pram if two rows of seats are in use

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.

2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4X4 boot space for shopping with tandem stroller pram if two rows of seats are in use

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.

2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4X4 boot space for shopping with tandem stroller pram if two rows of seats are in use

The Thule Urban Glide 3 single is the ultimate all-terrain stroller…

Thule Urban Glide 3

… with the back wheels on, fits in the tray of the 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4×4 with eight shopping bags.

2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4X4 boot space for shopping with single stroller pram if two rows of seats are in use

The Thule Urban Glide 3 double is Thule's beloved ultimate all-terrain stroller…

… 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.

2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4X4 boot space for twin side by side stroller pram and shopping with two rows of seats in use

The Thule Spring, lightweight and one-handed folding stroller…

Thule Spring

…fits in the boot of the 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4×4 with twelve shopping bags.

2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4X4 boot space for shopping with compact pram if two rows of seats are in use

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.

2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4X4 boot space for luggage with two rows of seats in use

You can fit a large size dog in the boot of the Isuzu MU-X.

2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4X4 boot space for dogs with two rows of seats in use

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.

2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4X4 boot space for luggage with all three rows in use

The Thule Sleek, future-proof, multi-configuration pram with a single seat…

Thule Sleek

…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.

2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4X4 boot space for single stroller pram and shopping with all three rows in use

The Thule Urban Glide 3 single is the ultimate all-terrain stroller…

Thule Urban Glide 3

… 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.

2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4X4 boot space for single stroller pram and shopping with all three rows in use

The Thule Spring, lightweight and one-handed folding stroller…

Thule Spring

…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.

2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4X4 boot space for compact stroller pram and shopping with all three rows in use

Also the 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4×4 boot can also accommodate two 40L Thule Chasm duffle bags.

2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4X4 boot space for luggage with all three rows in use

Or you can fit a small size dog in the boot of the Isuzu MU-X.

2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4X4 boot space for dogs with all three rows in use

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).

2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4X4 with Thule Caprock roof platform

When it comes to installing child seats in the 2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4×4…

2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4X4 ISOFIX child seat anchorages in the second row

…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.

2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4X4 ISOFIX child seat anchorages in the second row

All three second-row seats have top tether anchorages right down at the bottom of the seat backs…

2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4X4 top tether child seat anchorages in the second row

… 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.

2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4X4 with three child seats installed in the second row

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.

2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4X4 has no ISOFIX child seat anchorages in the third row

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).

2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4X4 with three child seats installed in the second row

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.

2024 Isuzu MU-X 1.9L LS-M 4X4 with three child seats installed in the second row

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.

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Tace Clifford
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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