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The Isuzu MU-X has followed its D-Max ute sibling with a new look, updated interior – including a volume dial – and improved safety features.
The facelifted 2025 Isuzu MU-X has been unveiled in Thailand – with a new look and technology from its Isuzu D-Max ute relative – ahead of an Australian arrival expected early next year.
The Isuzu MU-X seven-seat 4WD has inherited the updates applied to its D-Max sibling in Thailand last year – and in Australia earlier this year – to help keep it fresh against newer competitors including the Ford Everest and Toyota Prado.
Information and images released by Isuzu in Thailand show the MU-X wears restyled front and rear fascias with new headlights, tail-lights and front grille, an updated interior with volume and tuning dials for the infotainment screen, and new safety features.
Australian showroom arrivals for the facelifted MU-X are expected to begin in early 2025, given the updated D-Max went on sale locally seven months after it was introduced in Thailand.
Prices are expected to cover any new features or increases in standard equipment. The current MU-X is priced from $47,400 plus on-road costs.
The top-of-the-range MU-X LS-T 4×4 continues to be cheaper than the next model down – which has less equipment – due to a $67,990 drive-away offer subsidised by Isuzu Ute Australia head office that slashes thousands off the regular price.
Isuzu Thailand has not announced any changes to the 1.9-litre and 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engines, as with the most recent update for the D-Max.
New on the outside of the MU-X is a restyled front fascia with new headlights, a larger grille with chrome bars on some models, and more angular air intakes.
There are new arrow-shaped tail-lights connected across the tailgate by a strip of black trim, and – although it may not look like it – subtly revised wheel designs.
Thai customers are offered a sportier RS model, with black trim, wheel-arch flares, roof and bumper inserts, plus, a mesh grille, unique 20-inch black wheels, and green-accented RS badging. It remains to be seen if this comes to Australia.
Inside, the MU-X has mirrored the D-Max in adopting an updated 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with dials for volume and radio tuning – rather than the current model’s fiddly buttons.
However, Isuzu has replaced the physical switches for home, phone controls, back and other functions with touch-sensitive controls.
Wireless Android Auto is now supported – alongside carry-over wireless Apple CarPlay – and the screen is expected to come with updated graphics and menus. RS models in Thailand also have red ambient lighting in the doors.
There is a new 7.0-inch instrument display – with downsized analogue dials – ahead of the driver on top-of-the-range models, compared to a 4.2-inch screen in the current MU-X.
Other interior changes include USB-C ports replacing USB-A, and “new design” seat cushions now available in an ivory leather material named ‘Truffle Brown’.
Safety has seen improvements with an updated rear cross-traffic alert system that can now brake for obstacles – rather than simply detect, and warn the driver of them – as well as a new 360-degree camera with a ‘transparent bonnet’ view.
New in Thai models is electric power steering, as well as lane-keep assist and lane-centring assist driver aids – but these were already all fitted to Australian examples.
The 1.9-litre (110kW/350Nm) and 3.0-litre (140kW/450Nm) single-turbo diesel engines are unchanged with the facelift, expected to remain matched with a six-speed automatic transmission, and choice of rear- or four-wheel drive in Australia.
The Isuzu MU-X is now at the midpoint of what is expected to be a seven or eight-year model cycle – based on the timing of this update, and the current generation’s Thai launch in 2020.
The update will need to keep it fresh against the Ford Everest – which entered a new generation two years ago – and the Toyota Prado, the new version of which is due imminently.
A new-generation Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is due in Australia in 2025 or 2026, while a new Toyota Fortuner is likely to follow the next-generation HiLux ute expected at a similar time.
The post 2025 Isuzu MU-X facelift revealed, expected in Australia next year appeared first on Drive.
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