Noisy is not Isuzu MU-X’s style in Vietnam. Isuzu as a brand is relatively quiet and does not have a large user base like other Japanese brands. Partly because this brand focuses on the durability of the car, not much emphasis on design or cutting-edge technology.
Nevertheless, the durability of Isuzu MU-X has helped it build a small user community in Vietnam. We had the opportunity to chat with Khai (40 years old), an Isuzu MU-X user in Hanoi.
Hello Khai! There are many models of D-segment SUVs on the market, notably the Ford Everest and Toyota Fortuner. Why did you choose Isuzu MU-X, a car with the lowest sales in its segment?
Hi everyone! First of all, I have to affirm that I don’t buy cars based on popularity, but based on my own needs. Before buying a car, I spent quite a long time researching the market, features, and equipment, and then decided to buy the MU-X.
I bought the car at the end of 2022, and so far, it has traveled 54,000 km. At that time, the MU-X had the best price on the market and it had all the features and equipment I needed.
So, what criteria did you use to choose a car?
Due to frequent long-distance travel and family trips, I always prioritize cars with diesel engines and the full version with the necessary features and equipment.
You prefer a car with a diesel engine and full features and amenities, so why didn’t you choose the Kia Sorento or Hyundai SantaFe, which are models that have established their reputation for durability and diesel efficiency?
As I mentioned, I chose the Isuzu MU-X not only for cost-saving and full features but also because it had the best price on the market at that time. Price is the most important factor for me.
SUVs with diesel engines are more fuel-efficient than those with petrol engines when traveling long distances. But many people say that the maintenance cost of diesel engines is higher. As a regular driver, do you think this is true?
This is absolutely true! This Isuzu MU-X car has an impressive fuel consumption when traveling long distances. Not only the MU-X, but also other SUVs and crossovers that currently use diesel engines have the same fuel efficiency.
However, the maintenance costs are completely different. For example, with a 2.0-liter engine, if the car used petrol, it would consume about 3-4 liters of fuel. While diesel engines would consume up to 6-7 liters of fuel, and some even up to 8.55 liters including oil filters. In terms of cost, users can expect to pay between 1.4-1.6 million VND.
In addition, diesel engines also require higher-quality fuel and are not as “flexible” as petrol engines.
How do you evaluate the performance of Isuzu MU-X?
The Isuzu MU-X is a pure SUV, uses a body-on-frame chassis, prioritizes heavy loads, but it is not as stable and reliable as cars with monocoque chassis on highways.
Before buying the Isuzu MU-X, I had a long time driving the old Kia Sorento, before that was the Toyota Fortuner (all 3 cars were diesel). In terms of stability and reliability of these 3 cars in the same speed range, I would say that the Isuzu MU-X and Kia Sorento are equivalent. The Toyota Fortuner I used is too outdated to compare here.
The throttle response in the MU-X is relatively slower than in the Sorento (2.2-liter diesel engine). The acceleration of this MU-X version is also quite weak compared to the old car with a 3.0-liter engine.
What do you like and dislike about the Isuzu MU-X?
In Vietnam, Isuzu is not favored and appreciated by the majority, but worldwide, it is a brand with a long history of producing diesel engines. Engine quality is ensured. I trust the reputation of the carmaker.
As I mentioned earlier, I am satisfied with the price of this model, compared to what it brings. It is the cheapest car in its segment, durable, fuel-efficient, and meets my personal requirements.
In addition, the materials used in the cabin, some details are not really neat, but compared to the 2016 model, there has been definite improvement.
