- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 7 seats
- Engine
2.8DT, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
147kW, 500Nm
- Fuel
Diesel 9.2L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4XD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
What second-hand four-wheel drive should I buy?
The dilemma
Adam is after a used heavy-duty 4WD wagon that will eat up the dirt, handle the odd off-road detour and tow a camper trailer while doubling as his daily driver. A Toyota Fortuner was his first thought but the cheapest ones are just out of his budget range. Would an Isuzu MU-X work?
The budget
$30,000
The shortlist
The MU-X’s value and rock-solid long-haul qualities make it a popular alternative to long-favoured Toyota products for buyers with adventure on their agenda. So Adam is definitely on the right track.
There are, though, other possibilities in this budget range that are probably worth at least throwing into the mix at this early stage. Whether they’re going to be better for Adam than the Isuzu will come down to his own particular needs and wants, but both raise counterpoints that are well worth mulling over.
2012-16 Holden Colorado 7, from $18,200*
This Holden has plenty in common with an MU-X, from its shared body, chassis and seven-seat cabin to its solid off-road ability and maximum towing capacity (3000kg).
But it has its own engine (a 2.8-litre turbodiesel) with a more generous serve of low-rev grunt. Its suspension is marginally better sorted and its cabin has more contemporary details (notably the infotainment system), plus a mandatory reversing camera.
It’s also sharper buying on the used-car lot and covered by a longer fixed-price servicing deal (lifetime versus five years) with longer intervals (nine-monthly/15,000km versus six-monthly 10,000km).
Choosing the Colorado, though, means accepting the same cheap cabin vibe and flat seats as its cousin, and fundamentally sub-benchmark ride and handling. And as we shall see, its Japanese cousin has it beat on some fronts.
Read Drive’s Holden Colorado 7 reviews:
First drive: Holden Colorado 7
Head to head: Holden Colorado v Isuzu MU-X
Road test: Holden Colorado 7 LTZ
Road test: Holden Colorado 7 LTZ
2013-17 Isuzu MU-X 4x4, from $20,900*
The Holden’s drivetrain, cabin, servicing and spec advantages over this Isuzu are all worth having but the battle between the pair isn’t that simple.
While the MU-X’s 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine isn’t as strong as the Colorado’s smaller donk, and compounds its disadvantage with five-speed auto (versus six), it’s still willing enough and uses less fuel (8.4L/100km versus 9.5L/100km). While a reversing camera isn’t mandatory, the feature can still be locked down with a topline LS-T model. And where niggles with the Holden aren’t unheard of, this heavy-duty 4WD’s toughness and trouble-free nature are renowned.
The Isuzu also has a potentially tempting manual-gearbox option not offered by its rival and the longer warranty (five years versus three), though the latter advantage is diluted by similarly priced used Colorados tending to be a little newer.
Read Drive’s Isuzu MU-X reviews:
Head to head: Holden Colorado v Isuzu MU-X
2015-on Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, from $28,400*
With the cheapest versions of Ford’s benchmark Everest still a $35k-plus deal, it’s up to this Mitsubishi to challenge the Holden/Isuzu duo.
Its exterior is fussy, its cabin and boot are this group’s tightest, and it’s an auto-only deal. Mitsubishi’s fixed-price servicing deal expires after just four years/60,000km (i.e. soon for most examples in this price range).
But its cabin is this group’s most contemporary and – thanks to features such as this group’s only two-way steering adjustment – easiest on the bod. Its 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine might have a capacity shortfall in this company but parlays competitive urge and an eight-speed auto to impressive driveability, refinement and thrift (8.0L/100km). While undeniably big and boofy to drive, it’s less bouncy and wayward than the other cars.
It also proffers this group’s best maximum towing capacity (3100kg), longest service intervals (yearly/15,000km) and matches the Holden’s mandatory reversing camera and Isuzu’s five-year warranty respectively. There’s little to suggest it won’t get Adam where he wants to go or deliver dependable service.
Read Drive’s Mitsubishi Pajero Sport reviews:
First drive: Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
Road test: Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Exceed
Drive recommends
The Colorado and MU-X might be essentially the same car but they are different deals. The former is better value, a stronger performer and fractionally more polished, which should put it in front for most buyers.
Swing the emphasis from weekend escapes to sustained adventure, however, and the Isuzu – not quite as well executed as the Holden but potentially less trouble – looks like the smart choice.
The Mitsubishi doesn’t have things all its way, and especially with buyers craving maximum space, maximum toughness or maximum butch. But in this weekday-commuter/weekend-warrior scenario, there’s no real downside to being able to tap into this group’s most contemporary, car-like and least compromised package.
* Values are estimates provided by Redbook based on an example averaging up to 20,000km per annum and in a well-maintained condition relevant to its age.