Toyota Fortuner vs. Ford Endeavour vs. Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Isuzu MU-X - Comparo
Isuzu MU-X is the least expensive 7-seat ladder frame premium SUV in the segment.
Isuzu has launched the MU-X SUV in India at a competitive price of INR 23.9 Lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the 4x2 variant, while the 4x4 retails at INR 25.9 Lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi). Here's a brief technical comparison between the Isuzu MU-X and range-topping variants of its rivals: Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour and Hyundai Santa Fe.
| Specification | Isuzu MU-X | Ford Endeavour AT | Toyota Fortuner AT | Hyundai Santa Fe AT |
| Engine (Diesel) | 3.0L 4-cyl | 2.2L 4-cyl/3.2L 5-cyl | 2.8L 4-cyl | 2.2L 4-cyl |
| Power (PS) | 177 | 160 / 200 | 177 | 197 |
| Torque (Nm) | 380 | 385 / 470 | 450 | 436.5 |
| Gearbox | 5 AT | 6 AT | 6 AT | 6 AT |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) mm | 4,825x1,860x1,840 | 4,892x1,860x1,837 | 4,795x1,835x1,835 | 4,690x1,880x1,690 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,845 | 2,850 | 2,745 | 2,700 |
| Ground Clearance (mm) | 220 | 225 | 225 | 185 |
| Fuel efficiency (km/L) | 13.8 | 12.62 / 10.91 | 12.9 | 10 |
| Price in INR Lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi) | 23.9 - 25.9 (4x4 optional) | 28.62 - 31.50 (4x4 optional) | 29.88 - 31.86 (4x4 optional) | 30.84 - 33.0 (AWD optional) |
As seen above, the Ford Endeavour 3.2L is the most powerful SUV in its class, although by a small margin, while the Isuzu has the least amount of torque, despite being a large 3.0L 4-cyl motor. The MU-X's automatic gearbox has one ratio less than the competition, and a manual option is not available. However, the MU-X is capable of averaging a fuel mileage of 13.8 km/L, and strikes a good balance between power and fuel efficiency.
The Endeavour is the biggest car with a high ground clearance that's just marginally higher than that of the MU-X. While it may not be as long as the Endeavour, the MU-X is taller and equally wide. Wheelbase and ground clearance are only 5 mm shorter than the Endeavour, but still longer than the Toyota Fortuner and Hyundai Santa Fe. But the Santa Fe, all vehicles offer 7 seats.
As for pricing, the MU-X is the least expensive 7-seat ladder frame premium SUV in the segment, starting from an attractive INR 23.9 Lakhs. It's only sold in a single variant which comes with all the bells and whistles such as LED daytime running lights with projector headlamps, 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, roof rails, dual-tone ivory-grey interior, leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather seats, 6-way power adjustment for the driver seat, 7-inch touchscreen multimedia system and roof-mounted 10-inch DVD system.