Isuzu MU-7 review, test drive

The first most noticeable thing about the Isuzu is its sheer size – it’s just 5mm short of the five-metre mark, which makes it substantially longer than the Fortuner. However, it isn’t as wide and is quite a bit lower than the Toyota as well. Still, it’s got the big, butch SUV look right. The toothy front grille and the functional intake scoop for the intercooler on the bonnet give it a menacing appearance from the front. The 3050mm wheelbase is long to the extent of looking a bit disproportionate. There are of course nice bits like the flared wheel arches that smoothly flow into the hefty looking foot boards, and the chunky, 245/70 R16 tyres mounted on rather tasty looking alloy wheels. Like the Endeavour, this car has massive windows, even in the last row, and Isuzu has also added hints of chrome in some places like the door handles, the exhaust tip and around the rear number plate.

Where the front is more battering ram, the rear is both subtle and handsome at the same time. The bumper protrudes outwards and the sunken-in fog lamps look quite nice. The wraparound tail-lights flow well with the rest of the body and we especially liked the black cladding, which is neatly integrated into the bumper and gives the otherwise simple looking rear some panache.

As is par for the class, the MU-7’s chassis is a body-on-ladder frame design. The four-cylinder engine is mounted longitudinally and powers the rear wheels. Suspension is via independent double wishbones up front and a pick-up truck leaf-spring configuration at the rear, while the brakes are discs on the front wheels and drums at the rear. Isuzu also offers a four-wheel-drive version in India.