The MU-X may look and feel a bit more basic than the Everest or Fortuner, but its tough Isuzu truck underpinnings is this SUV’s secret weapon. Isuzu also builds big commercial engines, designed to be reliable and robust, and that DNA is this engine.
Pros Great new engine Capable off-roader Decent third row
Cons Cabin is starting to age Boot is smaller than some rivals No advanced safety equipment
Like the D-MAX ute on which it's based, the evolution of Isuzu UTE's MU-X seven-seat SUV has remained relatively slow, its latest update headlined by extra torque from its 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel (now 130kW and 430Nm, up from 380Nm) and a new six-speed automatic transmission (previously five).
Pros Rugged and practical Very comfy ride Drop-down rear video unit
Cons Lacking some new safety tech Turbo lag from a standing start Rather basic cab trim
Pros Fresh new design that's still instantly recognizable as an icon A trim to suit (almost) every buyer Excellent suspension and off-road abilities Body panels come off easily
Cons Side mirrors stay on even when doors are off Rear and side visibility could be better Jeep has far more aftermarket support Too wide for Wrangler trails
An all-new off-road-focused SUV Offered in two- and four-door configurations Part of the sixth Bronco generation, revived for 2021
Pros Offers extraordinary level of customization Impressive all-terrain specifications Cool retro styling without being kitschy Smart off-road-specific technologies
Cons Base engine may be weak, especially for the four-door Manual transmission only offered on the base engine
The 2021 Ford Bronco is a throwback SUV in all the best ways.
Pros Bronco’s back Awesome retro looks Removable doors and roof Sturdy powertrains Ready to hit the trail out of the box
Cons How much will top trims cost? How bouncy will the ride be? Swing gate could be a problem in cities Fuel economy not likely to be great No word on hybrids, yet
Ford resurrects the Bronco nameplate for 2021, and it emulates the old-school vibe and off-road pedigree of its iconic mid-1960's predecessors. Now that Ford has revealed the thing, we have a much better idea of its capabilities and specifications. The new Bronco will arrive in dealerships in spring 2021.The base two-door Bronco starts at just under $30,000, but upgrading to upper trims gets expensive quickly. Our ideal configuration would be a four-door with the more powerful engine, and it needs to have the off-road hardware to live up to its roots. That points us towards the Bronco Wildtrack, which comes standard with 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels and huge 35-inch mud-terrain tires.
