2023 Isuzu MU-X vs Mitsubishi Pajero Sport comparison review

Isuzu MU-X

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

For many years, four-wheel drive wagons like the Toyota LandCruiser and Land Rover Discovery were the go-to affordable $50K off-roaders, but have long since become premium, six-figure luxury SUVs.

Vehicles like these left a vacuum, soon filled by the likes of separate chassis, ute-based wagons such as the Isuzu MU-X and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.

Both Isuzu and Mitsubishi are well-known brands with relatively well-established dealer networks. While they are not perceived as bargain basement nameplates, neither are they premium brands. Nonetheless, of the mainstream brands, these two are the cheapest dual-range separate chassis 4x4s you can buy in Australia.

The Pajero Sport is closer to the end of its production cycle than the start, with a replacement coming by 2025.

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In fact, Mitsubishi's next Triton (on which the Pajero Sport is based) is due in February next year. The current Pajero Sport, while refreshed a couple of times – most recently in 2020 – was first released in 2015.

Meanwhile, the D-Max ute-based Isuzu MU-X was only launched as a fresh model in 2021, and was updated earlier this year.

These might not be luxury SUVs but are well-featured with tech and safety gear. They offer all the versatility a family could ask for in a vehicle, with seven seats (except the Pajero Sport GLX), 4x4 off-road ability (although cheaper, less popular 4x2 models are also available) and relatively high towing capacity.

Here we are focusing on the 4x4 models from each model line only.

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JUMP AHEAD

• Pricing and features
• Comfort and space
• On the road
• Ownership
• VERDICT
• Overall scoring
• Specifications
• Scores from single car reviews

Pricing and features

If every dollar saved is a win, then the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has an advantage here.

At entry level, the GLX 4WD represents an almost $5000 saving over the Isuzu MU-X LS-M 4x4. The key point of difference here is that the Mitsubishi is a five-seater only in GLX trim, while all the Isuzu MU-X variants are seven-seaters as standard.

Where the MU-X has an advantage across all models is in its 3500kg (braked) towing capacity (with 350kg tow ball download limit) against the lower 3100kg/310kg (braked) towing limit for all Pajero Sports.

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The Pajero Sport range counters with its standard eight-speed auto over the Isuzu’s six-speed, and the Mitsubishi Super Select II transfer case.

Mitsubishi's 4WD system gives you the addition of an all-wheel-drive setting that can be used on dry, paved roads. In the Isuzu (like all part-time 4WDs), you would likely do transmission damage if you forgot to select 2WD from 4WD high as the road dried out.

The two entry models – LS-M and GLX – share a lot of standard features from adaptive cruise control, dusk-sensing bi-LED headlights (the Isuzu’s also have an auto high beam function), rain-sensing wipers, one-touch power windows, push-button start, side steps, rear-view camera, rear parking sensors, lane-change assist, autonomous emergency braking and a rear differential lock.

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Mitsubishi's spec advantages over the Isuzu at this entry-level point include built-in sat-nav, power tailgate, power-folding side mirrors, roof rails and keyless entry.

The base MU-X LS-M counters with seven seats over the Pajero Sport GLX’s five seats, and offers more safety gear at this trim level, such as speed sign recognition, post-collision braking, misacceleration mitigation, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert,  lane-departure prevention and lane-change assist.

Next up the MU-X ladder are the LS-U at $61,400, and the Pajero Sport GLS at $55,190 (prices plus on-road costs). There’s an even bigger advantage to the Mitsubishi here, with $6210 less to spend over the equivalent Isuzu LS-U.

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Standard gear for both includes power tailgate, power-folding side mirrors and rear privacy glass. The MU-X LS-U additionally features driver’s seat power lumbar adjustment.

Following the mid-spec variants are the luxury models, the MU-X LS-T and the Pajero Sport Exceed. Both have leather seats that are heated and power-adjustable at the front.

The Exceed, with the inclusion at this trim level of blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assist and rear cross-traffic alert, finally matches some of the safety features standard on all MU-Xs.

While the Isuzu offers a three-tier model range stops at LS-T, the Pajero Sport goes one better – beyond the luxury Exceed model there’s a sporty GSR variant at the top of the model walk.

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This is basically an Exceed with an appearance package including black-painted wheels and trim. There are no powertrain or suspension changes to make it more ‘sporty’.

Standard technology includes smartphone mirroring on both vehicles, but the MU-X starts with a 7.0-inch screen at the base LS-M grade before getting a 9.0-inch screen for LS-U and LS-T. All the Pajero Sports get an 8.0-inch screen.

The Pajero Sport range received a five-star ANCAP safety rating when released back in 2015, albeit under more lenient guidelines than today’s standards. Because the ANCAP ratings have changed, it is now technically ‘unrated’. Meanwhile, the Isuzu MU-X has current certification and was ANCAP crash-tested in 2022, with a maximum five-star result.

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Isuzu MU-X and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Fuel consumption, outputs, power and price

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The Ford Everest and Toyota Fortuner are Australia's closest competitors to the MU-X and Pajero Sport.

The large 4x4 wagon category starting under $60K has another seven contenders: the Ford Everest ($58,290-$77,000), GWM Tank ($46,990-$60,990), LDV D90 ($46,832-$52,095), Mahindra Scorpio ($41,990-$45,990) SsangYong Rexton ($47,990-$56,585), and Toyota Fortuner ($53,775-$66,755).

All prices except the GWM, LDV, Mahindra and SsangYong exclude on-road costs. What would have been included (until they became too expensive) are the Jeep Grand Cherokee ($77,950-$129,950) and Toyota Prado ($62,830-$87,468), also before on-road costs.

Of the above vehicles, the Ford Everest and Toyota Fortuner (both also based on ute models) are Australia's closest competitors to the MU-X and Pajero Sport.

SCORING

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Comfort and space

Even though both vehicles need a bit of a step up to get into, the Isuzu MU-X design is less obviously a body-on-chassis than the Pajero Sport, where the seats seem closer to the floor.

The Isuzu seems just slightly better finished and designed overall, with a smoother modern interior and marginally better quality materials. However, that doesn’t mean the Pajero Sport feels cheap, especially when you get to the leather-lined upper-tier Exceed and GSR models, which fact benefit from a fully digital dash that the MU-X lacks at any trim level.

Where the Pajero Sport most clearly shows its age inside the cabin is with the eight-inch touchscreen, which is small by modern standards and the user interface feels generations old when in operation. The second-row seat doesn’t slide forward for third-row access, which is surprising.

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Isuzu MU-X interior

Storage space: Isuzu MU-X v Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

The Pajero Sport's figures are not comparable to MU-X, as they are only measured to the top of the seatback, whereas Isuzu measures to the ceiling.

Externally slightly wider and longer, with a longer wheelbase, the MU-X footprint appears to be reflected by its interior measurements. It has slightly more headroom and legroom front and rear, and 40mm more front shoulder room than the Pajero Sport.

SCORING

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On the road

The Pajero Sport’s ability to adapt to both tarmac and dirt is one of its most endearing attributes.

Its 2.4-litre turbo-diesel engine may be slightly underpowered in its attempt to push the weight (2209kg for the GSR), and you can hear it working hard to do so, but it’s not a mitigating factor. The engine is actually relatively quiet, if a little lacking in performance.

The Mitsubishi is also not the most refined when travelling on long stretches of bitumen. However, the eight-speed automatic transmission feels well-calibrated and smooth by large SUV standards.

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Isuzu’s 3.0-litre engine always lets you know it’s a diesel, and the MU-X seems a little more noisy than the Pajero Sport when working hard – but then, you generally don’t need to push it as hard to deliver similar results.

The MU-X's six-speed transmission is also a little more assertive in shifts than the eight-speed in the Mitsubishi.

Even though the MU-X’s ride also hints at its commercial origins, it doesn’t have as abrupt a ride as the Pajero Sport. Steering feel is also better in the Isuzu, even though it has electric power assistance versus hydraulic in the Mitsubishi.

SCORING

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Ownership

Mitsubishi is industry-leading when it comes to aftersales support, with all vehicles covered by a five-year/100,000km vehicle warranty that extends to a 10-year/200,000km duration if owners keep scheduled servicing with Mitsubishi.

Servicing intervals are every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. Mitsubishi will also cap servicing costs for the first ten years or 150,000km, and includes 10 years of roadside assistance provided, again, those services are done yearly at Mitsubishi.

Meanwhile, the Isuzu MU-X comes standard with a six-year/150,000km warranty and seven years of roadside assistance when your scheduled services are done with Isuzu. The capped-price servicing program covers the first seven scheduled services, due every 12 months or 15,000km.

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SCORING

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VERDICT

That Mitsubishi has kept the Pajero Sport relatively fresh yet attractively priced over eight years in a fast-developing market is a testament to the clarity of the original design.

It offers plenty of tech and comfort features for not much money, and its 4WD system is very good – as is the efficient, if not very powerful engine. However, there’s no denying it is fast becoming outdated against more advanced and sophisticated machines – such as the MU-X.

The Pajero Sport also now lacks a safety rating and cannot offer the 3500kg towing capacity for those who consider it important.

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Although not the best-in-class off-road wagon, the Isuzu MU-X certainly offers a tonne of safety gear, good performance and reasonable ride and handling.

It is a little on the noisy side, its auto is lagging behind with only six forward speeds and the tailgate opens too low for taller people. Yet its overall competence makes it the winner overall in this comparison.

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OVERALL SCORING: 2023 Isuzu MU-X v 2023 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Specifications

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Scores from single car reviews

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Isuzu MU-X

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport