Isuzu South Africa has confirmed that its bakkie-based 7-seater offroad family vehicle will be arriving on our shores before the end of the year.

The Isuzu MU-X is a 7-seater bakkie-based SUV that takes on the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Everest. Built on the Isuzu D-Max platform, the all-new Isuzu MU-X will be a big step up in comparison to its predecessor.

“The upcoming Isuzu MU-X is a game-changer for us, as it offers class-leading driver assistance technology, new state-of-the-art powertrains, and a luxurious interior designed for maximum comfort for seven occupants,” said Dominic Rimmer, Senior Vice President Technical Operations.

The all-new Isuzu MU-X will be sold with an arsenal of active/passive safety systems, plus modern connectivity solutions such as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The cabin is said to feature luxurious fittings and soft-touch surfaces, to give the vehicle a bit more of a premium feel.

Will the all-New Isuzu MU-X be built in SA?

The new model will not be built in South Africa, but instead will be imported from Isuzu’s Thailand plant and will also be sold in other African right-hand drive markets. “We are steadily on track to launch the next generation Isuzu MU-X in South Africa.

“Vehicle testing was successfully conducted late 2020 and we continue to test the vehicle under a number of conditions to ensure it is suitably prepared for South African conditions,” adds Rimmer.

Interestingly, the all-new Isuzu D-Max will be assembled at Isuzu’s plant in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape. Currently, the plant is undergoing conversion for the new model’s production and the all-new SA-built Isuzu D-Max will be hitting showroom floors in 2022.

We’ll have confirmation on the specifications, engine choices, and pricing of the all-new Isuzu MU-X closer to the vehicle’s launch at the end of 2021.

Further Reading

Isuzu MU-X 2020 Review

All-new 2021 Isuzu MU-X revealed

Isuzu MU-X 2020 Specs and Price