Isuzu MU-X vs Toyota Fortuner vs Ford Endeavour: Competition check

The

mu-X

is

Isuzu

's new flagship SUV for the Indian market replacing the mu-7. This new SUV is priced from Rs 23.99 lakh , ex-showroom Delhi.

At the price, the Isuzu mu-X competes directly with two of the most popular SUVs on sale in India - the Toyota

Fortuner

and the

Ford Endeavour

. How does the mu-X compare? Let's find out.

All the three SUVs listed are good representations of what a full-sized, capable SUV is expected to be these days. In terms of overall dimensions, all three SUVs are quite close to each other though the

Ford

Endeavour wins this round by mere inches. With a ground clearance of 220mm, the Isuzu mu-X is only second to the the Ford Endeavour (with 225mm ground clearance) in this comparison. The Toyota Fortuner may be a better highway cruiser as it has the largest fuel-tank in this comparison at 80-litres.

All that brawn needs a powerful heart and all three SUVs get comparatively large engines. The Isuzu mu-X is only fitted with a single powerplant, a 3.0-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged diesel motor developing 177PS of maximum power and 380Nm of peak torque. This engine is paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission, the mu-X is not offered with a manual transmission option. The Ford Endeavour can be had with two engine options: a 2.2-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged diesel motor developing 160PS/385Nm paired to either a 6-speed manual (4WD) or a 6-speed automatic (RWD), or a 3.2-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged diesel developing 200PS/470Nm paired exclusively to a 6-speed automatic.

The Toyota Fortuner trumps the other two when it comes to powertrain options; The diesel variants of the SUV, regardless of drive type (AWD/RWD) are fitted with a 2.8-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged diesel developing either 177PS/420Nm (when paired to a 6-speed manual) or 177PS/470Nm (when paired to a 6-speed automatic). The Fortuner is unique in this comparison because it also gets a petrol motor under its hood; A 2.7-litre,4-cylinder, naturally aspirated motor developing 166PS/245Nm paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission and a 2WD drive system. While all SUVs in this comparison are fitted with shift-on-the-fly electronically actuating AWD systems, the Ford goes a step ahead and is offered with four different off-road drive modes.

With the prices ranging from Rs 24 lakh to Rs 32 lakh, these SUVs need to be fitted with enough equipment to make them a value-for-money proposition. In this regard, the Isuzu mu-X feels adequately equipped, but the feature list could do with more - bi-xenon projector headlamps, LED DRLs, electrically adjustable driver seat, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 8-speaker music system, 10-inch roof mounted multimedia screen are the highlights. In terms of safety enhancing features, the mu-X gets dual-airbags, ABS with EBD, traction control with ESC and hill-hold assist.

The Toyota Fortuner gets bi-beam LED projector headlamps, 8-way adjustable driver's seat, powered tailgate and paddle shifters on the automatic variants. Safety features on offer include 7 airbags, ABS with EBD and an active traction control system.

The Ford Endeavour is the most feature loaded SUV in this comparison, while not being the most expensive. Unique features include a panoramic sunroof, semi-auto parallel park assist, dual-zone climate control, active noise cancellation and power folding third-row seats. Safety features available include 7 airbags, ABS with EBD, traction control and hill-start assist.

If you were to solely look at the price list of these SUVs, the mu-X would look like the clear choice. The mu-X, priced at Rs 23.99 lakh for the 4x2 variant and Rs 25.99 lakh for the 4x4 variant. The Isuzu mu-X 4x4 is cheaper by Rs 2.64 lakh as compared to the next competitor, the Ford Endeavour. While it may seem like the best value-for-money SUV in this comparison, it does have the smallest list of features and limited powertrain/drivetrain options here.