We are now considering getting either a '21 or '22 Pajero Sport or Isuzu MU-X. Don't know much about them at all.
Interested to see if anyone has either a Pajero Sport or Isuzu MU-X and why did you ended up choosing it over other 4x4's?
Currently have '22 Carnival.
Thanks for your reply.
Have you had any of the rust issues with the MUX?
No. What rust issues?
Edit: we have current model MUX. Which one are you looking at? I thought '21 was changeover to the new shape.
The MUX and DMAX are notorious for having structural failures with cracking to the frame in the engine bay. Isuzu have fobbed of the warranty claims citing misuse and modifications from bull bars etc causing the problems.
I wouldn't touch either of them. Worth a read below, the customer service from Isuzu seems to be pretty shithouse.
https://www.drive.com.au/news/isuzu-d-max-and-mu-x-structura…
https://www.newd-max.net/viewtopic.php?t=1364&start=140
Thats the old model. Havent heard any issues with that on new model.
I'd be more worried about the shit service and support from Isuzu for what is a well know issue. People were screwed over and left with unroadworty cars to fix on their own dime. Repairs that easily went over 10k in some circumstances.
Not a company I would be buying a vehicle from after their shenanigans.
For work, we have the DMAX, Ford Ranger & Toyota Landcruiser. The service from Isuzu regarding a warranty issue has been terrible. I also would no longer buy Isuzu.
But Maserati have a sale on at the moment
A couple of friends have Pajero Sports, and love them. Both do well with a caravan on the back and loaded with the family.
Don't know much about the MU-Xs - I have heard questionable things about Isuzus after sales support (in the case of something going wrong), but every manufacturer has their sticking points.
Plenty of YouTube reviews available - I'd start with Redriven and stretch to good old John Cadogan (AutoExpert) if you can stand him.
Woah there. You need to be very aware of GVM, ATM & GCM limits before you make any comments on a vehicle doing well loaded with a family and pulling a van. Both of these cars particularly the Pajero have restricted limits that have to be worked within otherwise you are illegal on the road.
You need to be very aware of GVM, ATM & GCM limits….
Regularly tow myself, am very aware… hence my mention they do well
comments on a vehicle doing well loaded with a family and pulling a van
Their Pajero sports tow well (braking/cornering/acceleration), with their loads, within the legal weight limits.
particularly the Pajero have restricted limits
“restricted weight limits” - no. They have lower braked towing capacities and GCM than some competing vehicles - yes. Just because it’s legal to tow even more weight with other cars, doesn’t make it a good idea
Woah there.
Also, not a horse
May I suggest the new Range of Everest? Sports model.
The interior tech and 3.5T pulling power is amazing.
Also amazing is the amount of them you see on the side of the road with the bonut up.
I dont have one but the latest model is a different car, shares its engine with the VW Amorok. A solid 3l diesel, and 10 speed transmission, a very gutsy combination. Would pull like a Brahman Bull
I didn't think i could dislike Everest more, but then you mentioned they shared parts with Amarok.
@Jake D: Ironically VW are using all ford engines/drivetrains… some would argue they’re slightly better off for it
Solid 3.0 diesel? It's the engine they have been putting in land Rovers for years.
Found On Road Dead?
Fix or repair daily.
I don't think I could ever drive a Ford again.
both good cars and solid reliable workhorses.
isuzu will be more agricultural (to a small degree, given its more truck-based engine) but comes with absolutely legendary reliability (again truck engine origins).
the Mitsi would however be my pick for these reasons:
- still extremely solid engine (for 99% of us an engine lasting 1m km (isuzu) is no better than one that lasts 500k (mitsi))
- mitsi has a track record of good customer support (challengers from 2010 era have block design issues and MMA are replacing engines free of charge approx. 10 after warranty expired for most of these cars, many with 300k on the odo)
- mitsi will ride & drive better simply due to more modern architecture (not by a big shot though)
- the challenger has an 8 speed and auto trans cooler stock (will be reliable and smoother at highway speeds)
- most importantly: the PS has Super-Select II allowing 4WD to be used on tarmac surfaces, which allows for much greater traction and safety (esp in the wet)
I second you having a look at the latest Everest, one with a 3l diesel. Will stretch your budget but a way more flexible choice.
How so? They are all rated to tow similar weights. All true 4wd. 7 seats. Based on a ute.
It's a family car or daily driver, the mitsubishi is way more comfortable.
Family runabout car.
Proably overkill unless youre towing or want to go off road.
go with a Rav4 or Outback/Forester, maybe you don't need a 4wd
I see your point but we want to do things like beach camping and the parks.
why everyone mentioned Everest got downvoted, the latest model is pretty promising, or would you consider a GWM Tank 300 if you don't have much to tow, it looks like a very capable 4x4 with style
The Tank would probably be more reliable than the Ford.
If you're looking at MUX, have you considered Holden trailblazer?
I didn't like drivetrain of MUX, felt like I was driving a truck (2014 model)
BTW - Pajero mean "(profanity)": in spanish. :)
our astra issues killed Holden for me.
Are there any years other than 21/22 that we should also consider?
I've had two 'real' Pajeros. The last, a 2007 gen 4 for 17 years. Traded it two months with 365,000 on the clock for an Outlander.
As for the Pajero Sport, I wouldn't touch one.
Wouldn't touch a MUX either.
are you able to please tell me why you bout the Outlander?
No worries.
I broke my hip and at my age my 4 wheel driving days were over plus, I needed something easy to get in and out of. I didn't go for the AWD model or the diesel.
Just came back from a 1,500k trip in central NSW. Fuel average 7.4 litres per 100ks.
ahhhhh now I am second guessing my list!
Maybe it is worth having a look at the Outlander too
Do you have any reasons as to why not?
I wouldnt have apajero sport because i think they look ugly, but id have a challenger (which was the preceeding model) if it suited my needs. I dont have a problem with the Mitsubishi drivetrain. superselect is a good system - better than the part time 4wd in the MUX.
The drivetrain is great as is the superselect system.
Yes there are dog ugly.
They have numerous problems including handbrake not releasing, DPF, turbo hoses, some have reported gearbox hunting, overheating as some Challengers did, Abs ++
A 2.4 litre engine with a towing capacity of 3.1 tonne is fanciful long term.
With the weight chart below towing 3100 legally is but a dream.
GCM 5475
GVM 2775
Kerb weight 2210
Ball weight 300
Payload available 265
Reduced max capacity 2625
If the Pajero Sports and Van are fully loaded, the Max Towing Capacity of 3100kg is over the GCM of 5400 Kg by 375kg. (GVM 2775kg + GTM 2700 Kg = 5475Kg) This means the max you can tow before reaching GCM is only 2625kg.
The above most likely is a concern to most if not all 4WD vehicles.
A 2.4 litre engine with a towing capacity of 3.1 tonne is fanciful long term.
Thats old school thinking. Plenty of rigs fowing decent loads with a 4cyl diesel. Theres not a lot of differenct in capacity between a mitsi 2.4 and all the other 2.xL turbo diesels that have hundreds of thousands of km on them.
With the weight chart below towing 3100 legally is but a dream…. The above most likely is a concern to most if not all 4WD vehicles.
That is true. There are vitually no vehicles that can tow their max rated capacity with anything lore than a driver, a toothbrush and a tank of fuel in the car.
Thats old school thinking. Plenty of rigs fowing decent loads with a 4cyl diesel. Theres not a lot of differenct in capacity between a mitsi 2.4 and all the other 2.xL turbo diesels that have hundreds of thousands of km on them.
I had a Gen 4 3.2 litre turbo diesel Pajero for 17 years. The motor in that also powered some Fuso trucks. Way back in the 80's I had a Gen 1 Pajero with the 2.3 turbo diesel.
That is true. There are vitually no vehicles that can tow their max rated capacity with anything lore than a driver, a toothbrush and a tank of fuel in the car.
Can't disagree with that.. Trouble is, uneducated Charlie that has only driven a Camry and never towed anything, sees the BS advertising thinking he can buy a whatever that claims it can tow 3 tonne. Purchases a Ranger and a dual axle off road van and off he goes.
Have an MUX. Like it. Didnt test back to back with the PS as i just didnt like the PS style Much preferred it over the fortuner that we did test Some of the MUX safety features are a bit trigger happy. Also have a dmax and find ita a little more atable when towing than the MUX. The MUX seems to be a little more hard work to tow with than the dmax. Havent taken it off road yet, but the dmax goes well off road so expect the MUX woukd be almost as good.
Friend had a PS a few years old but updated to the MUX and prefers the MUX in most aspects. Cant comment on what he prefers in the PS as i dont recall, but overall prefers the MUX. I think one reason was the MUX felt more stable wihile the PS felt a bit top heavy.