Overview
ISUZU Ute Australia brought its adventure-ready MU-X Tour Mate back late-last year, offering an out-of-the-box solution designed for Australians that tow and tour with their 4×4.
Based on the top-spec LS-T 4×4, the Tour Mate is priced at $79,990 driveaway, but it’s a decent chunk of change more than the standard LS-T at $73,400 plus on-road costs.
For the extra cash the Tour Mate scores around $9,000 worth of genuine accessories, which Isuzu claims is a saving of over $7,600 compared to buying an LS-T and retrofitting the options.
Equipment includes frontal protection via a satin black steel bullbar with integrated parking sensors and LED fog lights, a heavy-duty tow bar kit with a 50mm ball, a 12-pin flat wiring harness, and an electronic brake controller.
It also scores a few little extras like rear slimline weathershields, rubber floor mats, a rear cargo liner, a wireless phone charger and Tour Mate exterior badging.
Under the bonnet, the Tour Mate uses Isuzu’s longstanding (and bulletproof) 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine producing 140kW/450Nm, with the newer, less-powerful 2.2-litre engine relegated to lower-spec models.
Drive is handled by a six-speed automatic transmission with a dual-range transfer case (2H, 4H, and 4L), with a rear locking diff’ as standard and Isuzu’s Rough Terrain Mode which retains traction control across the front axle when the rear locker is enabled.
Because it’s based on the flagship LS-T, the Tourmate’s seven-seater cabin gets leather-accented upholstery with variably heated front seats (8-way power adjustable for the driver), dual-zone climate control, ambient lighting, and a 9.0-inch infotainment system with navigation and wireless smartphone mirroring.
Like the LS-T, it rolls on 20-inch two-tone alloy wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Dueler rubber and carries an 800mm wading depth alongside 235mm of ground clearance, so there’s no real off-road advantage for the Tour Mate.
All MU-X models score Isuzu’s full ADAS suite, eight airbags, and a five-star ANCAP rating that carries over to the Tour Mate.
The Tour Mate comes with a six-year/150,000km warranty and five years of fixed-price servicing capped at $469 per year or 15,000km intervals (whichever comes first).
Driving Impressions
Stepping into the MU-X Tour Mate, it feels every bit like an LS-T, but that’s the point, really, because most of its appeal is in the exterior accessories it wears.
In a market where buying a 4×4 wagon usually means taking delivery and immediately spending weeks, if not months, chasing down a bullbar and tow setup, the Tour Mate does make sense.
For buyers looking to avoid the post-purchase run around, or who aren’t interested in researching aftermarket options (we all know it’s a rabbit hole), the Tour Mate presents a sensible turnkey solution. It doesn’t, however, feature a lift kit and most serious tourers will also want smaller 17- or 18-inch wheels and bigger tyres.
In terms of how it performs, it’s just like any other MU-X, which is a good thing.
The 3.0-litre turbodiesel isn’t the quietest or the most powerful option in this segment, but its 450Nm of torque is delivered low in the rev range, and it’s never working particularly hard.
The six-speed also just works, but is starting to feel a bit light on ratios when compared to eight- or ten-speed competitors these days. The engine’s low-down pull means six gears is just fine, though, and this box never hunts around or trips over.
It also steers and stops like a vehicle this size should, and there’s plenty of analogue switches inside so it’s a nice simple affair to operate.
Ride comfort is decent, but the rear end is noticeably firm without any weight in the back or a trailer in tow, which is amplified by the 20-inch wheels and lower-profile rubber.
However, throw in a couple of kids, some camping gear, and hitch up a trailer, and the rear suspension settles down well, which is ultimately what the Tour Mate is made to do.
Off the beaten track, the Tour Mate retains all the off-road credibility of the standard MU-X, capable of handling more than most owners will throw at it.
Rough Terrain Mode has transformed the MU-X off-road since its arrival a few years ago, basically keeping the front axle traction control turned on while the rear diff is locked. It sounds simple, but not all ute-based wagons can do this and it makes a big difference when you’re near the limit.
The Tour Mate is an all-round nice place to be, with supportive seats and a no nonsense dash layout, although the 9.0-inch infotainment screen and 7.0 driver display are starting to feel a little bit dated compared to larger, crisper competitor options.
At $79,990 drive away, the MU-X Tour Mate isn’t cheap and it competes with the arguably better-equipped Ford Everest Tremor (from $78,440 plus on-roads), but for baked-on Isuzu fans – and I own a D-Max myself, so fall into that category – it’s the best-equipped MU-X model out of the box.
Just fit a lift kit, some bigger rubber, and you’ve got a very capable touring rig.