Isuzu MU — Generations, Specs & Review

Isuzu MU: Which Version Should You Buy?

The Isuzu MU version to choose depends mainly on whether you prioritize ground clearance, diesel torque, gasoline power, transmission type, or RWD versus AWD. The 1 generation, produced from 1989 to 1998, offers 240 mm of ground clearance and a choice between the 2.6 AT, 2.6 MT, 2.8 AT, and 2.8 MT. The 2 generation, produced from 1998 to 2004, reduces clearance to 205 mm but adds more powerful 3.0 MT, 3.0 AT, and 3.2 AT options. Both generations are SUV cabriolets. The catalogue contains 2 generations and 10 version entries in total, including drivetrain variants that share the same version name.

Isuzu MU generations: what changed?

The 1 generation ran from 1989 to 1998 as an SUV cabriolet with 4 versions. Its 2.6-liter Gasoline engine produces 120 hp and 204 Nm, while the 2.8-liter Diesel produces 110 hp and 226 Nm. Every listed version has AWD, an 83-liter fuel tank, 240 mm of ground clearance, independent spring front suspension, ventilated disc front brakes, and disc rear brakes. Buyers can choose either a 4-speed Automatic or a 5-speed Manual transmission with both engines.

The 2 generation ran from 1998 to 2004 as an SUV cabriolet with 6 version entries. Its 3.0-liter Diesel produces 145 hp and 294 Nm, while the 3.2-liter Gasoline engine produces 208 hp and 290 Nm. This generation offers RWD and AWD configurations, an 85-liter tank, 205 mm of ground clearance, and independent spring suspension at both ends. Compared with the 1 generation, tank capacity rises by 2 liters, while ground clearance falls by 35 mm. The most powerful engine gains 88 hp over the earlier 2.6-liter Gasoline engine.

Isuzu MU engine specs and version comparison

Generation and version	Power	Torque	Displacement	Fuel	Cylinders and layout	Boost	Gearbox	Drive
1 generation — 2.6 AT	120 hp at 4600 rpm	204 Nm at 2600 rpm	2559 cc	Gasoline, 95	4, Inline	No	4-speed Automatic	AWD
1 generation — 2.6 MT	120 hp at 4600 rpm	204 Nm at 2600 rpm	2559 cc	Gasoline, 95	4, Inline	No	5-speed Manual	AWD
1 generation — 2.8 AT	110 hp at 3600 rpm	226 Nm at 2300 rpm	2771 cc	Diesel	4, Inline	Turbo	4-speed Automatic	AWD
1 generation — 2.8 MT	110 hp at 3600 rpm	226 Nm at 2300 rpm	2771 cc	Diesel	4, Inline	Turbo	5-speed Manual	AWD
2 generation — 3.0 MT, 145 hp, RWD	145 hp at 4100 rpm	294 Nm at 2000 rpm	2999 cc	Diesel	4, Inline	Turbo	5-speed Manual	RWD
2 generation — 3.0 AT, 145 hp, AWD	145 hp at 4100 rpm	294 Nm at 2000 rpm	2999 cc	Diesel	4, Inline	Turbo	4-speed Automatic	AWD
2 generation — 3.0 MT, 145 hp, AWD	145 hp at 4100 rpm	294 Nm at 2000 rpm	2999 cc	Diesel	4, Inline	Turbo	5-speed Manual	AWD
2 generation — 3.0 AT, 145 hp, RWD	145 hp at 4100 rpm	294 Nm at 2000 rpm	2999 cc	Diesel	4, Inline	Turbo	4-speed Automatic	RWD
2 generation — 3.2 AT, 208 hp, AWD	208 hp at 5400 rpm	290 Nm at 3000 rpm	3165 cc	Gasoline, 95	6, V-shaped	No	4-speed Automatic	AWD
2 generation — 3.2 AT, 208 hp, RWD	208 hp at 5400 rpm	290 Nm at 3000 rpm	3165 cc	Gasoline, 95	6, V-shaped	No	4-speed Automatic	RWD

The 1 generation 2.6 AT and 2.6 MT produce about 46.9 hp per liter, compared with about 39.7 hp per liter for the 2.8 AT and 2.8 MT. The Diesel alternatives nevertheless provide 22 Nm more torque than the 2.6-liter Gasoline versions, and their peak torque arrives 300 rpm earlier.

In the 2 generation, every 3.0 MT and 3.0 AT produces about 48.3 hp per liter. Both 3.2 AT drivetrain variants produce about 65.7 hp per liter. The 3.2 AT therefore has 63 hp more than the 3.0-liter Diesel, but the Diesel has 4 Nm more torque and reaches peak torque 1000 rpm earlier.

The 1 generation Gasoline engine uses distributed injection (multi-point), a compression ratio of 8.3, and a bore and stroke of 92.6 × 95 mm. Its 2.8-liter Diesel has a compression ratio of 17 and a bore and stroke of 93 × 102 mm. The 2 generation 3.0-liter Diesel uses a compression ratio of 19 and a bore and stroke of 95 × 104 mm. The 3.2-liter Gasoline engine uses distributed injection (multi-point), 4 valves per cylinder, a compression ratio of 9.1, and a bore and stroke of 93.4 × 77 mm.

Performance, top speed, and fuel economy

For every 1 generation version—2.6 AT, 2.6 MT, 2.8 AT, and 2.8 MT—the 0–100 km/h time is not measured. Top speed is not measured, and city, highway, and combined fuel consumption are not measured.

For the 2 generation 3.0 MT and 3.0 AT versions, including both RWD and AWD configurations, the 0–100 km/h time is not measured. Top speed is not measured. City, highway, and combined fuel consumption are also not measured.

For both 2 generation 3.2 AT versions, the listed top speed is 180 km/h. Their 0–100 km/h time is not measured, while city, highway, and combined fuel consumption are not measured. The supplied data therefore supports a top-speed comparison only for the 3.2 AT; it does not support an mpg or acceleration ranking between versions.

Isuzu MU dimensions, weight, clearance, and tank capacity

Exterior length, width, and height are not measured for any listed Isuzu MU version. Wheel sizes are also not measured for every version.

All 1 generation versions have 240 mm of ground clearance and an 83-liter fuel tank. Kerb weight and gross weight are not measured for the 2.6 AT, 2.6 MT, 2.8 AT, or 2.8 MT.

All 2 generation versions have 205 mm of ground clearance and an 85-liter fuel tank. The RWD 3.0 MT has a kerb weight of 1690 kg and a gross weight of 2110 kg, giving it a 420 kg difference between gross and kerb weight. The AWD 3.0 MT weighs 1545 kg with the same 2110 kg gross weight, producing a 565 kg difference. Based strictly on these entries, the AWD 3.0 MT is 145 kg lighter and has about 10.7 kg per horsepower, versus about 11.7 kg per horsepower for the RWD 3.0 MT.

Kerb weight is not measured for either 3.0 AT. Both have a gross weight of 2110 kg. The RWD 3.0 AT has rear Drum brakes, while the AWD 3.0 AT has rear Disc brakes; both use front Disc brakes.

The AWD 3.2 AT weighs 1680 kg and has a gross weight of 2245 kg, a difference of 565 kg. The RWD 3.2 AT weighs 1615 kg and has a gross weight of 2110 kg, a difference of 495 kg. The RWD version is 65 kg lighter. Its weight-to-power figure is about 7.8 kg per horsepower, compared with about 8.1 kg per horsepower for the AWD version.

Which Isuzu MU version should you choose?

Choose the 1 generation 2.6 MT if you want the more powerful of the early engines with a 5-speed Manual and AWD. Its 120 hp output exceeds that of the 2.8 MT by 10 hp, although its 204 Nm torque figure is 22 Nm lower. The 2.6 AT provides the same engine output with a 4-speed Automatic.

Choose the 1 generation 2.8 MT when Diesel fuel, Turbo boost, AWD, a 5-speed Manual, and the early model’s 240 mm clearance matter more than maximum power. The 2.8 AT retains the same 110 hp and 226 Nm but substitutes a 4-speed Automatic. Neither gearbox choice changes the published engine output.

Within the 2 generation, choose a 3.0 MT or 3.0 AT when low-rev torque is the priority. Every 3.0-liter Diesel version produces 294 Nm at 2000 rpm, which is the highest torque and lowest torque-peak speed in the catalogue. The 5-speed Manual is available as RWD or AWD, while the 4-speed Automatic is also available with either drivetrain.

The 2 generation 3.2 AT is the power-focused choice. Both drivetrain variants produce 208 hp and 290 Nm and reach 180 km/h. Compared with the 3.0-liter Diesel, the 3.2 AT adds 63 hp but gives up 4 Nm, while its torque peak occurs at 3000 rpm instead of 2000 rpm. Choose the AWD 3.2 AT for AWD and a 2245 kg gross weight; choose the RWD 3.2 AT for a 65 kg lower kerb weight and a 135 kg lower gross weight.

For maximum listed clearance, the 1 generation is the clear choice at 240 mm. For maximum power, select either 208 hp 3.2 AT. For maximum torque, select any 145 hp 3.0 MT or 3.0 AT. For the strongest combination of the listed power and kerb-weight figures, the RWD 3.2 AT has the lowest calculated weight-to-power ratio at about 7.8 kg per horsepower. Prices, current sale listings, reliability records, and problem data are not measured, so they cannot be used to rank these versions.