The King...

There’s also the Like 150i with Noodoe dashboard technology. It’s an interactive dash that connects to a smartphone via an app to the scooter for smart navigation. Its interface is customizable and allows riders to share with friends through the Noodoe the mu-X as well. It’s perfectly capable of getting the mu-X around the city, with great response from the throttle at low rpm’s, thanks in part to full torque being available from 1,800 rpm to 2,600 rpm. With a full complement of seven people plus luggage, there is a slight bit of strain accelerating at fast highway speeds, but nothing that detracts from its overall performance. It definitely has enough pull going up mountain roads, slow trips to school, or around the farm. Even better still are the engine’s fuel economy figures, returning almost 12 km/L on combined city and highway driving.

While equipped with drum brakes at the rear as opposed to ventilated discs for the higher-trim variants, we never encountered any problems with braking power, as the mu-X was still capable of stopping at comfortable levels.

Thankfully, Isuzu also decided not to scrimp on the mu-X LS’ safety equipment. It still comes with anti-lock brakes with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution, as well as dual SRS airbags for the driver and passenger. Speed-sending power door locks are also present.

Offering room for seven people, a new efficient engine, and modern amenities, the Isuzu mu-X LS A/T offers so much more at its P1,300,000 price than what the Crosswind offered, at only around P100,000 more than what the Crosswind’s price tag was. It offers all of the benefits a mid-sized sevenseater SUV brings without any of the fluff, while remaining simple and relatively easy to maintain. Combined with Isuzu’s trademark reliability and dependability, that makes it a no-brainer choice as an entry level PPV that gets the job done, and does it right.