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When it comes to large ute-based SUVs, the Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X are the people’s choices.
The two models account for almost 30,000 new car sales in 2023, and the sales race between the pair is head-to-head heading into the second half of 2024.
Buyers have plenty of choice in both models, with a combined 15 options between them, making it difficult to decipher which is the best buy.
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This is especially true near the top of the tree, where the Everest Sport 4WD and MU-X LS-T 4×4 are separated by fine margins.
With that in mind, here’s a head-to-head comparison of these two fierce rivals.
Pricing
The Sport 4WD is the second most expensive option in the Everest range, costing $73,740 before on-road costs.
It’s $4340 more expensive than the MU-X LS-T, which was priced under $70,000 before it hit the roads, despite being the top of the range MU-X.
You’ll also pay a Ford premium when comparing base models, as the Ambiente is nearly $7,000 more expensive than the equivalent MU-X LS-M.
Actuators and efficiency
These large SUVs draw power from 3.0-liter turbodiesel engines, but the Everest powertrain features two additional cylinders.
The Ford produces 184kW and 600Nm from its turbodiesel V6, 44kW and 150Nm more than the turbodiesel four-cylinder in the Isuzu.
Both cars will change gears themselves, although the 10-speed Everest has more gear ratios than the six-speed MU-X.
The Ford is slightly thirstier than the Isuzu, though, with a claimed fuel consumption of 8.5L/100km – 0.2L/100km more than the MU-X.
Dimensions
The Ford Everest is larger than the Isuzu MU-X in every dimension and weighs an extra 288kg.
Despite the size advantage, the Everest can’t match the MU-X for boot space – the Isuzu has 52L more space with three rows of seats in place and 315L with two rows folded down.
Note that the two brands use different measurement standards and in our experience actually have similar boots.
Both cars boast a braked towing capacity of 3,500 kg.
Service and warranty
The Everest is backed by a five-year unlimited mileage warranty, similar to Ford’s wider range.
Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km and the first five services are priced from $379 under the Blue Oval’s capped price service program – $50 more per service than on pre-MY24 vehicles.
The 2024 Isuzu MU-X is covered by a six-year, 150,000 km warranty. Up to seven years of roadside assistance is available when scheduled at an Isuzu dealer.
Logbook service is required every 12 months or 15,000 km, whichever comes first, excluding the free quarterly service.
Safety
The Ford Everest has been awarded five safety stars by ANCAP.
It scored 86 percent for the protection of adult passengers, 93 percent for the protection of children, 74 percent for the protection of vulnerable road users and 86 percent for safety assistance.
The five-star rating applies to the entire Everest range and is based on tests carried out on the closely related Ford Ranger ute.
The 2024 Ford Everest comes with the following standard safety equipment:
- Nine airbags
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Reverse AEB
- Stopping after impact
- Lane Keeping Assistant
- Lane departure warning
- Driver attention warning
- Dead spot monitoring
- Reversing camera
- Front and rear parking sensors
The Isuzu MU-X has a five-star ANCAP safety rating issued in July 2022 after redesigning the driver’s knee airbag and dashboard.
It received an adult occupant protection rating of 86%, a child protection rating of 85%, a vulnerable road user protection rating of 69% and a safety assistance rating of 84%.
The 2024 Isuzu MU-X range comes standard with the following safety features:
- Eight airbags
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Head-on collision warning
- Stopping after a collision
- Dead spot monitoring
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Blind spot monitoring and automatic rear cross traffic cut-out (NEW)
- Lane departure warning
- Lane Keeping Assistant
- Emergency lane keeping
- Land Support System Switch
- Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
- Trailer sway control
- Traffic sign recognition
- Stopping with the wrong pedal
- Rear parking sensors
- Reversing camera
Isuzu MU-X LS-U variants and above also get front parking sensors and tire pressure monitoring.
Standard features
The Ford Everest Sport 4WD comes standard with the following features:
- All-season tires
- LED reflector headlights
- C-shaped LED daytime running lights
- Front fog lights
- LED taillights
- Black side steps
- Rain sensor wipers
- Two front towing hooks
- Steel bottom protection (only for 4×4 model)
- 8.0-inch digital instrument panel
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Built-in modem
- Wireless phone charger
- Satellite navigation
- DAB+ digital radio
- Built-in voice assistant
- FordPass with remote start
- Two-zone climate control
- Mat for the driver
- Electrochromatic rearview mirror
- Dash mounted pull-out cup holders
- Open shelf for storage
- Adjusting the tilt and reach of the steering wheel
- Keyless entry with push button start
- Vinyl console cover
- Electronic parking brake
- e-Shifter gearshift lever
- Rear differential lock
- Button-selectable driving modes
- Protective glass
- Electric tailgate
- Heated, power-folding side mirrors with puddle lamps
- 12-inch Sync4 touchscreen for infotainment
- Seven seats
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Insoles for driver and passenger
- Upper glove
- Offroad screen
- Rotary drive mode selector
- Sand, mud/track driving modes
- Black roof racks
- Zonal lighting
- 20 inch black alloy wheels with matching spares
- Black exterior accents
- Black 3D lettering on the lid
- Sound system with 10 speakers
- Unique leather upholstery with “SPORT” embossing.
- Unique color accents in the interior
- 10-way electric driver’s seat with memory
- Eight-way power passenger seat
- Heating and ventilation of the front seats
MORE ▼: Everything Ford Everest
The Isuzu MU-X LS-T 4×4 comes standard with the following features:
- Automatic LED headlights
- Automatic high beams
- LED daytime running lights
- LED combination rear lights
- Dark gray metallic tail light accents
- Rain sensor wipers
- Lower front steel plate
- Steel plate protectors
- Wireless Apple CarPlay
- With Android Auto cable
- DAB+ digital radio
- 4.2-inch digital multifunction display
- Second and third row of vents
- Electric parking brake
- Keyless entry
- Start with a button
- 4×4 Selectable Disc
- Rear differential lock button
- Carpet flooring
- Seven seats
- Off-highway tires
- Tungsten silver and chrome grille
- Heated mirrors in body color with built-in indicators
- Magnetic aluminum side steps
- Magnetic fog lights
- Magnetic lining of the bumper
- Magnetic rails on the roof
- Electric tailgate with hands free
- Protective glass
- Front parking sensors
- 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Satellite navigation
- Sound system with eight speakers
- Two-zone climate control
- Passage door lock
- Tire pressure monitoring
- Leather steering wheel
- Leather gear selector
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Sun visor mirrors
- Electric driver’s seat lumbar support
- 20-inch machined two-tone alloy wheels
- Remote engine start
- Ambient interior lighting
- Center console upper guide light
- Stitched leatherette door and center console trims
- Upholstery with leather accent
- Heated front seats
- Eight-way electric driver’s seat adjustment with electric lumbar support
- Four-way power front passenger seat adjustment
MORE ▼: All Isuzu MU-X
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