Isuzu recently launched the facelifted version of the MU-X in India, It is much more affordable than the Fortuner but is it enough?
Isuzu India recently launched the facelifted version of its most-expensive SUV in India, the MU-X. The full-size, seven-seater SUV takes on the likes of Toyota Fortuner but is much affordable in price.
The price of the Isuzu MU-X starts from Rs. 26.27 lakhs and it is available in two variants. The Toyota Fortuner, on the other hand, gets a price tag starting from Rs. 29.22 lakhs (for diesel)! Will Isuzu MU-X be a worry for the segment-leading Toyota Fortuner? Let’s find out.
Engine-Transmission options
Winner: Toyota Fortuner
The Toyota Fortuner is offered with a range of engine-transmission options. The Fortuner offers both the petrol and diesel engine options in the Indian market, giving a variety of choice to the customers. Toyota also offers a 4X4 system with both the petrol and diesel engine options.
Also, both the petrol and diesel engine options get the automatic transmission as an optional feature. In simpler words, customers get more choices with the Toyota Fortuner. The Isuzu MU-X is only offered in two variants and both are powered by diesel engine options. Isuzu also does not offer a choice of a manual transmission in the MU-X. There’s only 4X2 automatic and 4X4 automatic.
Price:
Winner: Isuzu MU-X
The Isuzu MU-X is certainly a much more value for price product. Isuzu has put an aggressive price tag on the SUV that will attract a lot of customers. The automatic 4X2 version of the MU-X is priced at Rs. 26.27 lakhs, which is almost Rs. 5 lakhs cheaper than the Toyota Fortuner’s 4X2 automatic diesel model.
Even the 4X4 automatic variant of the Isuzu MU-X carries a price tag of Rs. 28.23 lakhs while the similarly specced model with the Fortuner is priced at Rs. 32.93 lakhs! Price is a major factor in India and the Isuzu is miles ahead in this department.
Features:
Winner: Similarly specced
Both the SUVs are similarly loaded when it comes to the features. The Isuzu MU-X being affordable gets a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 3-row climate control system, cruise control, 8-speaker system, 6 airbags, emergency brake assist, traction control, electronic stability control, hill start assist, rear park camera and much more.
The Toyota Fortuner also offers a similar feature list. However, the Fortuner gets a 7-airbag system and the active traction control system, which is quite helpful on the off-road trails.
Brand value:
Winner: Toyota
Toyota has a massive brand value in India while the Isuzu remains almost unknown in the Indian market. Toyota has been around for a long while in the Indian market and the Fortuner has always remained one of the favourite cars in the market.
Toyota has a massive brand name in India and their vehicles are known for low maintenance cost and long life. The Fortuner enjoys the same in the market, which makes it the segment leader in the segment.
Peace of mind:
Winner: Toyota
Toyota has a massive aftermarket service network in India. Customers can be carefree while taking their vehicles to far off places because they know that a Toyota service centre would be nearby if the vehicle breaks down. The same is not true for Isuzu as it is still quite young in the Indian market and is still setting up across the country.
Will Isuzu threat the Toyota Fortuner?
Toyota Fortuner has remained the segment-leader for a long time in India now. Even the competitors like the Ford Endeavour could not replace the Fortuner from the top position. The Toyota Fortuner wins in all the aspects except for the value-for-money tag, which Toyota absolutely justifies with the product quality and service.
The Fortuner also offers more engine-transmission combinations and more choices to the customers. It would take something that is much more radical than the Isuzu MU-X to replace the Toyota Fortuner from the segment-leader position in India.